Description
This Delicious Spinach Tomato Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato cream sauce. Cooked with paneer pasta and enhanced by Parmesan cheese and aromatic herbs, this recipe offers a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Proteins
- 17 ounces paneer pasta
Liquids and Dairy
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 to 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
Oils, Seasonings, and Spices
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Initial Ingredients: Gather all necessary ingredients: paneer pasta, chicken stock, chopped onion, heavy whipping cream, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomato oil, red chili flakes, minced garlic, fresh basil, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a pot over medium-high heat and add sun-dried tomato oil to warm.
- Cook Onions: Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until they become slightly brown, developing sweetness and flavor.
- Add Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent garlic from burning.
- Add Tomato Paste: Mix in tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes to deepen the tomato flavor.
- Build the Sauce: Slowly pour in chicken stock, deglazing the pan and blending with the tomato paste for a rich sauce base.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in heavy whipping cream, then add black pepper, kosher salt, and red chili flakes, mixing well to incorporate all seasonings.
- Add Pasta: Add paneer pasta to the pot and stir it into the sauce to coat evenly.
- Cook Pasta in Sauce: Reduce heat to low-medium and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is about 75% cooked.
- Add Spinach and Basil: Stir in fresh spinach and basil, allowing spinach to wilt down naturally in the sauce.
- Adjust Consistency: If spinach absorbs too much liquid, add a little water or chicken stock to keep sauce consistency creamy and smooth.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in freshly shredded Parmesan cheese until melted and evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
- Finalize and Serve: Turn off heat, mix everything thoroughly to a creamy texture, then serve into bowls.
- Optional Serving Suggestion: Top with grilled chicken for added protein and a more substantial meal.
- Enjoy: Savor your delicious, creamy spinach tomato pasta dish!
Notes
- Paneer pasta is a unique ingredient; if unavailable, substitute with standard pasta like penne or rigatoni.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken stock with vegetable stock.
- Adjust red chili flakes to control the spice level.
- Add extra chicken stock or water if the sauce becomes too thick during cooking.
- Grated Parmesan cheese adds depth; for a different flavor, try Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
