Ingredients
– 12 ounces whole wheat penne pasta
– 1 cup reserved pasta water
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 4 ounces (about 1/2 cup) sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 ounces cream cheese (can substitute with low-fat or heavy cream; use vegan cream cheese for dairy-free option)
– 2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated preferred)
– 2 cups loosely packed baby spinach
– 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
– nutritional yeast
– vegan cheese
Instructions
1-First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 12 ounces of whole wheat penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserving one cup of the pasta water before draining.
2-While the pasta cooks, in a large skillet, heat the 1 tablespoon of olive oil over low heat; add the 4 cloves of minced garlic and 4 ounces of sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
3-Next, add the 4 ounces of cream cheese and 3/4 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet, stirring over low heat until the cream cheese melts.
4-Then, mix in the 2 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese and 2 cups of loosely packed baby spinach, whisking until the cheese is mostly melted and the spinach is slightly wilted.
5-Finally, toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until evenly coated, adding more pasta water if needed to adjust consistency. Optional toppings include extra Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍅 Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and sauce texture – the oil helps create a richer, creamier sauce
🌿 Don’t overcook the spinach – it should just wilt slightly to maintain its bright color and nutrients
💧 Save extra pasta water when cooking to adjust sauce consistency later, as the pasta will continue to absorb liquid
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg