Servings
Font
Back
4.8 from 12 votes

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Sun-dried tomatoes, lemon-infused ricotta, and spinach meld together to make a creamy flavorful easy pasta sauce in this easy weeknight dinner recipe.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 472 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt divided, plus more for the pasta water
  • 12 ounces rigatoni
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest preferably organic
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves sliced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained, rinsed, and finely chopped
  • red pepper flakes
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach
  • grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, in a small bowl, stir together the ricotta, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 2 generous pinches of pepper flakes, the spinach, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until the spinach is wilted, 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Add the cooked pasta and toss for 2 minutes to warm through.
  5. Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl and add the ricotta mixture, along with 2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Toss until the pasta is well coated. (If the sauce is too thick, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.)
  6. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan on the side.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1portion Calories 472kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 75g (25%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Monounsaturated Fat 6g Cholesterol 10mg (3%) Sodium 864mg (36%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 4g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 472

% Daily Value*

Serving 1portion
Calories 472kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 75g 25%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 864mg 36%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 4g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.