Linguini With Creamy Spinach Food

LINGUINE WITH SPINACH AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook linguine according to package instructions. Drain.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat.
• Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic. Cook on medium heat for about 30 seconds, constantly stirring.
• Add 1 cup of half-and-half, paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer.
• Add 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese (half of what the recipe calls for). Stir for about 30 seconds or longer until the cheese melts. If the sauce is too thin, gradually add more cheese. Keep stirring around all of the skillet for a couple of minutes.
• Note: if the sauce gets too thick, add more half-and-half.
• Add spinach. Keep stirring on medium heat until the spinach wilts, about 1 minute.
• Add cooked and drained linguine to the sauce. Stir well.
• Taste the linguine and add more salt, if needed. Top with finely chopped fresh basil leaves.

CREAMY PASTA WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 min. Stir in tomatoes; cook 3 min. or until heated through, stirring frequently. Add cream cheese and lemon juice; cook and stir 3 to 5 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended.
• Place spinach in large bowl. Drain pasta, reserving 1/3 cup cooking water. Add pasta, reserved water, tomato mixture and 3 Tbsp. Parmesan to spinach; mix lightly. Serve topped with remaining Parmesan.

LINGUINI WITH CREAMY SPINACH

Steps:

• Remove any tough stems from the fresh spinach.
• In large frying pan, melt butter over low heat.
• Add green onions and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add spinach and salt and stir until wilted.
• Simmer until liquid evaporates from spinach, about 5 minutes.
• In large pot of boiling water, cook linguini according to package directions.
• Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
• Drain linguini and toss with 3/4 cup of pasta water, spinach mixture, cream cheese, parsley, and ground pepper.
• If sauce seems too thick, add the rest of the reserved pasta water, otherwise you can throw out the remaining 1/4 cup pasta water.
• Salt to taste.

CREAMY LINGUINI FOR TWO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for about 7 to 8 minutes or until al dente; drain. Remove from pot, cover and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Break up into small pieces and set aside.
• In the pasta pot, melt butter over medium-low heat and add cream; heat thoroughly, but do not allow to boil. Combine cooked pasta with butter/cream mixture. Add Parmesan cheese and bacon; toss well. Allow sauce to thicken for a few minutes; add ground white pepper and nutmeg. Serve immediately.