Can I make this without heavy cream?

Yes. Half-and-half works well for a lighter version. You can also mix whole milk with a tablespoon of cream cheese to get a similar thickness. The sauce will be a little thinner but still rich and flavorful.

My sauce turned out too thick. How do I fix it?

Add the reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time and stir over low heat until the sauce loosens to the right consistency. The starch in the pasta water helps bind the sauce without watering it down.

Can I freeze ultra creamy Tuscan pasta?

Freezing is not recommended. Cream-based sauces tend to separate when thawed, leaving a greasy and grainy texture. This dish is best enjoyed fresh or stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Ultra Creamy Tuscan Pasta - The Best One-Pan Dinner With a Rich Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Name: Ultra Creamy Tuscan Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 oz fettuccine or linguine; 2 tbsp olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth); 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained well and chopped; 3 cups fresh spinach; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped; Optional: grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage

Ultra Creamy Tuscan Pasta

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A restaurant-quality one-pan dinner made with a luscious garlic parmesan cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Ready in just 30 minutes.

Author: James Carter Jr
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz fettuccine or linguine
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained well and chopped
3 cups fresh spinach
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
Optional: grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant and just lightly golden.
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, about 2 minutes.
Stir in Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. Stir gently and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach fully wilts.
Add the drained pasta and toss until fully coated. Add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick.
If using a cooked protein, stir it in now and warm through for 1 minute.
Remove from heat, stir in fresh basil, and serve immediately.

Notes

Always reserve pasta water before draining. It helps loosen the sauce without thinning the flavor.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Pre-shredded cheese can make the sauce grainy.
Drain sun-dried tomatoes well before adding to prevent the sauce from becoming oily.
Freezing is not recommended as the cream sauce may separate when thawed.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 580 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 420 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 65 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 16 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/ultra-creamy-tuscan-pasta/