⅓cupfreshly grated Parmesan cheeseplus additional for serving
2cupsbaby spinachroughly torn or chopped
⅓cupdiced sun-dried tomatoes
1tablespoonfreshly squeezed lemon juice
2tablespoonschopped fresh parsleyor basil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water (don’t forget!), then drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a Dutch oven or similar large, deep pot over medium heat. Once it melts, stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Sprinkle the flour over the top. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes, until the white bits of flour completely disappear and the mixture looks dark golden.
Slowly pour in the milk, pausing to whisk as you go to dissolve any lumps. Bring to a steady simmer. Let simmer, stirring often and scraping a wooden spoon along the bottom of the pot to keep the sauce from sticking, until the sauce is reduced, about 3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan until smooth.
Add the spinach a handful at a time, stirring until it wilts. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes. If your pasta is not ready yet, turn off the heat.
As soon as you drain the pasta, add it to the sauce and squeeze the lemon juice over the top. Stir gently to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen it. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Sprinkle with the parsley. Serve hot, with additional Parmesan sprinkled on top.
Notes
TO STORE: Store leftover spinach pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
TO REHEAT: Reheat in the microwave or over medium-low heat in a skillet with a splash of milk or broth.
TO FREEZE: This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, as the pasta will become soft after freezing and thawing. That said, if this doesn't bother you, you can freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.