– 1 pound linguine pasta
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 cup spinach (fresh or frozen, thawed and drained)
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Creating this amazing Creamy Linguine is simple if you follow these steps closely:
1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Make the Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir, allowing it to warm slowly. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Season the Sauce: Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
5. Add Spinach: Stir in the spinach into the cream sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and is evenly distributed.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained linguine to the skillet, tossing it gently to coat the pasta thoroughly with the creamy sauce.
7. Serve Hot: Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
These steps will guide you through the preparation of this incredible dish, ensuring a beautiful result that showcases your cooking abilities.