Creamy Tuscan Garlic Sauce (Printer-friendly)

Rich, velvety sauce with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. Ideal for pasta, chicken, or seafood.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 cup heavy cream
02 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Aromatics

04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
07 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned (oil-packed, drained)

→ Liquids

08 - 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth

→ Seasonings

09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and chopped shallot. Sauté for 2 minutes, until fragrant and translucent.
02 - Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to release their flavors.
03 - Pour in the broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
04 - Lower the heat and add the heavy cream. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Add the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to thicken, about 3–4 minutes.
06 - Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
07 - Season with salt, black pepper, and pepper flakes to taste. Serve hot over pasta, chicken, shrimp, or vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The sauce transforms everything from plain pasta to leftover chicken into something restaurant-worthy
02 -
  • The sauce will thicken considerably as it stands off the heat, so do not panic if it seems slightly thin in the pan
  • High heat will cause your cream to separate and turn grainy, so keep that temperature moderate and patient
03 -
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly than cold from the fridge
  • Grate your cheese while the butter is melting so everything is ready to add in quick succession

Go Back