Tuscan Spaghetti Recipe

Perfect Tuscan Spaghetti Recipe: Homemade Italian Comfort in Minutes

Creamy tuscan spaghetti crafts ordinary pasta into a culinary masterpiece that dances with Mediterranean charm.

Rich, silky textures mingle with vibrant herbal notes and intense aromatic ingredients.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe balances complex flavors with remarkable simplicity.

Delicate cream harmonizes with robust seasonings, creating a symphony of taste sensations.

Each strand becomes a canvas for traditional Italian culinary artistry.

Elegant preparation ensures a restaurant-quality meal that impresses without complicated techniques.

Prepare to fall in love with a dish that celebrates comfort and refinement.

Tips for Perfect Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti

  • Perfectly Sear Scallops: Pat scallops dry with paper towels to remove moisture, ensuring a golden-brown crust and preventing steaming.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch with cold liquid before adding to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, silky sauce texture.
  • Balance Flavor Profiles: Use a dry white wine like pinot grigio to add depth without overpowering the delicate scallop taste.
  • Prevent Overcooking Seafood: Cook scallops just until opaque and slightly translucent in the center, typically 2-3 minutes per side to maintain tenderness.
  • Enhance Herb Freshness: Chop parsley right before serving to preserve its vibrant color and maximize aromatic qualities for a restaurant-quality presentation.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers of Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover spaghetti and scallops in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal the dish tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness. Consume refrigerated leftovers within 2-3 days for optimal taste and safety.
  • Reheat Stovetop: Gently warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and preserve the sauce's creamy texture.
  • Microwave Caution: If using a microwave, heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst. Cover the dish with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and prevent the scallops from becoming rubbery. Check the temperature to ensure even warming without overcooking the delicate seafood.

Best Pairings for Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti

  • Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: The wine's bright acidity and herbal notes perfectly complement the creamy sauce and delicate scallops, cutting through the richness while enhancing the dish's subtle flavors.
  • Match with Rustic Tuscan Bread: Serve warm, crusty Italian bread alongside to soak up the luxurious sauce, adding texture and extending the Mediterranean dining experience.
  • Serve with Lemon-Dressed Arugula Salad: A light, peppery salad with zingy lemon vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the creamy pasta, balancing the dish's richness and adding a vibrant green element to the plate.
  • Finish with Chilled Limoncello: This Italian lemon liqueur offers a refreshing, palate-cleansing finish that echoes the bright notes in the dish and provides a classic Mediterranean conclusion to the meal.

Fun Twists on Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti

  • Coastal Mediterranean Mix: Swap scallops for grilled shrimp and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired seafood experience.
  • Rustic Herb Fusion: Replace spinach with kale, incorporate fresh rosemary and thyme, and use pancetta instead of traditional sauce for a robust woodland flavor profile.
  • Protein-Packed Alternative: Substitute scallops with seared chicken breast and introduce roasted red peppers for a hearty, protein-rich version that maintains the creamy Tuscan essence.
  • Vegetarian Transformation: Remove seafood, add sautéed mushrooms and artichoke hearts, use vegetable broth, and sprinkle nutritional yeast for a plant-based rendition that keeps the original sauce's richness.

Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti: A Rich and Flavorful Pasta Dish

  • Savor Luxurious Flavor Combination: Indulge in a perfect balance of tender scallops, creamy sauce, and hearty spaghetti that brings together classic Tuscan ingredients with elegant seafood richness.
  • Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: Achieve restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes using simple techniques like searing scallops and creating a silky sauce, making sophisticated cooking accessible for home chefs.
  • Enjoy Nutrient-Packed Comfort Dish: Packed with protein from scallops, spinach's vitamins, and balanced macronutrients, this dish delivers delicious nutrition in every satisfying bite without compromising on flavor or texture.
  • Create Impressive Dinner Party Centerpiece: Transform an ordinary weeknight into a special occasion with this visually stunning and flavorful pasta that looks and tastes like a professional chef prepared it, guaranteed to wow dinner guests.

Key Ingredients for Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti

Seafood:
  • Scallops: Sweet and tender seafood that provides a delicate protein centerpiece with a rich, buttery flavor. Fresh sea scallops have a pearly white color and should smell like the ocean.
  • Spaghetti: Classic Italian pasta that serves as the base for absorbing the creamy sauce and providing a hearty texture.
Aromatics and Vegetables:
  • Onion, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create a robust and aromatic base for the sauce. Fresh garlic should be firm and bright white without sprouts.
  • Spinach: Delicate green that adds color, nutrition, and a subtle earthy taste to the dish.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Bright, sweet, and juicy components that provide bursts of freshness and acidity to balance the creamy sauce.
Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:
  • White Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the sauce with its acidic and fruity undertones. Choose a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base that enhances the overall flavor profile of the sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, smooth, and luxurious sauce texture that coats the pasta and scallops.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and gives it a silky, consistent texture.
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, clean garnish and subtle herbal note to finish the dish.

How to Make Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti

Step 1: Boil Spaghetti

Cook spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.

Step 2: Sear Scallops

Pat scallops dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear scallops for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and caramelized. Remove scallops and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet, sauté:
  • Diced onions
  • Minced garlic
Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Add:
  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream

Simmer and whisk in cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

Step 4: Add Fresh Vegetables

Stir in:
  • Fresh spinach leaves
  • Diced cherry tomatoes

Cook until spinach wilts and tomatoes are slightly softened.

Step 5: Combine and Coat

Return seared scallops to the skillet, coating them in the creamy sauce. Add cooked spaghetti and toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Plate the spaghetti and top with:
  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Additional black pepper

Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

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Tuscan Spaghetti Recipe

Tuscan Spaghetti Recipe


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4.6 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Tuscan spaghetti brings Italian countryside charm to your dinner table with rich, silky sauce and aromatic herbs. Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil create a comforting Mediterranean experience you’ll want to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds (907 grams) jumbo scallops
  • 1 pound (454 grams) spaghetti
  • 7 ounces (198 grams) baby spinach
  • 7 ounces (198 grams) sun dried tomatoes

Cooking Fats and Aromatics:

  • 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) butter
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
  • ½ cup (75 grams) diced onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped

Liquids and Seasonings:

  • ¾ cup (180 milliliters) white wine
  • 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) chicken broth
  • ¾ cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve of pasta water.
  2. Pat scallops dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil and sear scallops for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized. Transfer scallops to a separate plate.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté finely chopped onions until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Deglaze the skillet with dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
  5. Whisk cornstarch with of cold water to create a slurry. Slowly add to the sauce while stirring continuously to prevent lumps and help thicken the mixture.
  6. Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes until it reaches a smooth, velvety consistency. Stir in fresh spinach leaves and halved cherry tomatoes, cooking until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften slightly.
  7. Gently return seared scallops to the skillet, coating them with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.
  8. Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly, ensuring pasta is evenly coated with sauce and ingredients are well distributed.
  9. Plate the spaghetti, arranging scallops on top, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Seafood lovers rejoice: this quick-to-prepare dish transforms humble ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal.
  • Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing dinner guests with minimal kitchen stress.
  • Cornstarch works magic, creating silky sauce without lumps or complicated thickening techniques.
  • Deglazing the pan with wine captures golden flavor bits left from searing scallops, maximizing every taste.
  • Fresh spinach and tomatoes add vibrant color, nutritional boost, and bright Mediterranean flair to creamy pasta.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 710 kcal
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 1500mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 20g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 75g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg
Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Artisanal Bread Making
  • Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
  • Creative Dessert Presentation
  • Flavor Profile Development
  • Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

  • Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts. 

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.

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