Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, any short pasta, such as penne or rotini
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 12 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Mix until fully incorporated. Add the fresh spinach, a handful at a time, allowing it to wilt before adding more. Continue stirring until all the spinach has wilted into the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, any short pasta, such as penne or rotini
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 12 min - 5
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Mix until fully incorporated. Add the fresh spinach, a handful at a time, allowing it to wilt before adding more. Continue stirring until all the spinach has wilted into the sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.
⏱️ 2 min