Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, any short cut like penne or rotini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 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 salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 5
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and the cheese has melted into the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, a handful at a time, stirring until it wilts down completely. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, any short cut like penne or rotini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 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 salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 5
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and the cheese has melted into the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, a handful at a time, stirring until it wilts down completely. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min