Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne, rotini, or fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28-ounce can canned diced tomatoes, undrained
- 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
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of 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. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped 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
Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, a handful at a time, stirring until it wilts completely. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne, rotini, or fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28-ounce can canned diced tomatoes, undrained
- 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
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of 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. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped 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
Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, a handful at a time, stirring until it wilts completely. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
⏱️ 1 min