One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta Recipe
A creamy, flavorful one-pot pasta dish that combines tender penne with a rich tomato and spinach sauce, enhanced with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese. This easy recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: One-Pot, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 14 ounces penne pasta
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 to 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil. Once the oil is warm, add the chopped onion and cook until slightly browned. Then, add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional couple of minutes, continuing to stir to develop flavor.
- Build the Sauce: Slowly add the chicken stock to the pot, mixing it in to deglaze the pan and blend with the tomato paste. Once well combined, pour in the heavy whipping cream and mix thoroughly. Add the black pepper, kosher salt, and red chili flakes, stirring to fully incorporate the seasonings into the sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the penne pasta to the pot and stir to incorporate it into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low-medium and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Monitor the pasta to ensure it cooks to about 75% done—al dente but tender.
- Add Vegetables and Complete Cooking: Add the fresh spinach and basil to the pot, allowing the spinach to wilt down. If the spinach absorbs too much liquid and the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more water or chicken stock to maintain consistency. Once the spinach has wilted nicely, stir in the freshly shredded parmesan cheese until it is melted and well distributed throughout the dish.
- Finalize and Serve: Turn off the heat and mix everything together until well combined and creamy. Serve the creamy tomato spinach pasta in bowls. Optionally, top with grilled chicken for a more substantial meal. Enjoy your delicious, creamy pasta dish!
Notes
- Use penne or any short pasta that holds sauce well, such as rigatoni or fusilli.
- Sun-dried tomato oil adds extra flavor; if unavailable, use olive oil but increase sun-dried tomato quantity slightly.
- Adjust the amount of red chili flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Stir frequently during pasta cooking to prevent sticking to the bottom.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: one-pot pasta, spinach tomato pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, italian pasta recipes