One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta Recipe
This One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish that combines penne pasta with a flavorful tomato and sun-dried tomato sauce, fresh spinach, and rich parmesan cheese. Made all in one pot, this recipe saves time and cleanup while delivering a deliciously rich and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Liquids
- 17 ounces penne pasta
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 to 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Oils and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
Cheese and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
- 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 brown. Then, add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional couple of minutes, continuing to stir.
- 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 well. 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. Keep an eye on the pasta to ensure it cooks to about 75% done, checking for the desired texture.
- Add Vegetables and Complete Cooking: Add the fresh spinach and basil to the pot, allowing the spinach to wilt down. If it seems like the spinach absorbs too much liquid, feel free to add a little more water or chicken stock for 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, you can add grilled chicken on top for a more substantial meal. Enjoy your delicious, creamy pasta dish!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken stock with vegetable broth and omit grilled chicken topping.
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less red chili flakes.
- If the sauce becomes too thick while cooking, add additional chicken stock or water to reach desired consistency.
- Use freshly shredded parmesan cheese for better melting and richer flavor.
- If fresh spinach is unavailable, frozen spinach (thawed and drained) can be used as a substitute.
Keywords: one-pot pasta, spinach pasta, tomato pasta, creamy pasta recipe, quick pasta dinner, one-pot meals, sun-dried tomato pasta
