Bright One Pot Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe for Busy Nights

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet delicious tomato spinach one pot pasta solutions that burst with flavor and minimize cleanup.

This quick pasta creation combines fresh ingredients in a single skillet, delivering maximum taste with minimal effort.

Tender spinach leaves blend seamlessly with juicy tomatoes, creating a colorful and nutritious meal.

Hearty pasta absorbs the rich, aromatic sauce while cooking, infusing each bite with incredible depth.

The recipe works perfectly for busy home cooks seeking a satisfying meal without complicated preparation.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques ensure anyone can master this delightful dish.

Prepare to transform your dinner routine with this mouthwatering one pot wonder that promises to become a new family favorite.

How to Serve This Pasta Without Overthinking

• Fresh Garden Companion: Pair this vibrant pasta with a crisp mixed green salad topped with light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
• Crusty Bread Delight: Serve warm garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices alongside the pasta to soak up the delicious tomato-spinach sauce.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken strips, sautéed shrimp, or white beans for extra protein and make the dish more filling and nutritious.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the tomato and spinach flavors with a light white wine like Pinot Grigio or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc for a restaurant-style dining experience.

Save and Reheat This Pasta Like a Pro

• Cook the entire pasta recipe and portion into individual containers for quick weekday lunches or dinners. Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently with splash of vegetable broth to restore creamy texture.
• Warm leftover pasta in microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds to prevent uneven heating. Add small amount of milk or broth to revive moisture and prevent drying out.
• Pack pasta in leak-proof containers with small compartment for extra Parmesan cheese or fresh basil. Keep cold pack nearby to maintain ideal temperature during transport to work or school.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients That Power Tomato Spinach One Pot Pasta

• Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic foundation that builds depth of flavor in the dish.
• Garlic: Delivers a pungent, zesty punch that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Spinach: Adds vibrant green color, nutrient boost, and delicate leafy texture to the pasta.
• Tomatoes: Creates a rich, tangy sauce base while adding natural sweetness and moisture.

• Italian Seasoning: Blends dried herbs to introduce classic Mediterranean warmth and complexity.
• Salt: Elevates and balances all other ingredients' natural flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic sharpness to the dish.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle, spicy kick for those who enjoy a touch of heat.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides creamy, nutty richness and a luxurious finish to the pasta.
• Fresh Basil: Offers bright, fresh herbaceous notes as a beautiful garnish.

• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth cooking base and adds a hint of Mediterranean flavor.
• Vegetable Broth: Builds a savory, light liquid foundation for cooking the pasta.
• Milk: Contributes to a creamy, silky sauce texture.
• Pasta: Serves as the hearty, satisfying main component of the dish.

Cooking Tools for Quick One Pot Pasta

• Large Pot or Deep Skillet: Essential for sautéing aromatics and cooking the entire one-pot pasta dish.
• Cutting Board: Perfect for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and herb cutting.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding fresh Parmesan cheese.

Make Tomato Spinach Pasta in One Go

• Kickstart the Flavor Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Toss in onions and let them dance until they turn soft and translucent. Invite garlic to the party and let it sizzle briefly, releasing its aromatic magic.

• Build the Liquid Foundation

Pour in tomatoes, broth, and milk. Sprinkle in seasonings that will make your taste buds sing. Drop the pasta into this flavorful bath.

• Transform Ingredients into Deliciousness

Let everything bubble gently. Stir occasionally and watch the pasta become tender. The sauce will thicken and promise a creamy adventure.

• Welcome Leafy Greens

Fold in spinach and let it wilt gracefully. Shower with Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts into a luxurious blanket of flavor.

• Plate and Celebrate

Garnish with fresh basil. Serve piping hot, ready to comfort and delight. Pair with crusty bread or a crisp salad for a complete meal that hugs your soul.

Extra Flavors to Add to Tomato Spinach Pasta

• Perfectly Creamy One-Pot Pasta
• Adjust vegetable broth and milk quantities for your preferred sauce consistency. Less liquid creates a thicker sauce, while more creates a lighter, silkier texture.
• Swap spaghetti with penne, rotini, or fusilli for different shapes and textures. Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta options work equally well in this recipe.
• Add cooked chicken, shredded rotisserie meat, or plant-based protein like white beans to transform this into a more substantial meal.
• Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version. Substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk to maintain creaminess.
• Reduce or eliminate red pepper flakes for a milder dish. For heat lovers, increase flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper for extra kick.

Vibrant Tomato Spinach One Pot Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Tomato Spinach One Pot Pasta brings Mediterranean comfort directly to kitchen tables with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Simple ingredients dance together in a single pan, creating a quick meal that satisfies hunger and delights senses in just 20 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your favorite)
• 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable broth
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Aromatics Infusion: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Sauté onions until translucent, then introduce garlic and cook until aromatic.
2. Liquid Integration: Pour diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and milk into the pot. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add pasta and stir thoroughly.
3. Pasta Simmering: Escalate heat to boiling, then reduce to medium-low. Allow mixture to simmer uncovered, stirring intermittently until pasta reaches al dente texture and sauce thickens naturally.
4. Final Embellishment: Fold fresh spinach into the dish, letting it wilt seamlessly. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until creating a luxurious, creamy consistency.
5. Presentation: Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately, accompanied by optional side of garlic bread or crisp green salad.

Notes

• Choose pasta with similar cooking times to ensure even tenderness and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy or undercooked.
• Adjust liquid quantities slightly if pasta absorbs more or less liquid than expected, maintaining a creamy consistency without becoming too dry or watery.
• Toast Italian seasoning briefly in olive oil before adding other ingredients to release more robust, complex aromatics and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Replace milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or plant-based alternatives like coconut milk and cashew cheese for a vegan-friendly version that maintains creamy texture and rich flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 15mg