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One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 796 reviews

This One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese with tender penne pasta cooked in a rich tomato cream sauce. Prepared entirely in one pot, this recipe offers an easy and satisfying meal with a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and fresh herb notes. Ideal for weeknight dinners, it brings comfort food with minimal cleanup and maximum taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Produce

  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
  • 5 oz fresh spinach

Pantry

  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil (from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes)
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 14 oz penne pasta
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (from a jar)

Dairy

  • 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (finely grated)

Instructions

  1. 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 diced onion and cook until slightly browned. Next, add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently to keep the garlic from burning. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional 2 minutes, continuing to stir to develop the flavors.
  2. Build the Sauce: Slowly pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pot, stirring to blend it with the tomato paste and vegetables evenly. Once the mixture is combined, add the heavy cream and mix well. Season with the black pepper, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes, stirring thoroughly to incorporate the spices into the creamy tomato sauce.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Add the penne pasta directly into the pot and stir to coat it with the sauce. Reduce the heat to low-medium and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Cook the pasta until it is approximately 75% done, checking periodically to achieve the desired tenderness.
  4. Add Vegetables and Complete Cooking: Incorporate the fresh spinach and sliced basil into the pot, allowing the spinach to wilt down naturally. If the liquid level decreases too much due to spinach absorption, add a bit more water or chicken stock to maintain a saucy consistency. Once the spinach has fully wilted, stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and evenly distributed throughout the dish.
  5. Finalize and Serve: Turn off the heat and give everything a final stir to ensure the pasta is creamy and well combined. Serve the pasta hot in bowls. Optionally, top with grilled chicken for added protein and a heartier meal. Enjoy your delicious, creamy tomato spinach pasta!

Notes

  • Be sure to stir frequently when cooking the garlic to prevent burning, which can cause bitterness.
  • Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
  • If the pasta absorbs too much liquid and becomes dry, add additional chicken stock or water a little at a time.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth.
  • Grate Parmesan cheese finely for better melting and creaminess.

Keywords: One-Pot Pasta, Creamy Pasta, Spinach Pasta, Tomato Pasta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Easy Dinner, Italian Pasta Recipe

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/one-pot-spinach-tomato-pasta-recipe/