Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Food Classic

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy tomato spinach pasta hits all the right notes.

Rich, velvety sauce coats every strand of pasta with deep Mediterranean flavors.

Fresh spinach adds vibrant color and nutritional punch to the dish.

Robust tomatoes blend seamlessly with smooth cream, creating a sauce that feels both comforting and elegant.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of tangy and creamy elements.

The recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings.

Savor this restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta: Why It’s a Favorite

• Quick Family Meal: Whip up a delicious dinner that pleases everyone from kids to adults, offering a perfect balance of creamy texture and vibrant flavors.
• Nutrient-Packed Dish: Combine spinach's iron-rich goodness with protein-packed pasta, creating a wholesome meal that supports healthy eating without sacrificing taste.
• Minimal Cleanup Champion: Prepare this one-pot wonder with simple ingredients and limited kitchen tools, making post-dinner cleanup a breeze for busy home cooks.
• Versatile Comfort Food: Easily customize the recipe by adding protein like chicken or shrimp, transforming this pasta into a flexible meal for different preferences and dietary needs.

Everything Needed for Tomato Spinach Pasta

• Pasta: A classic wheat-based ingredient that forms the foundation of this creamy dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that create a flavorful base for the sauce.
• Olive Oil: A smooth cooking oil that helps sauté the vegetables and adds richness.
• Tomatoes: Fresh or canned tomatoes that provide a tangy and bright flavor to the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: A concentrated tomato product that deepens the sauce's rich tomato profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Dried Herbs: Herbs like basil or oregano that add depth and Mediterranean-inspired flavor.

• Cream Cheese: A soft cheese that melts smoothly and creates a luxurious, velvety texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: A hard, aged cheese that adds a salty and nutty dimension to the sauce.

• Spinach: A nutritious leafy green that wilts beautifully into the sauce, adding color and nutrients.

• Water: Used to help create the right sauce consistency and blend ingredients.

Directions for Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach

Step 1: Bring Pasta to Life

Grab a large pot and fill it with water.

Toss in your pasta and let it dance around until it becomes perfectly tender.

Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander, letting the water slip away.

Step 2: Awaken the Flavor Base

Heat olive oil in a pan and introduce diced onions and minced garlic.

Let them sizzle and soften, creating a fragrant foundation for your sauce.

Stir gently as they transform and become translucent.

Step 3: Craft the Sauce Symphony

• Crushed tomatoes
• Dried herbs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Tomato paste

Pour in some water and blend everything together, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop.

Step 4: Embrace Creamy Decadence

Lower the heat and welcome cream cheese into your sauce.

Whisk it until it melts completely, creating a silky texture.

Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce becomes wonderfully smooth and inviting.

Step 5: Welcome Vibrant Greens

Introduce fresh spinach to your sauce.

Watch as the leaves gently wilt and turn a deep, rich green, infusing the dish with color and nutrition.

Step 6: Unite Pasta and Sauce

Combine your perfectly cooked pasta with the luscious sauce.

Give everything a gentle toss, ensuring each pasta strand is lovingly coated.

Taste and adjust seasonings to make the flavors sing.

Tips for Silky, Savory Tomato Spinach Pasta

• Slightly undercook pasta by 1-2 minutes to prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
• Add pasta water gradually to achieve desired consistency without making sauce too runny.
• Toast herbs and garlic before adding tomatoes to enhance overall taste profile.
• Replace cream cheese with cashew cream or plant-based alternative for dairy-free version.
• Chop vegetables and measure ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce stress.

Creative Variations for Creamy Pasta Dishes

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream cheese and Parmesan with nutritional yeast and cashew cream for a vegan-friendly version that keeps the creamy texture.
• Protein Power Pasta: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or white beans to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with chickpea, zucchini, or brown rice pasta to accommodate gluten-sensitive diets.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate red pepper flakes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired variation.

Serving Creamy Pasta with Garlic Bread or Salad

• Pasta Party Platter: Serve on a large wooden board with extra Parmesan and fresh basil sprinkled around the edges for a rustic, inviting presentation.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the creamy tomato sauce with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc to balance the richness.
• Protein Power-Up: Top with grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, or sautéed shrimp to transform this dish into a more substantial meal that satisfies hearty appetites.
• Garlic Bread Sidekick: Accompany with warm, toasted garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious, creamy sauce and add extra texture to the meal.

Storing Tomato Spinach Pasta for Quick Meals

• Store remaining pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Cover the pasta when storing to minimize sauce drying out or developing a skin on top.
• Warm gently in microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of milk or water to restore creamy consistency. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe container, label with date, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best texture.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Yes, use 4-5 ripe diced tomatoes as a direct substitute for canned tomatoes. Just ensure they’re ripe and flavorful.

• Is this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! The recipe uses only vegetarian ingredients like pasta, vegetables, cheese, and herbs. No meat is involved.

• What type of pasta works best?

Medium-sized pastas like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli are perfect for catching the creamy sauce and holding the spinach.

• Can I make this dish dairy-free?

You can replace cream cheese and Parmesan with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew cream to maintain a similar creamy texture.

Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy tomato spinach pasta brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with rich, silky sauce and nutrient-packed greens. Perfectly balanced flavors and easy preparation make this dish a delightful choice for weeknight meals you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1/2 pound (227 grams) penne pasta

Sauce Base:

• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) tomato paste

Creamy and Seasoning Elements:

• 2 ounces (57 grams) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Fresh black pepper to taste
• Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

Additional Vegetable:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) fresh spinach

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain thoroughly in a colander, shaking off excess water.
2. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium temperature. Sauté finely chopped onions and crushed garlic until translucent and fragrant, roughly 4 minutes.
3. Pour diced tomatoes into the skillet. Incorporate dried herbs, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Introduce water and stir until ingredients are evenly distributed and sauce begins to simmer.
4. Lower heat to minimum. Gradually incorporate cream cheese fragments, continuously whisking until completely melted and integrated. Sprinkle grated Parmesan and stir until sauce achieves a velvety consistency.
5. Add fresh spinach leaves to the sauce, gently folding until they wilt and reduce in volume, approximately 2 minutes.
6. Combine cooked pasta with the creamy tomato sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is generously coated. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding extra salt or pepper to enhance flavor profile.

Notes

• Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a delightful texture that holds sauce beautifully.
• Let cream cheese sit at room temperature before adding to sauce for smoother, faster melting and a more velvety consistency.
• Replace spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or arugula for different nutritional profiles and exciting flavor variations.
• Make this dish gluten-free by using zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta, and dairy-free by substituting cream cheese with cashew cream.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 30mg