Description
This Spinach Tomato Pasta is a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired vegetarian dish, featuring a vibrant tomato sauce simmered with garlic and spices, fresh baby spinach, and tender pasta tossed with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it can be easily customized with added proteins or vegan options.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta
- 8 oz pasta (penne or spaghetti)
sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
vegetables and cheese
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (if needed)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Add diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, letting the sauce thicken slightly.
- Cook the spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Finish with cheese: Stir in Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Serve warm with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or white beans for extra protein.
- Substitute kale for spinach if preferred.
- To make it vegan, omit the Parmesan or use a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 6mg
