Budget-Friendly One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach
An easy one-pot pasta dish with a creamy tomato sauce and fresh spinach, perfect for a quick and affordable dinner. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, medium yellow onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes and 3 cups vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz penne pasta, making sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Stir in 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves and 4 oz softened cream cheese until the spinach wilts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and mix in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Budget-Friendly One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Budget-Friendly One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Budget-Friendly One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Budget-Friendly One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Budget-Friendly One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
