Half-Half Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
A comforting pasta dish combining half heavy cream and half tomato sauce for a velvety, tangy coating over tender penne and fresh spinach. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup tomato sauce and 1 cup heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Add 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce coats each piece evenly. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Half Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta 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 Half-Half Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Half Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta?
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 Half-Half Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta 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 Half-Half Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta 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.
