One-Pot Budget Vegetable Pasta with Garlic and Spinach
A comforting one-pot pasta dish loaded with garlic, fresh spinach, and affordable pantry ingredients, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs uncooked spaghetti, olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 3, 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
- 8 oz uncooked spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup grated (optional) parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 8 oz uncooked spaghetti whole and pour in 3 cups vegetable broth, ensuring pasta is mostly submerged; bring to a boil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 9 minutes until pasta is tender and liquid has mostly absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for 2 more minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften.
- Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using; toss everything gently.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese on top if desired before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Budget Vegetable Pasta with Garlic and Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 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 One-Pot Budget Vegetable Pasta with Garlic and 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 uncooked spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Budget Vegetable Pasta with Garlic and 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 One-Pot Budget Vegetable Pasta with Garlic and Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 One-Pot Budget Vegetable Pasta with Garlic and 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.
