One-Pot Cheesy Spinach and Tomato Fusilli
A quick, colorful fusilli pasta dish with fresh spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes enveloped in a mild cheesy sauce that kids love. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs fusilli pasta, fresh baby spinach, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 fusilli pasta
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole milk milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat for 1 minute until foaming. Stir in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Step 2: Slowly whisk in 1 cup whole milk and 3 cups water, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz fusilli pasta, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in 4 cups fresh baby spinach and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for 2 minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Serve immediately warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Spinach and Tomato Fusilli take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (5 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 One-Pot Cheesy Spinach and Tomato Fusilli?
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 fusilli pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cheesy Spinach and Tomato Fusilli?
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 Cheesy Spinach and Tomato Fusilli 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.
What goes well with One-Pot Cheesy Spinach and Tomato Fusilli?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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