One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-22 · Updated 2026-06-22

A simple one-pot pasta dish cooked in a creamy tomato sauce with fresh spinach and finished with Parmesan cheese for a comforting weeknight meal. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs olive oil, yellow onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 small, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup whole milk milk
• 12 oz dry penne pasta
• 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) undrained diced tomatoes, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup whole milk, 12 oz dry penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried basil. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Stir in 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach until wilted, then remove from heat and fold in 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Serve immediately.