One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan
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 (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, small, finely chopped yellow onion, minced 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 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.
- Step 4: Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan 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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan?
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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan?
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 Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan 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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan 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.
