One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A simple one-pot pasta dish with a creamy tomato sauce enriched with pureed spinach, delivering familiar flavors and added nutrition for picky eaters. This Italian-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Pour in 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices, 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, and add 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, puree 2 packed cups fresh spinach leaves in a blender with 2 tablespoons water until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Stir the pureed spinach and 4 ounces softened cream cheese into the pasta. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until sauce is creamy and coats the pasta.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Serve warm with extra Parmesan if desired.

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