One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Spinach
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 ready in about 30 minutes pairs ounces penne pasta, tablespoons olive oil, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups packed fresh spinach leaves
- 4 ounces, softened cream cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, puree 2 packed cups fresh spinach leaves in a blender with 2 tablespoons water until smooth.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Spinach 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 Pasta with Hidden 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 ounces penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden 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 Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Spinach 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 Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Spinach?
Italian kid friendly 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.
