One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Garlic
A comforting pasta dish made in a single pot with a rich tomato sauce and fresh spinach, ready in 30 minutes. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs (225g) spaghetti, olive oil, 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
- 8 oz (225g) spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups (60g), roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup (25g), grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to coat, then stir in 2 cups fresh spinach until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until melted.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Garlic 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 Spinach and Garlic?
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 (225g) spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Garlic?
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 Spinach and Garlic 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 Spinach and Garlic?
Italian one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
