One-Pot Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta with White Beans
A creamy, protein-packed pasta dish that comes together in one pot with sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh spinach, and white beans for a satisfying, balanced meal. This mediterranean-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, small, finely diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small, finely diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can, rinsed and drained white beans
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add 8 oz penne pasta and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add diced onion and cook 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Stir in crushed tomatoes, rinsed white beans, 1/2 cup vegetable broth, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, then stir in 2 cups fresh spinach until wilted (about 1 minute).
- Step 4: Add drained penne and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to skillet, tossing until sauce clings to pasta and spinach is fully wilted. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until melted and creamy, adjusting with more pasta water if too thick.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta with White Beans 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 Spinach Pasta with White Beans?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta with White Beans?
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 Spinach Pasta with White Beans 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 Spinach Pasta with White Beans 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to one pot dish. We make it weekly.
