One-Pot Creamy Tomato & Vegetable Pasta with Spinach
A comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish with tender vegetables, sun-ripened tomatoes, and a velvety cheese sauce—all cooked in one pot with minimal cleanup. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs (225g) penne pasta, olive oil, medium, finely diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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) penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 (14 oz / 400g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent, stirring occasionally. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1 cup vegetable broth, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz penne pasta, stirring to submerge. Cook for 12 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Stir in 1 cup fresh spinach until wilted, then remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and stir until melted and creamy, seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato & Vegetable Pasta with 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 & Vegetable Pasta with 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 (225g) penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy Tomato & Vegetable Pasta with 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 & Vegetable Pasta with 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 & Vegetable Pasta with Spinach?
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
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
