One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A simple and comforting pasta dish cooked all in one pot with fresh spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes, tossed in a garlic butter sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, 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 3, 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 spaghetti
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Add 8 oz spaghetti broken in half, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 3 cups fresh spinach along with 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is cooked and liquid has mostly evaporated.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using, tossing until cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly. Serve immediately.