One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes
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 (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, 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 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 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 Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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.
