One-Pot Pasta with Garlic, Tomatoes, and Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

A simple Italian one-pot pasta dish cooked with fresh garlic, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This Italian-inspired game-day recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs spaghetti, garlic cloves, cherry tomatoes 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

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 5, thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated, optional Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large wide pot, combine 12 oz spaghetti (broken in half), 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
2. Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
3. Step 3: Stir in 4 cups fresh spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and mix in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese if using, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately.