One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta
Creamy tomato-spinach sauce tossed with al dente pasta, garlic, and Parmesan in a single pot for a 25-minute Italian classic. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, pint, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 1 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook 8 minutes, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes and cook 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add spinach and cook 2 minutes until wilted. Stir in pasta, 1/4 cup reserved water, and Parmesan. Cook 2 minutes until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Spinach Tomato Pasta?
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 Spinach Tomato Pasta?
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 Spinach Tomato Pasta 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 Spinach Tomato Pasta 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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
