One-Pot Tomato and Spinach Pasta with Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-15 · Updated 2026-04-15

A vibrant, weeknight-friendly pasta dish with a simple tomato sauce, fresh spinach, and aromatic garlic, all cooked in one pot. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 5 oz, fresh spinach
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 5 oz fresh spinach, stirring until spinach wilts.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately.