One-Pot Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Cream
Creamy tomato pasta simmered with fresh spinach in a single pot—ready in under 30 minutes for busy weeknights. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs ounces penne pasta, tablespoons olive oil, small diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small diced onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 8 ounces penne pasta and 1 cup water, stirring to break up pasta. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring once. Uncover, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 cups fresh spinach, then cook uncovered for 2 more minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Cream take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Cream?
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 ounces penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Cream?
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 Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Cream 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.
What goes well with One-Pot Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Cream?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
