One-Pot Tomato Spinach Pasta with Lemon

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant pasta dish simmered with cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a bright lemon finish, ready in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften and garlic is fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/4 cup vegetable broth, 8 oz spaghetti, and 2 cups fresh spinach. Add 1 tsp lemon zest and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then pour in 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12 minutes, stirring once halfway, until pasta is tender and liquid reduces slightly.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted, and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve immediately with extra lemon zest.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Tomato Spinach Pasta with Lemon 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 Tomato Spinach Pasta with Lemon?

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 Tomato Spinach Pasta with Lemon?

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 Spinach Pasta with Lemon 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 Spinach Pasta with Lemon?

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.

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