One-Pot Spinach Tomato Pasta Recipe
A creamy and flavorful one-pot spinach tomato pasta recipe featuring penne pasta cooked in a rich blend of sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, chicken stock, and heavy cream, finished with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs for a comforting and easy meal.
- Author: Victoria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Salt
Pasta and Broth
- 14 ounces penne pasta
- 4 cups chicken stock
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 to 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
Dairy and Oils
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil
Condiments and Spices
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil. Once the oil is warm, add the chopped onion and cook until slightly brown. Then, add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the pot, cooking for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional 2 minutes, continuing to stir.
- Build the Sauce: Slowly add the chicken stock to the pot, mixing it in to deglaze the pan and blend with the tomato paste. Once well combined, pour in the heavy whipping cream and mix well. Add the black pepper, kosher salt, and red chili flakes, stirring thoroughly to incorporate all the seasonings into the sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the penne pasta to the pot and stir to incorporate into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low-medium and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Check the pasta for doneness, aiming for about 75% cooked to ensure it finishes perfectly with the added ingredients.
- Add Vegetables and Complete Cooking: Add the fresh spinach and basil to the pot, allowing the spinach to wilt down naturally. If the spinach absorbs too much liquid, add a little more water or chicken stock to maintain consistency. Once the spinach has wilted nicely, stir in the freshly shredded parmesan cheese until melted and well distributed throughout the dish.
- Finalize and Serve: Turn off the heat and mix everything together until well combined and creamy. Serve the creamy tomato spinach pasta hot in bowls. Optionally, add grilled chicken on top for a more substantial meal. Enjoy your delicious, creamy pasta dish!
Notes
- Keep stirring frequently while cooking the pasta to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- If you prefer a vegan version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and omit the parmesan cheese.
- Adjust the amount of red chili flakes according to your heat preference.
- Use chicken stock or vegetable stock for different flavor profiles; vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
- Adding grilled chicken or cooked shrimp can make this dish more protein-rich and hearty.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: one-pot pasta, spinach tomato pasta, creamy pasta, penne pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, sun-dried tomato pasta