Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ lbpenne pasta
$0.49
- 1yellow onion
small dice, 340g, 1.5 cups, $0.78
- 2 clovegarlic
- 1 tbspolive oil
$0.18
- 14.5 oztomatoes
1 can, $0.96
- ½ tsporegano
$0.12
- ½ tspbasil
$0.13
- ⅛ tspred pepper
$0.02
- ½ tspsalt
$0.02
- ½ tspblack pepper
$0.08
- 2 tbsptomato paste
$0.14
- ½ cwater
$0.00
- 2 ozcream cheese
$0.46
- ¼ cParmesan
30g, $0.51
- 4 ozfresh spinach
$0.79
Directions
- 1
Gather and prepare all ingredients.
- 2
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and continue to boil until tender (7-10 minutes). Drain the pasta in a colander.
- 3
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the creamy tomato sauce. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and olive oil to a large skillet and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (3-5 minutes).
- 4
Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), oregano, basil, crushed red pepper, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine. Add the tomato paste and a 1/2 cup of water to the skillet and stir until the tomato paste has mixed into the sauce.
- 5
Turn the heat down to low. Cut the cream cheese into a few pieces and then add them to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Use a whisk to stir the sauce until the cream cheese has fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Add the Parmesan to the skillet and stir until it is melted into the sauce.
- 6
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and gently stir it into the sauce until it has wilted (2-3 minutes). Add the pasta and stir until it is well coated in the creamy tomato sauce. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
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About this Recipe
Tired of dull weeknight dinners? This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta is your answer, delivering rich, comforting flavors with 100% real ingredients in less time than it takes to order takeout.
What makes this dish truly special is the perfect harmony between bright, savory tomatoes and the luxurious creaminess from cream cheese and Parmesan. It's a testament to how simple, quality ingredients can create something profoundly satisfying and far more delicious than any pre-packaged meal.
Prepare for a wonderfully balanced pasta dish, where robust diced tomatoes and aromatic dried herbs like oregano and basil lay the foundation for a deeply savory sauce. The addition of cream cheese and grated Parmesan melts into a velvety texture, coating each piece of penne beautifully. Fresh spinach wilts gently into the warmth, adding a touch of vibrant color and earthy freshness. You'll find a delightful depth of flavor, with just a hint of warmth if you opt for the crushed red pepper, making every forkful a comforting experience.
Customization & Variations
While penne is a classic choice here, feel free to experiment with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch more dried basil or even a touch of smoked paprika to the sauce. You can also boost the greens by incorporating more fresh spinach or stirring in some finely chopped kale in the final minutes.
This pasta is the quintessential busy weeknight meal, perfect for a cozy family dinner or a satisfying individual lunch. Serve it with a simple green salad and some crusty bread to complete the experience.