Description
This One-Pan Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta is a quick and flavorful meal combining tender pasta with a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with fresh spinach and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe blends cherry tomatoes, garlic, and plant-based cream into a luscious sauce cooked all in one pan for easy cleanup and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 9 oz tagliatelle nests (or spaghetti)
- 10.5 oz cherry tomatoes (red + yellow), halved
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Tomato Base
- 3 tbsp tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional but recommended)
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Liquids and Fats
- 1 cup plant-based cream like oat cream or heavy cream
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 3–4 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Layer the ingredients: In a large pan, place the pasta nests in the center. Arrange halved cherry tomatoes, sliced onion, garlic, and spinach around the pasta. Add dollops of tomato puree and tomato paste (if using) on top of the pasta. Drizzle everything with olive oil to coat.
- Season: Sprinkle dried oregano, dried basil, chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper evenly over all the ingredients in the pan to infuse the dish with flavor.
- Pour liquids: Carefully pour the plant-based cream and vegetable broth over the ingredients so that the pasta is mostly submerged, ensuring it will cook evenly in the sauce.
- Cook covered: Cover the pan with a lid and place over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil then reduce heat slightly, cooking for 11 to 13 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and check that the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Uncover & finish: Remove the lid and stir the pasta well to combine with the creamy tomato sauce. Continue cooking uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes if the sauce needs to be thicker, allowing excess liquid to evaporate.
- Serve: Spoon the pasta onto plates and garnish with fresh basil, vegan parmesan if desired, or a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness and aroma.
Notes
- Substitute tagliatelle with spaghetti or any other long pasta if unavailable.
- For a non-vegan version, use heavy cream instead of plant-based cream.
- Adjust chili flakes to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the pan.
- Garnishing with fresh herbs and vegan parmesan enhances flavor and presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/3 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
