Description
This One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender pasta cooked directly in a savory tomato and vegetable broth mixture, enriched with creamy heavy cream and fresh spinach, this dish is both comforting and easy to prepare. Garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, it offers a rich texture and vibrant taste all in one pan.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Base Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth (Ensure it’s certified vegetarian for a vegetarian option.)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cream and Greens
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine the flavors.
- Add Pasta: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the pasta to the skillet and stir well, ensuring all pasta pieces are coated in the tomato mixture.
- Cook Pasta: Cover the skillet and cook the pasta for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Incorporate Cream and Spinach: Lower the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. If using spinach, add it now and mix until it wilts into the sauce.
- Season and Heat Through: Season the pasta with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure everything is heated through and flavors meld.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the creamy tomato pasta hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the vegetable broth used is vegetarian-friendly.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream for a lighter or dairy-free alternative.
- Spinach is optional but adds extra nutrients and color; kale or arugula can be used as alternatives.
- Keep stirring occasionally during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pan, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Creamy tomato pasta, one pan pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta dish
