Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta finished dish
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Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta

Make Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta, an Italian-American dinner recipe with spaghetti or penne, olive oil, garlic. It has about 25 min, about 450 calories per serving. Get ingredients, step-by-step instructions, nutrition estimates, FAQs, and Recipe Genius app tools.

Italian-AmericanDinner25 min4 servings450 cal/serving
vegetarianeasyquickweeknightpastaitalian-americandinnerspaghetti or penne

Quick answer

Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta is an Italian-American dinner recipe that takes about 25 min, makes 4 servings, has about 450 calories per serving. Use the ingredients and steps below, or open it in Recipe Genius for guided Cook Mode, timers, serving changes, and a shopping list.

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Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta ingredients

  • 12 oz spaghetti or penne
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper

How to make Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
  3. Pour in the 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup of vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine all the ingredients in the pan.
  4. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Uncover the sauce and add the 5 ounces of fresh spinach, stirring it into the warm sauce until it wilts completely, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well with tongs to coat the pasta evenly in the rich tomato sauce.
  7. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
  8. Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting as needed before serving.
  9. Divide the pasta among serving bowls, garnish generously with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta FAQ

How do I make Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta?

Make Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta by gathering the ingredients below, following the step-by-step instructions, and checking that everything is cooked safely before serving.

What ingredients are in Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta?

The main ingredients include spaghetti or penne, olive oil, garlic, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth. The full ingredient list is included on this page.

How long does Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta take?

This recipe takes about 25 min, depending on prep speed and kitchen equipment.

How many calories are in Weeknight Tomato & Spinach Pasta?

Recipe Genius estimates about 450 calories per serving. Nutrition is estimated, so use your own labels when precision matters.

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