One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe
This One Pan Creamy Tomato Pasta is a quick and comforting meal that combines penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a creamy tomato sauce all cooked in a single skillet. The dish is flavorful, easy to prepare, and perfect for weeknight dinners, offering a rich and satisfying taste with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 to 3 generous handfuls fresh baby spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Pantry
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 oz. dry penne pasta
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper
Dairy
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil and cook vegetables. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet fitted with a lid over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion and halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes until the onion becomes soft and the tomatoes break down into a jammy texture.
- Add pasta and seasonings; simmer. Add dry penne pasta, marinara sauce, water, garlic powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper to the skillet. Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
- Finish with cream, spinach, and cheese. Remove the lid and stir in heavy cream, fresh baby spinach, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts, about 2 minutes.
- Garnish and serve. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for a warm, creamy pasta dish.
Notes
- To keep this dish vegetarian, ensure the marinara sauce contains no meat or animal products.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli for a different texture.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream or reduce the amount of cheese.
- The dish is best served fresh and warm as reheating may change the texture of the cream sauce.
- Feel free to add chili flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.
Keywords: one pan pasta, creamy tomato pasta, quick pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, easy dinner, skillet pasta
Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/one-pan-creamy-tomato-pasta-recipe/
