Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Recipe, Easy to Make, Affordable!

PASTA WITH CREAMY TOMATO AND SPINACH RECIPE

Budget Bites: $3.72 / SERVING: $0.93

Easy triumphs once more! I’m on day six of an eight-day workweek, which means I’m exhausted and hungry. For such an occasion, quick skillet pasta dishes like this Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta are ideal.

They only take a few ingredients, cook up quickly, and leave me feeling satisfied and content! 🙂

Anyway, tomorrow is Monday (again), and the week ahead will be long, so I hope this recipe helps you make supper time this week a little faster, easier, and more fun! Enjoy!

A bowl of creamy tomato and spinach pasta with a black fork on the side is seen from above.

PASTA WITH CREAMY TOMATO AND SPINACH

This creamy tomato and spinach pasta are not only easier to make than a boxed dinner, but it’s also more flavorful and tasty. Ingredients are all-natural. Ideal for a hectic weeknight!

INGREDIENTS: 4 SERVINGS

• Penne pasta, 1/2 pound ($0.75)
• 1 ($0.28) yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves ($0.16)
• 1 tbsp ($0.16) olive oil
• 1 can diced tomatoes, 15 oz. ($0.59)
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano, dried ($0.05)
• a half teaspoon of dried basil ($0.05)
• Optional: 1 pinch crushed red pepper ($0.02)
• $0.02 for 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ($0.03) freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• $0.08 for 2 tbsp tomato paste
• Cream cheese, 2 oz. ($0.20)
• Parmesan cheese, grated ($0.31)
• Fresh spinach, 4 oz. ($0.65)

INSTRUCTIONS

Over high heat, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Continue to boil until the pasta is tender (7-10 minutes). In a colander, drain the spaghetti.

Prepare the creamy tomato sauce while the pasta is cooking.

The onion should be diced, and the garlic should be minced. In a large skillet, sauté the onion, garlic, and olive oil over medium heat until the onions are tender and translucent (3-5 minutes).

In a skillet, combine the chopped tomatoes (with liquids), oregano, basil, crushed red pepper, salt, and freshly cracked pepper.

To blend, stir everything together. Stir in the tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water until the tomato paste is completely incorporated into the sauce.

Reduce the heat to a low setting. Cut the cream cheese into small pieces and combine it with the tomato sauce in the skillet.

Stir the sauce with a whisk until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy. Stir in the Parmesan until it is completely melted into the sauce.

In the same skillet, add the fresh spinach and toss it gently into the sauce until it has wilted (2-3 minutes). Stir in the pasta until it is thoroughly coated in the creamy tomato sauce.

Taste and season with more salt and pepper if necessary. Warm the dish before serving.

NUTRITION

a single serving Calories: 309.43 kcal Carbohydrates: 54.15 g Protein: 11.53 g Fat: 5.75 g Sodium: 348.9 mg Fiber: 5.75g Calories: 309.43 kcal

– FAQs Related to This Pasta Recipe.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CREAMY TOMATO AND SPINACH PASTA?

This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta can be served as is, but you might want to serve it with a side dish like crusty Garlic Bread, No-Knead Focaccia Rolls, or a light Simple Side Salad. You can also add some Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Breasts to the recipe, or cook some Italian sausage in the skillet before adding the onion and garlic.

CAN I USE ANOTHER CHEESE IN PLACE OF THE CREAM CHEESE?

To make a typical tomato sauce ultra-rich and creamy, this variation of Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta uses just a bit of cream cheese and Parmesan.

If you don’t want to use cream cheese, you might use a dash (1/4 cup or so) of half-and-half or heavy cream.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE A DIFFERENT PASTA?

I used standard pasta, but whole wheat would be delicious in this and would provide more fiber and nutrients to make it a more complete meal. You can also substitute another short pasta shape, such as bowtie pasta or rotini, for the shape.

CAN I USE FROZEN SPINACH IN THIS RECIPE?

If fresh spinach is out of your price range, you can substitute about 8 oz. of frozen spinach that has been thawed and pressed dry. This would be fantastic with sliced mushrooms as well.

Simply start by cooking the mushrooms with onions and garlic. You may also make a simple creamy tomato sauce. There isn’t anything wrong with that!