This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta is a delightful meal on its own, but it pairs perfectly with crusty Garlic Bread, No Knead Focaccia Rolls, or a light Simple Side Salad. For added indulgence, consider including Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Breasts or browning Italian sausage in the skillet alongside the onion and garlic.
In this version, a touch of cream cheese and Parmesan creates an irresistibly rich and creamy tomato sauce. If cream cheese isn't to your taste, you can substitute it with half and half or heavy cream for a similarly velvety texture.
While penne pasta is used in this recipe, you can experiment with other varieties such as whole wheat or different shapes like bowtie pasta or rotini. If fresh spinach is unavailable, frozen spinach can be used as a substitute. Additionally, sliced mushrooms can be added for extra flavor.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Boil the pasta until tender, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in olive oil until soft.
- Add diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Stir until combined.
- Reduce heat, add cream cheese to the skillet, and whisk until melted. Then, stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the creamy tomato sauce in the skillet, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
- Adjust seasoning if needed and serve warm. Enjoy!
