20-Minute Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta
Penne pasta tossed in a luxurious pink tomato cream sauce studded with garlic and tender wilted baby spinach.
Diet labels (Vegetarian) describe the recipe as written. Check packaged ingredients such as broth, spice blends and sauces for allergens and gluten. More on food safety.
5 mins
15 mins
20 mins
Easy
Penne pasta tossed in a luxurious pink tomato cream sauce studded with garlic and tender wilted baby spinach.
Ingredients
(8 items)- [ ]12 oz Penne or rigatoni pasta
- [ ]1 can (15 oz) Canned crushed tomatoes or marinara
- [ ]1/2 cup Heavy cream or milk + butter
- [ ]3 cups Fresh baby spinach
- [ ]4 cloves, minced Garlic cloves
- [ ]1 tbsp Olive oil
- [ ]1/3 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- [ ]To taste Salt and black pepper
Substitutions:
- • Heavy cream → Cream cheese, ricotta, or full-fat coconut milk
Instructions
- 1.
Boil pasta in a pot of generously salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup pasta water, then drain.
- 2.
Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 45 seconds until fragrant.
- 3.
Add crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- 4.
Reduce heat to low and stir in cream until sauce turns a silky light-coral pink.
- 5.
Fold in baby spinach and cooked pasta. Toss for 1 minute until spinach is wilted and sauce clings to the pasta.
- 6.
Stir in grated Parmesan and serve hot.
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Ingredients
(Tap or press Space to check off)Step-by-Step Instructions
Boil pasta in a pot of generously salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup pasta water, then drain.
Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 45 seconds until fragrant.
Add crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and stir in cream until sauce turns a silky light-coral pink.
Fold in baby spinach and cooked pasta. Toss for 1 minute until spinach is wilted and sauce clings to the pasta.
Stir in grated Parmesan and serve hot.
Ingredient Substitutions
- If you don't have Heavy cream: replace with Cream cheese, ricotta, or full-fat coconut milk.
Food Safety & Leftovers
Safe Temperatures: Ensure poultry reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ground beef 160°F (71°C), and eggs are cooked until whites are completely set.
Cooking Notes
Tips and food-safety notes for this recipe
- ✓Stir cream into simmering tomatoes over gentle low heat to prevent the cream from curdling.
Times are estimates for a typical home kitchen. Spotted a mistake? See our corrections policy.
Ingredients Used in This Dish
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