Description
One-pot pasta magic weaves Italian comfort through tomato spinach delights, offering a simple yet elegant meal. Quick preparation and minimal cleanup make this dish perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your favorite)
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Initiate the flavor foundation by heating olive oil in a capacious pot or expansive skillet over medium temperature. Gently sauté chopped onions until they transform into a translucent, soft landscape, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and allow its aromatic essence to permeate the cooking environment for one minute, creating a fragrant base.
- Pour in diced tomatoes with their natural juices, vegetable broth, and milk. This liquid ensemble will become the cooking medium for the pasta.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes across the liquid surface. Distribute pasta evenly throughout the pot, ensuring each strand is submerged.
- Elevate the mixture to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce thermal intensity to a gentle simmer. Allow the pasta to dance and absorb the liquid, stirring intermittently to prevent adherence to the pot’s bottom.
- Monitor the cooking process for 10-12 minutes, watching for pasta to reach perfect tenderness and sauce to achieve a luxurious, thickened consistency.
- Cascade fresh spinach into the pot, gently folding until leaves wilt and integrate seamlessly with the pasta’s texture.
- If desired, incorporate shredded Parmesan, stirring until it melts into a creamy, luxurious coating.
- Garnish with delicate fresh basil leaves, creating a vibrant visual and aromatic finale. Serve immediately, accompanied by crusty garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
Notes
- Customize Pasta Texture by choosing different pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni for varied mouthfeel and sauce absorption.
- Boost Protein Content by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or plant-based alternatives like white beans or tofu for a more substantial meal.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation can replace milk and Parmesan with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a creamy, allergen-friendly version.
- Control Spice Level by adjusting red pepper flakes or using smoked paprika for a milder heat that suits different taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg