Colorful Spinach and Tomato Pasta Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that burst with flavor and nutrition.

This mouthwatering spinach and tomato pasta recipe delivers a delightful Mediterranean-inspired meal in under 30 minutes.

fresh ingredients dance together, creating a vibrant dish that’s both simple and elegant.

Crisp spinach leaves and juicy tomatoes blend seamlessly with perfectly cooked pasta, offering a colorful plate packed with wholesome goodness.

The recipe strikes a perfect balance between convenience and gourmet taste, making it ideal for busy home cooks.

Savor every bite of this comforting, nutritious meal that promises to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Let’s find out this delectable pasta experience and transform an ordinary evening into a memorable dining moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 485 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients That Build Fresh Spinach and Tomato Pasta

• Pasta (Linguine or Favorite Type): Foundational ingredient that carries the vibrant sauce and provides hearty texture, choose high-quality pasta for best results.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates rich, silky base with deep, luxurious flavor, select extra virgin olive oil for authentic taste.
• Garlic: Delivers intense aromatic punch and robust depth, select firm, fresh cloves without green sprouts.

• Grape Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes: Introduces sweet, juicy bursts of color and tangy brightness, pick ripe, firm tomatoes with deep, rich color.
• Fresh Baby Spinach: Adds vibrant green nutrients and delicate texture, choose crisp leaves without wilting or yellowing.

• Parmesan Cheese: Provides salty, nutty complexity and creamy finish, select freshly grated authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbal notes and traditional Mediterranean flavor, ensure herbs are fragrant and recently purchased.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances and balances overall taste profile, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

What Tools to Use for Spinach and Tomato Pasta

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly with enough space to stir.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Skillet: Wide pan for sautéing vegetables and creating sauce.
• Measuring Cup: Helps measure precise amount of pasta water.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for chopping garlic and slicing tomatoes.
• Cutting Board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients safely.

Cooking Fresh Spinach and Tomato Pasta with Ease

• Pasta Preparation

Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until it reaches that perfect tender-yet-firm texture. The water should be dancing with bubbles and the pasta swimming freely.

• Sauce Foundation

Warm a skillet with a blend of olive oil and butter, creating a golden base that will carry all the delicious flavors. Introduce minced garlic to the pan, letting its aroma fill the kitchen.

• Tomato Magic

Toss fresh, ripe tomatoes into the skillet, sprinkling Italian seasoning to awaken their natural sweetness. Let them soften and release their juices, creating a vibrant sauce.

• Spinach Embrace

Gently fold in fresh spinach leaves, watching them transform from crisp to silky as they wilt into the tomato mixture. The greens will add a beautiful color and nutritious touch.

• Final Symphony

Rescue a small splash of pasta water before draining the noodles. Pour the pasta into the skillet, adding the reserved water and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan. Toss everything together until each strand is lovingly coated with the sauce.

• Seasoning Finale

Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, giving the dish a final flavor boost. Serve immediately while the pasta is steaming and the sauce is at its most inviting.

Bonus Tips for Spinach and Tomato Pasta Fans

• Roast whole garlic cloves before mincing for a deeper, mellower flavor that transforms the dish's aromatic profile.
• Swap Parmesan for pecorino romano or aged asiago to create a bolder, more robust cheese experience that elevates the pasta's richness.
• Quickly sear chicken strips, shrimp, or crispy pancetta before adding to the skillet, turning this light pasta into a hearty meal that satisfies larger appetites.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of smoked paprika to introduce a subtle heat that complements the fresh vegetables and creates a more complex flavor profile.

Serving Up Spinach and Tomato Pasta Gracefully

• Rustic Dinner Companion: Pair this vibrant pasta with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the warm, hearty dish.
• Wine Lovers' Delight: Complement the pasta's flavors with a chilled glass of pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, enhancing the meal's fresh Mediterranean essence.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the pasta with grilled chicken breast, seared shrimp, or crispy pancetta to transform this vegetarian dish into a more substantial main course.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Serve alongside warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious olive oil and tomato sauce, adding extra texture and flavor to the meal.

Make-Ahead Tips for Spinach and Tomato Pasta

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm portions gently in a skillet with a splash of water or olive oil to restore moisture and prevent pasta from drying out or becoming rubbery.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep unused fresh spinach and tomatoes in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator's crisper drawer to extend their shelf life and prevent premature wilting.
• Advance Preparation Method: Chop garlic, slice tomatoes, and measure seasonings ahead of time to streamline cooking process and reduce kitchen cleanup time.

Creamy Spinach and Tomato Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Garlic-infused spinach and tomato pasta brings Mediterranean warmth to home kitchens. Simple ingredients blend perfectly for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) pasta (linguine or favorite type)
• 12 oz (340 g) little tomatoes (grape, cherry, etc.), cut in half
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach, tightly packed
• 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tbsps butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil and cook spaghetti or linguine until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes, ensuring a perfect texture that balances tenderness and firmness.
2. Sauce Foundation: In a spacious skillet, create a flavor base by combining butter and olive oil over medium heat, then introduce minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, avoiding any browning.
3. Tomato and Spinach Transformation: Add ripe tomatoes to the skillet, sprinkling with Italian seasoning, and gently cook until they begin to soften and caramelize. Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they wilt and merge harmoniously with the tomato mixture.
4. Pasta Integration: Reserve a quarter cup of starchy pasta water before draining, then transfer the hot pasta directly into the skillet. Combine the ingredients, using the reserved water to help the sauce adhere beautifully to each pasta strand.
5. Final Flourish: Shower the dish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, tossing to ensure complete coverage. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, making final flavor adjustments. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan and a delicate sprinkle of fresh basil.

Notes

• Preserve Pasta Water: Starchy liquid helps bind sauce to pasta, creating a silky, smooth texture and enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Control Garlic Cooking: Sauté garlic gently to prevent burning, which can introduce bitter notes and ruin the delicate sauce.
• Choose Tomato Ripeness: Select fully ripe tomatoes for maximum sweetness and vibrant color, ensuring a more robust and flavorful dish.
• Season Progressively: Layer salt and seasoning throughout cooking process to build depth and complexity in the final pasta preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg