One-Pan Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
A simple and delicious one-pan creamy tomato spinach pasta recipe that combines tender pasta with juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a rich plant-based creamy tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick, comforting, and flavorful meal made with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 9 oz tagliatelle nests (or spaghetti)
- 10.5 oz cherry tomatoes (red + yellow), halved
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Tomato Base
- 3 tbsp tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional but recommended)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Liquids & Oils
- 1 cup plant-based cream (such as oat cream or heavy cream)
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 3–4 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Layer the ingredients: In a large pan, place the pasta nests in the center. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, sliced garlic, and fresh spinach around the pasta. Add dollops of tomato puree and tomato paste (if using) on top of the pasta. Drizzle everything evenly with olive oil.
- Season: Sprinkle dried oregano, dried basil, chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper evenly over all the ingredients in the pan to build flavor.
- Pour liquids: Add the plant-based cream and vegetable broth carefully into the pan so that the pasta is mostly submerged but the layering remains intact.
- Cook covered: Place a lid on the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Let it cook for 11 to 13 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and the tomato cream sauce has thickened.
- Uncover & finish: Remove the lid and stir well to help the pasta fully absorb the creamy tomato sauce. Continue cooking uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes if the sauce needs to thicken further.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves, vegan parmesan if desired, or an extra drizzle of olive oil before serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute tagliatelle with spaghetti or any pasta of your choice.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
- Use plant-based cream to keep the dish vegan; heavy cream can be used if not avoiding dairy.
- Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the pan.
- For extra flavor, garnish with fresh herbs or vegan parmesan cheese before serving.
Keywords: creamy tomato spinach pasta, one-pan pasta recipe, vegan pasta, plant-based creamy pasta, easy stovetop pasta
