Tomato Spinach Pasta is a light yet flavorful dish made with tender pasta tossed in a garlicky tomato sauce and wilted spinach. It’s a quick and healthy meal that’s full of vibrant color, fresh ingredients, and comforting Italian flavors—all ready in under 30 minutes!
Tomato Spinach Pasta
Why This Tomato Spinach Pasta Is the Best
- Fresh and Light: Juicy tomatoes and spinach keep it bright and wholesome.
- Garlicky Tomato Sauce: Simple ingredients come together for rich flavor.
- Quick and Easy: Minimal prep, maximum taste—ideal for busy weeknights.
- Naturally Vegetarian: Satisfying without needing meat, but easy to customize.
- Balanced and Nourishing: A great way to enjoy pasta while getting in veggies.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you need a quick lunch, a meatless Monday dinner, or something delicious and easy, Tomato Spinach Pasta is the answer. It’s elegant enough to serve guests and easy enough for everyday meals.
Ingredient Notes
Sauce:
- Heavy Cream: Lends rich, velvety smoothness to the sauce, creating a luscious base that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth to balance the richness of the cream and round out the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy umami kick that enhances the overall flavor complexity.
- Honey: Gently softens the acidity of the tomatoes for a well-balanced, slightly sweet finish.
- Onion Powder, Mustard Powder, Basil, Oregano, Parsley: This spice and herb blend layers the sauce with aromatic warmth, earthiness, and subtle spice, giving it an Italian-inspired richness.
Pasta:
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the sausage, infusing the dish with flavor and richness from the start.
- Ground Sausage (Hot, Sweet, or Mild): Adds bold, meaty flavor as the star protein, with customizable spice levels depending on your choice.
- Chicken Broth: Deglazes the pan and adds flavor while helping create the sauce’s base.
- Butter: Enriches the sauce and deepens its savory flavor as it melts in.
- Garlic: Adds aromatic sharpness and savory intensity that pairs perfectly with the tomatoes and sausage.
- Flour: Thickens the sauce slightly, ensuring it clings to the pasta.
- Tomato Paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor, making the sauce rich, bold, and well-rounded.
- Diced Tomatoes (Drained): Add chunks of juicy texture and freshness without excess liquid.
- Cream Cheese (Optional but Recommended): Contributes a touch of creamy tanginess and extra smoothness to the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Brings salty, nutty complexity and helps thicken and flavor the sauce.
- Pasta: Acts as the perfect base to hold the creamy, tomato-rich sauce and hearty mix-ins.
- Baby Spinach: Adds freshness, nutrients, and vibrant green color that lightens and balances the richness.
Tips for Making the Best Tomato Spinach Pasta
- Use Fresh Garlic: It’s the foundation of the flavor—don’t skip it.
- Add Tomatoes at the Right Time: Let them soften and release their juices without overcooking.
- Toss in Spinach Last: It wilts quickly and stays bright green.
- Reserve Pasta Water: It helps create a silky, cohesive sauce.
- Top with Parmesan or Feta: For extra creaminess and tang.
Serving Suggestions
- With Crusty Bread: For soaking up the sauce.
- With Grilled Chicken or Shrimp: To turn it into a protein-packed meal.
- With a Side Salad: A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs perfectly.
- With Extra Chili Flakes: If you like a little kick.
A Must Try
Light, flavorful, and so easy to make, Tomato Spinach Pasta is the kind of dish you’ll come back to again and again. It’s packed with flavor, comes together quickly, and feels both wholesome and comforting. If you love easy pasta dishes with fresh ingredients, this one’s for you.
Be sure to check out these other delicious dinner recipes!
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Chicken Scampi Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Creamy Sausage Pasta
Tomato Spinach Pasta
Tomato Spinach Pasta is packed with creamy sauce, bold sausage, sweet tomatoes, and fresh spinach over tender pasta—flavorful, hearty, and totally comforting!
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp EACH: onion powder mustard powder, basil, oregano, parsley
Pasta
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ½ lb. ground sausage hot sweet, or mild
- ½ pound Pasta
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp softened cream cheese optional
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes drained
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 3 cups packed baby spinach or up to 4 oz.
Instructions
- First, mix all the sauce ingredients in a large measuring cup with a spout—super handy for pouring later! Set it aside for now. Then, measure out the rest of your ingredients so everything’s ready to go.
- Heat some oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the sausage and cook it, breaking it up as you go, until it’s fully browned and cooked through—this should take about 7 minutes. Once it’s done, scoop it out and set it aside.
- Now’s a great time to get your pasta water going! Fill a pot with water, add a good pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil while you move on to the next steps.
- Pour the chicken broth into the same skillet you used for the sausage—no need to dirty another pan! Set the heat to medium and use a silicone spatula to gently scrape up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom. That’s flavor gold! Let it simmer for about 4 minutes until it’s reduced by half.
- Next, stir in the garlic and let it cook for just a minute. Add the butter and let it melt, then sprinkle in the flour. Toss in the tomato paste and give everything a good stir to combine. Keep stirring for 1–2 minutes until the floury smell disappears.
- Now it’s time to add the sauce mixture you made earlier—pour it in slowly, a little at a time, while stirring constantly to keep the sauce smooth and thick. Add the drained tomatoes and bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Toss in the cream cheese and let it melt into the sauce while you boil your pasta until al dente. Once the pasta’s ready, drain it.
- Lower the heat and slowly sprinkle in the Parmesan, stirring the whole time so it melts smoothly. Add the spinach and let it wilt for 2–3 minutes, then stir in the cooked sausage.
- Finally, add the pasta and mix everything together. The sauce will keep thickening as it sits—so dig in while it’s creamy and delicious! 🍝✨
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Tomato Spinach Pasta