Getting a healthy dinner on the table takes just one pan and about 25 minutes with my One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe. It’s a fresh, vibrant pasta dish that’s simple yet bursting with flavor, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend meals.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first stumbled across this style of pasta when I needed a no-fuss dinner that didn’t mean sacrificing flavor or freshness. Since then, it’s been a go-to in my kitchen, especially when I want something wholesome but still light. The shoulders-length pasta soaking up that juicy cherry tomato goodness alongside spinach? Pure magic.
- Speedy and Simple: All ingredients cook together in one pan in just about 25 minutes, saving cleanup and time.
- Fresh and Flavorful: Cherry tomatoes burst in the pan, mingling with garlic and basil to create a naturally fresh sauce.
- Flexible and Adaptable: You can easily swap veggies or tweak seasoning to suit tastes or dietary needs.
- Great for Leftovers: It reheats beautifully, making it a perfect candidate for lunch the next day.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This pasta is a lovely harmony of simple, fresh ingredients that cook together effortlessly. The key here is using a pan deep enough for the pasta and liquid to all cook evenly, creating a silky sauce from the tomatoes and water.
- Linguine: The classic long pasta shape is perfect here—the flat noodles hold onto the tomato sauce exquisitely.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These add juiciness and slight sweetness that turns into a gorgeous sauce as they burst while cooking.
- Baby Spinach: Fresh and tender, it wilts down quickly and adds color and a mild earthiness.
- Small Onion: Thinly sliced for sweetness and a little bite as it softens in the cooking process.
- Garlic Cloves: Sliced thin to infuse the pasta with warm, aromatic depth.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Tossed in to bring an herby freshness at the end, but also scattered throughout for layers of flavor.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The base that gently cooks everything and carries the flavor.
- Crushed Red Pepper: Adds a subtle heat without overpowering the dish.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing all the fresh ingredients.
- Parmesan Cheese (Optional): Adds richness and a salty finish if you like a little cheesy goodness.
- Boiling Water: The magic ingredient that softens the pasta while creating the base for your sauce.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you want to toss in more veggies or swap the pasta, it’s incredibly forgiving.
- Vegan Friendly: I usually skip the Parmesan for a vegan version or sprinkle over a bit of nutritional yeast for a cheesy vibe without dairy.
- Veggie Swap: Feel free to add zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers in the mix for more texture and flavor.
- Spice it Up: If you like more heat, I sometimes double the crushed red pepper or add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky twist.
- Gluten-Free Pasta: I've tried this with gluten-free linguine and it works perfectly—just keep an eye on cooking time as GF pasta can vary.
Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Fresh Ingredients
First things first, slice your cherry tomatoes in half, finely slice the onion and garlic, and roughly chop the basil. I like to have everything ready on the counter before I start cooking—that way, the whole process flows smoothly. Nothing worse than scrambling to slice garlic while the pasta is already in the pan!
Step 2: Combine Everything in a Large Deep Pan
Place the linguine, cherry tomatoes, spinach, onion, garlic, and basil into the pan. Drizzle with your olive oil and sprinkle with crushed red pepper and salt. Don’t stir yet—just let everything sit there while you bring the water to a boil.
Step 3: Pour in Boiling Water and Cook
Pour four cups of boiling water into the pan—this is important to start the cooking process fast and evenly—and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally with tongs to prevent sticking and check how the pasta is softening. This usually takes 8–10 minutes. The magic: as the water reduces, the tomatoes break down and form a natural sauce that hugs the pasta.
Step 4: Finish with Cheese and Basil
Once most of the water is gone and your pasta is tender, remove the pan from heat. Stir in the Parmesan and a few extra basil leaves if you have them. This final step brightens the dish and adds a luxurious finish—you can skip the cheese if you want, but I love this touch.
Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the fresh, comforting flavors!
Top Tip
Having made this recipe countless times, I’ve learned some little tricks that make all the difference for perfect pasta every single time.
- Use Boiling Water: Adding boiling water ensures the pasta starts cooking immediately—don't use cold or lukewarm water as it can lead to uneven cooking.
- Stir Frequently: Stir with tongs every few minutes to prevent the linguine from sticking together or to the pan bottom.
- Choose the Right Pan: A deep, wide pan is essential so the pasta has space to spread out evenly and cook properly.
- Don’t Skip the Fresh Basil: It adds a fresh herbal lift that transforms the whole dish, especially if you add some at the end as a garnish.
How to Serve One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this pasta with a sprinkle of extra parmesan, a drizzle of good olive oil, and a few fresh basil leaves. Sometimes, I throw in toasted pine nuts for a little crunch, which gives a lovely texture contrast.
Side Dishes
It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce. I also sometimes serve it alongside roasted chicken breasts for a fuller meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual dinner party, I’ve served this pasta family-style on a big platter, garnished generously with basil and bright cherry tomatoes left whole for a pop of color. It’s a real crowd-pleaser and looks gorgeous after plating.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pasta stores well in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container. I find it even tastes better the next day once the flavors have melded a bit. Just make sure to cool it to room temperature before refrigerating to keep everything fresh.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this pasta successfully, though I recommend freezing it without the Parmesan and fresh basil stirred in. Leave those to add fresh when you reheat. Thaw gently overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, I like to warm it gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or olive oil to revive the sauce and keep the pasta from drying out. You can also microwave it covered for a couple of minutes, stirring halfway through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can substitute linguine with spaghetti, fettuccine, or even penne. Just keep in mind the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the shape and thickness.
Absolutely. Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or swap it out for nutritional yeast or a plant-based Parmesan alternative to keep the dish vegan-friendly.
Stirring frequently with tongs every few minutes is key; this keeps the pasta separated and ensures even cooking. Using boiling water also helps the pasta cook properly and reduces sticking.
Yes, you can prepare it ahead and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or olive oil to refresh the sauce.
Final Thoughts
This One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe really feels like a little gift each time I make it—simple ingredients transformed into something comforting, fresh, and flavorful. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want a tasty meal without stress or fuss. I’m excited for you to try it in your kitchen and see just how easy and satisfying fresh pasta can be!
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One Pan Cherry Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This One Pan Pasta recipe delivers a delightful and easy meal with linguine, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, onion, garlic, and fresh basil all cooked together in one pan. Finished with optional Parmesan cheese, it's perfect for a quick, flavorful, and convenient dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces linguine
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 2 ounces baby spinach
- 1 small onion, finely sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cheese and Liquids
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- 4 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large deep pan, place the linguine along with cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, sliced onion, garlic, and basil. Drizzle the olive oil over the top, then season with crushed red pepper and salt.
- Cook Pasta: Pour the boiling water into the pan and bring everything to a boil over medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with tongs, until the liquid has nearly evaporated and a sauce has formed.
- Add Cheese and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and additional fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy.
Notes
- This recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute linguine with gluten-free pasta.
- To make it vegan, omit the Parmesan or use nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan alternative.
- For a creamier sauce, replace some water with milk.
- Feel free to swap out vegetables according to your preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 551 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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