Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic (Sliced)
• 1 yellow onion (Finely chopped)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (Halved)
• 1 cup spinach
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 0.5 cup chicken broth (Alternatively, use 1/2 cup water plus 1 chicken bouillon cube.)
• 0.5 cup water (Alternative to chicken broth; use with 1 chicken bouillon cube.)
• 1 chicken bouillon cube (Use only with the water alternative.)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup unsweetened heavy whipping cream
• 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated; additional Parmesan may be used on top if desired.)
• 1 tbsp parsley (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
• salt (To taste)
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp black pepper powder
• 1 tsp smoked red paprika powder
• 0.5 cup pasta water (Reserved from cooking the spaghetti; use as needed to loosen the sauce.)

Steps

1. 1

   Boil the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then set the cooked spaghetti aside.

2. 2

   Heat the oil and butter in a pan. Once the oil is hot and the butter has melted, add the sliced garlic.

3. 3

   Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

4. 4

   Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 1 minute, until translucent.

5. 5

   Add the halved cherry tomatoes and sauté for 1–2 minutes.

6. 6

   Add the tomato paste, red chili flakes, garlic powder, black pepper powder, smoked red paprika powder, and salt to taste. Mix well to combine.

7. 7

   Pour in the chicken broth, or the water combined with the chicken bouillon cube, and add the lemon juice. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes.

8. 8

   Add the heavy whipping cream. Cook over medium-low heat until the sauce starts to thicken.

9. 9

   Add the spinach and cook for 1 minute.

10. 10

    Lower the heat, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and mix well. Continue until the sauce thickens, then taste and adjust the salt as needed.

11. 11

    Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and mix until fully combined. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.

12. 12

    Top with additional Parmesan cheese if desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

The source gives chicken broth or a water-and-bouillon alternative. Reserve pasta water before draining; add it as needed if the sauce thickens too much. The source does not specify a pasta cooking time beyond following the package instructions.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• Italian-inspired
• vegetarian-option
• creamy
• stovetop
• quick dinner