Description
This creamy and flavorful Spinach Tomato Pasta is a perfect balance of rich, savory flavors. With creamy whipping cream, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan cheese, this pasta is a comforting dish with a hint of spice from red chili flakes. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal any time.
Ingredients
- 17 ounces paneer pasta
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 to 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
-
Prepare the Initial Ingredients
Gather all necessary ingredients: 17 ounces of paneer pasta, 4 cups of chicken stock, 1 medium onion chopped, 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, 4-5 ounces of fresh spinach, 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes, 1/3 cup of tomato paste, 1/2 cup of freshly shredded parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil, 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes, 5 garlic cloves minced, 1/4 cup of basil, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. -
Sauté the Vegetables
Heat a pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil.
Once the oil is warm, add the chopped onion and cook until slightly browned.
Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the pot, cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional couple of minutes, continuing to stir. -
Build the Sauce
Slowly add the chicken stock to the pot, mixing it in to deglaze the pan and blend with the tomato paste.
Once well combined, pour in the heavy whipping cream and mix well.
Add the black pepper, kosher salt, and red chili flakes, stirring to fully incorporate the seasonings into the sauce. -
Cook the Pasta
Add the paneer pasta to the pot and stir to incorporate it into the sauce.
Reduce the heat to low-medium and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Keep an eye on the pasta to ensure it cooks to about 75% done, checking for the desired texture. -
Add Vegetables and Complete Cooking
Add the fresh spinach and basil to the pot, allowing the spinach to wilt down.
If the spinach absorbs too much liquid, add a little more water or chicken stock for consistency.
Once the spinach has wilted nicely, stir in the freshly shredded parmesan cheese until it melts and distributes evenly throughout the dish. -
Finalize and Serve
Turn off the heat and mix everything together until well combined and creamy.
Serve the creamy tomato spinach pasta in bowls.
Optionally, add grilled chicken on top for a more substantial meal.
Enjoy your delicious creamy pasta dish!
Notes
- If you prefer a milder version, reduce or omit the red chili flakes.
- Feel free to substitute the paneer pasta with your favorite pasta variety.
- For extra protein, add grilled chicken or shrimp to the pasta before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian-American