Let's make our family favorite creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta recipe that is filled with robust, fresh, and cheesy flavors! This pasta with fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes is an easy to make dinner that requires minimal prep and is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Table of Contents
Why I love this tomato spinach pasta?
- This creamy tomato spinach pasta is rich with aromatic flavors and one of a kind! Savory and delicious flavors of cream cheese, garlic, herbs, and cooked pasta come together to create one of the most flavorful recipes out there!
- You will have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes! I love how easy this recipe is to make with very little steps. All you need is a pot to boil the pasta and then a skillet to cook the sauce.
- Simple pasta dish recipes are perfect for whenever you're looking to create a delicious meal out of very little ingredients. You don't need much to make this recipe one of the best pasta dishes you've ever had.
- Pasta is comforting and a great way to stay full. This recipe such a great option whenever you are hungry and need something filling and delicious to eat.
- This tomato and spinach pasta is great for the entire family. Who doesn't love cheesy, comforting, and fresh warm pasta dishes?
*For more delicious and easy dinners, try these recipes:
Ingredients
When I say you don't need much to make sure this recipe comes out super flavorful and rich, I really mean it! Some simple ingredients are all you need.
- Oil – I like to use a high quality olive oil to make sure the smooth and pungent flavors come through. You can use a more neutral oil such as grapeseed or avocado.
- Garlic – Minced garlic cloves give this pasta recipe savory flavors that are a must for delicious flavors.
- Tomatoes – Plump cherry tomatoes are what I like to use because they are rich with flavor, but Roma tomatoes will also work for this recipe.
- Spinach – Washed baby spinach gives this recipe a hint of color and texture. Spinach is a great way to add extra nutrients to the pasta.
- Cream Cheese – Just a little bit of cream cheese is all you will need for this pasta and tomato recipe. The cream cheese gives this pasta its creamy and smooth textures.
- Pasta Water – Save a little bit of water from cooking the pasta. You will need it to make the cheese sauce!
- Parmesan – I like use freshly grated parmesan cheese because it is extra flavorful and savory. Pre-shredded parmesan will be okay but not the same.
- Basil – Dried basil gives this recipe its Italian flavors and fragrance. Fresh basil is also a great choice!
- Oregano – Oregano is a key ingredient in most savory Italian dishes and pairs well with the basil. You can use my homemade Italian Seasoning instead of dried basil and oregano for more depth of flavor.
- Seasoning – Red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper are all you need to make sure this dish has plenty of depth.
- Pasta – Use any choice of pasta that you would like. Some of my favorite varieities are farfelle, penne, rigatoni, or something similar.
How To Make Pasta With Spinach And Tomatoes?
This easy dinner recipe is great for nights whenever you are looking for something quick but appetizing. Dinner will be ready soon!
First, heat a little bit of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add half of the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook them for one to two minutes until they soften and wrinkle. Remove the tomatoes to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, add more oil and the rest of the minced garlic.
Cook the garlic for a few seconds, then add the fresh spinach. Stir until the spinach is just wilted but still bright green.
Next, turn the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese along with a little bit of the warm pasta water from boiling the pasta. Whisk until the cream cheese is creamy.
Add the grated parmesan, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir the parmesan and cream cheese sauce until it is fully mixed together.
Finally, toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until well coated. Add the sautéed cherry tomatoes and combine.
Serve the spinach and tomato pasta warm with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
FAQs
Yes, if fresh spinach is not handy, then you can use frozen spinach for this recipe. Be sure to thaw the frozen spinach before using it.
Heavy cream, crème fraîche, and half n half are great substitutes for the cream cheese.
To make this recipe vegan use egg-free pasta, vegan cream cheese and parmesan. For a gluten-free version, use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Variations
Maybe you want to switch things up with different veggies, flavors, and proteins. Easily customize this simple pasta recipe to fit your needs.
- Use different vegetables such as cooked peas, grilled eggplant, bell peppers, different types of mushrooms, kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and various grilled veggies for more flavors.
- Add some extra protein to this pasta dish by adding chicken, shrimp, sausage, grilled or baked salmon to the cooked pasta.
- Top the cooked pasta with feta cheese for extra cheesy flavors.
Serving Ideas
This pasta with spinach and tomatoes is delicious with garlic bread or naan, grilled chicken, side salads, and much more.
I like to make a serving of garlic chicken cheeseballs with this pasta recipe because the two are perfect together. This recipe is delicious with a variety of different sides.
Storage
- Store the leftover tomato spinach pasta in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
- To reheat this pasta, simply warm it in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl or warm in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.
You might also like
If you made my recipe, then please be sure to rate and review it below! If you'd like more deliciously easy recipe inspiration, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or YouTube. You can also get all of my newest content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my email newsletter.
๐ Recipe
Tomato Spinach Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Pasta - farfelle, penne, rigatoni or preferred variety (cooked as per packet instructions)
- 1½ tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 6 ounces Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 6 ounces Baby Spinach (washed)
- 5 ounces Cream Cheese
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving (grated)
- ¾ teaspoon Dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon Dried Oregano
- A pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper (as needed)
Instructions
- Heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ½ of the minced garlic and cook for few seconds.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and sauté for 1-2 minutes or until tomatoes just begin to wrinkle. Transfer to a plate and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil followed by the remaining minced garlic, cook for few seconds until fragrant. Then, add spinach and stir until it wilts but still green.
- Turn the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese along with ¼-⅓ cup water from boiling the pasta. Whisk until the cream cheese sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add grated parmesan, dried basil, oregano and red pepper flakes, season with some salt, freshly cracked black pepper and stir until parmesan melts. Spinach pasta sauce is ready.
- Toss the cooked pasta until coated in sauce, add the sauteed cherry tomatoes and combine.
- Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan, serve warm!
Notes
- Use different vegetables such as cooked peas, grilled eggplant, bell peppers, different types of mushrooms, kale, sun-dried tomatoes, and various grilled veggies for more flavors.
- Add some extra protein to this pasta dish by adding chicken, shrimp, sausage, or grilled salmon to the cooked pasta.
- Top the cooked pasta with feta cheese for extra cheesy flavors.
- Store the leftover tomato spinach pasta in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
- To reheat this pasta, simply warm it in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl or warm in a skillel on the stovetop over medium heat.
susan | the wimpy vegetarian says
This is totally my kind of recipe! Simple, flavorful, and using fresh veggies. And that it can be done super quick! Thanks!!
Aya says
I never thought of having spinach with pasta before. I'm so glad I tried it! It was amazing. The seasoning is perfect, and the cherry tomato adds such a nice flavor and texture. Thank you for a great recipe!
Mikayla says
I really like sautรฉed tomatoes and pasta for a quick go to dinner, so this recipe is perfect and the addition of spinach is great!
Heather says
so simple and so satisfying!! grilled eggplant or zucchini is a great idea to add
veenaazmanov says
This is such a colorful Platter. Spinach sounds healthy and cheese sound yummy. My family to love such Happy Meals.
Liz says
Adding the cream cheese sounds delicious! I've made tomato pastas before, but the idea of adding cream cheese sounds delightful!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing tomato spinach pasta recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Linda says
Love this recipe! So creamy, comforting, and makes a good weeknight dinner
Colleen says
This pasta looks simple and delicious and I happen to have all the ingredients on hand. Now, I know what's for dinner tonight!
sara says
When you say "cream" is it half & half or whipped cream that comes in the carton ?
Looks yummy! ๐
Farrukh Aziz says
Hi Sara,
Here I have used cream which is low fat and not half n half ๐
Thank you.
Regards,
Farrukh