Tomato Spinach One-Pot (Print Version)

A flavorful one-pot pasta with tomatoes, spinach, and herbs cooked to tender perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz rotini pasta, uncooked

→ Vegetables

02 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices
03 - 3.5 oz fresh baby spinach
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

06 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese (optional)

13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, add finely chopped onion, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in canned diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper; mix well.
04 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then add rotini pasta and stir thoroughly to combine.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid has absorbed.
06 - Stir in fresh baby spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted.
07 - If desired, incorporate grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
08 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan if preferred.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so you get maximum flavor with minimum cleanup
  • The pasta absorbs all the tomatoey broth as it cooks, creating its own silky sauce
  • It's ready in 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
  • The pasta continues absorbing liquid even after you turn off the heat, so don't let it get too dry
  • Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water before it fully absorbs in case you need to loosen it later
  • Canned tomato quality varies dramatically, so taste before adding salt at the end
03 -
  • Use a pot that's wider rather than taller to help the liquid reduce more efficiently
  • Stir the pasta more frequently toward the end to prevent it from sticking to the bottom
  • If you want extra protein, stir in some white beans during the last 5 minutes of cooking
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