15-Minute Creamy Spinach Tomato Pasta (An Easy Recipe!)

This isn’t your average jarred tomato sauce. We’re creating a silky, restaurant-quality cream sauce with a genius shortcut. A base of rich tomato passata is transformed into a velvety, luscious sauce with the simple addition of soft cream cheese and a splash of starchy pasta water. It’s a game-changing technique that delivers incredible creaminess without any heavy cream.

I promise you, from the first bite, you’ll be amazed by the depth of flavor. The tangy tomato sauce, wilted spinach, and savory parmesan come together in perfect harmony. It’s a satisfying meatless meal that the whole family will adore, and it’s so quick you’ll be making it on repeat for those busy weeknights.

Get ready to discover the most delicious and effortless 15-minute meal in your recipe collection.

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Why This Creamy Pasta is a Weeknight Dream

You are going to be so impressed by how much flavor and elegance you can achieve in just 15 minutes. Here’s why this recipe is a must-make:

• Ready in 15 Minutes Flat: The entire sauce is made in the time it takes to boil the pasta, making this the ultimate quick and easy weeknight dinner.
• Luxuriously Creamy Sauce Hack: The combination of cream cheese and starchy pasta water creates an incredibly rich, smooth, and velvety sauce without any heavy cream.
• A Wonderful Meatless Meal: It’s a hearty, satisfying, and flavorful vegetarian pasta dish that even dedicated meat-eaters will love.
• Made with Simple Pantry Staples: This recipe uses accessible, affordable ingredients like canned tomato, cream cheese, and spinach to create something truly special.
• Packed with Flavor and Freshness: The rich tomato sauce, fresh wilted spinach, and savory parmesan create a perfectly balanced and delicious meal.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Quick & Creamy Meal

This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients to create its incredible flavor and texture.

→ For the Pasta

• 8 oz (225g) Penne → Or your favorite medium pasta shape like fusilli or rigatoni.

→ For the Creamy Spinach Tomato Sauce

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil → For sautéing the aromatics.
• 2 garlic cloves, minced → The essential flavor base.
• ¼ teaspoon chili flakes → Optional, for a gentle background warmth.
• 14 oz (400g) tomato passata → Also called tomato puree. It’s the secret to a smooth sauce. Canned crushed tomatoes also work.
• ½ teaspoon dried basil → Or 1 Tbsp of fresh basil for a brighter flavor.
• ½ cup (100g) full-fat soft cream cheese → The key to our creamy texture. Make sure it’s softened.
• ½ cup (50g) grated parmesan cheese → Freshly grated is best for a smooth melt.
• 5 oz (150g) fresh spinach, washed → A generous amount that wilts down beautifully.

Let’s Get Cooking! Your 15-Minute Pasta Guide

This dish comes together in a flash, so have your ingredients ready to go!

Part 1: Cook the Pasta & Start the Sauce

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it shimmers, add the minced garlic and chili flakes (if using). Sauté for about one minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn!

Part 2: Build the Luscious Creamy Sauce

3. Simmer the Tomato Base: Pour in the tomato passata and season with salt, pepper, and dried basil. Stir and let the sauce come to a gentle bubble, then cook for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
4. The Creamy Transformation: Just before the pasta is done, reserve about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. Stir the softened cream cheese, grated parmesan, and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water into the tomato sauce. Continue stirring over low heat until the cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth, emulsified, and creamy.
5. Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet, a handful at a time. Stir it into the hot sauce and let it cook for about 2 minutes, just until it has wilted down. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Part 3: Combine and Serve

6. Drain and Toss: Drain the hot al dente pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the creamy spinach tomato sauce.
7. Coat to Perfection: Toss everything together for about 10-15 seconds until every piece of pasta is beautifully coated in the luscious sauce. Turn off the heat and serve immediately while it’s hot and creamy.

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Creamy Spinach Tomato Pasta

This creamy spinach tomato pasta is a luxurious and flavorful meatless meal that’s a breeze to make in less than 15 minutes! A genius hack using cream cheese and tomato passata creates an unbelievably rich and easy sauce.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Calories: 415

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 oz Penne 225 grams, or your favorite pasta shape

For the Creamy Sauce

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes optional
• 14 oz tomato passata 400 grams, or tomato puree
• 1/4 heaped teaspoon fine salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil or 1 Tbsp fresh chopped basil
• 1/2 cup full-fat soft cream cheese 100 grams
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 50 grams
• 1/4 cup pasta cooking water 60 ml
• 5 oz fresh spinach, washed 150 grams

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Large Skillet

Method

 

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. A couple of minutes before draining, scoop out and reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and chili flakes, and sauté for about one minute until fragrant.
3. Add the tomato passata, salt, and pepper. Stir and let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes until it is gently bubbling.
4. Stir in the cream cheese, parmesan, dried basil and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir continuously over low heat until the cheeses melt and the sauce is well combined and emulsified.
5. Add the fresh spinach, a handful at a time, and stir for about 2 minutes until it is just wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning.
6. Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
7. Turn the heat off and serve immediately, while hot and creamy.

Notes

Pasta Water is Key: The hot, starchy pasta water is the secret ingredient that melts the cream cheese and parmesan into a perfectly smooth, luscious sauce that coats the pasta. Don’t forget to reserve it!

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce and make it creamy again.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Creamy Pasta

These simple pointers will help you master this quick and easy dish.

1. Pasta Water is Liquid Gold. This is the number one secret to amazing pasta sauces. The hot, salty, and starchy water is an emulsifier that helps the cream cheese and parmesan melt into a silky, smooth sauce that clings to the pasta perfectly.
2. Use Tomato Passata for a Silky Sauce. Tomato passata is simply uncooked, strained tomatoes, and it’s the key to a super smooth, restaurant-quality sauce base without any chunks. You can find it in jars or cartons in most grocery stores.
3. Soften Your Cream Cheese. For the smoothest possible sauce, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. Cold cream cheese will be lumpy and won’t melt as easily. You can soften it quickly by microwaving it for 15-20 seconds.
4. Don’t Overcook the Pasta. Cook your pasta to al dente (meaning “to the tooth” – it should still have a slight bite). It will continue to cook for a moment when you toss it in the hot sauce, so pulling it from the water at the right time prevents a mushy final dish.
5. Add Spinach at the Very End. Fresh spinach wilts in a matter of seconds. Add it to the hot sauce right before you toss in the pasta to ensure it’s perfectly wilted but still retains some of its fresh texture and vibrant green color.

Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Leftovers

While this pasta is at its creamiest when fresh, leftovers are still delicious!

• Refrigerator: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools. To reheat, place it in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of water, milk, or broth and stir as it warms to loosen the sauce and bring back its creamy texture.

FAQs: Your Creamy Tomato Pasta Questions

Can I make this pasta dish vegan/dairy-free?

Yes, very easily! Use your favorite dairy-free cream cheese and a dairy-free parmesan alternative (or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor). The results will be just as creamy and delicious.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of passata?

You can, but it will change the texture and cooking time. You would need to blend fresh or canned whole tomatoes first to create a puree. Using tomato passata is the shortcut to that perfect, smooth consistency.

Can I add protein to this dish?

Absolutely! This is a fantastic base for adding protein. Cooked, shredded chicken, sautéed shrimp, or a can of rinsed and drained white beans (cannellini beans) would all be wonderful additions. Stir them in with the spinach at the end to heat through.

Is this recipe spicy?

The ¼ teaspoon of chili flakes provides a very mild background warmth, not a strong spiciness. If you are sensitive to heat, you can omit it. If you love a spicy kick, feel free to add a little more!

Final Thoughts: Your New 15-Minute Favorite

There is nothing more empowering in the kitchen than being able to whip up a meal that is fast, easy, and tastes absolutely luxurious. This Creamy Spinach Tomato Pasta is a true testament to the magic of simple ingredients. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that proves you don’t need a lot of time to create a spectacular family dinner. Enjoy every creamy, delicious bite!