Spinach Tomato and Olive Oil Pasta
This quick and easy spinach and tomato pasta recipe is a healthy, lighter option that tastes great for everyday dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 servings dry pasta noodles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin
- 2 to 3 roma tomatoes diced
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper*
- Salt & pepper
- Grated parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Lightly salt a large pot of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add pasta and cook for 12 to 13 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In the meantime, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add spinach leaves to the skillet in batches, cooking until shriveled. Stir frequently and continue adding spinach in batches until it has all cooked down, about 5 minutes.
- Lower heat to medium low. Add diced tomatoes and garlic, then season with basil, parsley, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Sauté until tomatoes are slightly softened and the juices have released, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat and set aside.
- When the pasta has finished cooking, strain and add cooked pasta to the tomatoes and spinach.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and an extra sprinkle of crushed red pepper, if desired, and stir to combine.
- Serve hot, topped with an optional sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
Pasta noodles: Any type of long pasta noodle will work, so choose your favorite! We often make fettuccine because it's always in our pantry, but thinner noodles (such as spaghetti or angel hair) are delicious in this recipe too.
Crushed red pepper: We use the 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper for seasoning the spinach and tomatoes, and then usually add an extra sprinkle or two at the end when mixing everything together with the pasta. It does add some heat to this dish, which is why we like to start small and add from there. Use your best judgment when adding extra if you choose to do so - it's easy to accidentally overpower the other flavors in this dish if you go overboard.
Serving suggestion: A fluffy bread and some dipping oils makes a great side for this dish. It also pairs well with a glass of wine!
Nutrition
Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 685mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 7249IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 3mg