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In just 30 minutes, you can have this Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta. It’s spicy, garlicky, rich and savory!
Besides being a total soupaholic, I’m also die-hard pasta lover! It’s one food I just can’t live without. It’s easy to make, comforting and satisfying!
I’m from Long Island where there is literally an Italian restaurant around every corner (no matter where you are). Pizza, garlic knots, pasta, and subs were always a short drive/walk away. How could anyone resist?
I have lots of fond memories attached to Italian-style food, so I make it often. Some of my favorites are this Roasted Red Pepper Pasta, Pasta in White Wine Sauce, Fettuccine Alfredo, Penne Alla Vodka, Pasta Caprese and this Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta.
Oh, and there’s lots more to come so stay tuned!
Here’s what you’ll need: (full amounts in recipe card below)
Penne pasta
Olive oil
Onion
Garlic
Tomato paste
Red chili flakes
Oregano
White wine
Diced tomatoes
Vegetable broth
Salt & pepper
Vegan cream cheese
Vegan parmesan
Fresh spinach
If you don’t have homemade or store-bought vegan parmesan, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast instead (more if preferred). You can also swap out the vegan cream cheese for vegan sour cream. Either one will make the sauce super creamy.
I like to use low sodium broth, so I can control the salt taste. Some broths are too salty and can ruin a good recipe. If you would like to use a regular broth, make sure to cut down the added salt in the recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Place pasta in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water and cook until al dente. This usually takes about 9-11 minutes, but go according to package directions. Now drain well and set aside.
Heat up the olive oil over medium heat. When heated, add the diced onion and sauté until translucent. Usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Now add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until it’s lightly brown. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. Now stir in the tomato paste, crushed red pepper, oregano and cook for 1-2 minutes. Move everything around the pan to prevent burning.
Add the white wine and turn heat up to medium-high to simmer. Once it’s simmering turn heat back to medium and cook wine down. Should take about 2-3 minutes.
Now add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt, and cracked pepper. Lightly simmer for 5-6 minutes until liquid reduces a little bit. Stir in the vegan cream cheese and parmesan. Add the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until it’s slightly wilted.
Now add cooked & drained pasta to the pan. Gently toss to coat. Warm pasta in sauce for a few minutes (*only if needed).
Otherwise, remove from heat and serve immediately. Top with cracked pepper, fresh-cut basil, and vegan parmesan.
Enjoy!
I’d love to hear from you
If you make this Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz penne pasta (GF if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion , diced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes * optional
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 26 oz pak/can diced tomatoes
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth , low sodium
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt , more to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper , to taste
- 1/2 cup vegan cream cheese , softened (sub vegan sour cream)
- 1/4 cup vegan parmesan (sub 2-3 tablespoons nutritional yeast)
- 2 cups (heaping) fresh spinach
Instructions
- Place pasta in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water. Cook until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- Heat up oil over medium heat. When heated, add onion and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until lightly brown. * Stir often to prevent burning.
- Now stir in the tomato paste, crushed red pepper, oregano and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add wine and turn heat up to medium-high to simmer. Once simmering turn heat back to medium. Cook wine down, about 2-3 minutes. Stir often.
- Add the tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Lightly simmer for 5-6 minutes until liquid reduces a little bit.
- Stir in the vegan cream cheese and parmesan. Keep stirring until melted and combined.
- Add the fresh spinach and cook until it's slightly wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Now add the pasta to the pan and gently toss to coat. (*For saucier pasta, don't add the full pound) Warm pasta in sauce for a few minutes only if needed). Otherwise, remove from heat and serve immediately. *Top with fresh-cut basil, cracked pepper, and vegan parmesan. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Melissa Huggins
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Cap'n Dave
No, no, NO! The red pepper flakes are NOT “optional”! (evil grin)
Sounds like you’ve just made a wonderful arrabiata sauce in a way, and I like the addition of the cream cheese or sour cream. I wonder what this would be like with a red instead of a white? Probably a bit too rich and smoky – I’ll stick with the white. Bet it would be good with a vegan Italian sausage as well!
I’d likely use mostaccioli over penne (i know, they’re essentially the same) for the smoother texture over the ridged type that penne has – personal preference, but I never really cared for that texture. Weird.
Making pasta tonight – a vegan bolognese with al dente vermicelli tossed with olive oil, garlic, parsley, and lemon. Saving this one for later – will probably end of making it next weekend!
Mmmmm!!! You always make me hungry!
Melissa Huggins
Lol! I LOVE red pepper flakes too or anything spicy!
Yum, red wine would be good too! I will try that next time with the sausage!
Vegan Bolognese sounds divine! Now I’m hungry too! Lol! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Peanut
Is there anything I could substitute white wine with?
Thank You
Melissa Huggins
Hi there, you can just omit that step altogether. It evaporates anyway. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Danielle
I made this last night for dinner and it was awesome! I had organic fire roasted Muir Glen diced tomatoes at home so I used them and it gave it some more spice, which I prefer. Thanks for another great pasta recipe!
Chandra
This was so easy and delicious! My husband and I both absolutely loved it! It was perfect for a quick weeknight meal!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Chandra! Thank you for making it! I’m so happy you both loved it. 🙂
Emily Hines
I don’t see where you put in the vegan cream cheese–should it go in on step 6 with the broth?
Melissa Huggins
Sorry about that. I just fixed it. The cheese goes in after the tomatoes and broth have cooked down. Thank you for letting me know. Have a great weekend! 🙂
Kris
This sounds delish! When do you add the cream cheese? I’ve read & re-read the directions & they aren’t there.
Melissa Huggins
Thank you for catching that! I fixed it now 🙂