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Delicious Spinach Tomato Pasta: A Creamy, Hearty, Flavor-Packed Meal


  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: ~30 minutes
  • Yield: Approx. 4 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A rich and creamy pasta dish combining paneer pasta with a tomato‑cream sauce infused with sun‑dried tomato oil, garlic, red chili flakes, and fragrant basil and spinach—finished with Parmesan for a savory Italian‑inspired meal. Add grilled chicken on top for extra protein.


Ingredients

  • 17 oz paneer pasta

  • 4 cups chicken stock

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 4–5 oz fresh spinach

  • 1 cup sun‑dried tomatoes

  • ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

  • 1 Tbsp sun‑dried tomato oil

  • ⅓ cup tomato paste

  • 1 tsp red chili flakes

  • 5 garlic cloves, minced

  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • 1 tsp black pepper


Instructions

  • Heat sun‑dried tomato oil in a pot over medium‑high heat. Add onion and cook until lightly browned.

  • Stir in garlic and sun‑dried tomatoes; cook 2–3 minutes. Add tomato paste; stir 2 more minutes.

  • Pour in chicken stock to deglaze and combine with tomato paste.

  • Stir in heavy cream, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.

  • Add paneer pasta to sauce; reduce heat to medium‑low and cook uncovered ~10 minutes, stirring frequently. Check pasta reaches about 75% doneness.

  • Add spinach and basil; allow spinach to wilt. Adjust consistency with extra stock or water if needed.

  • Stir in Parmesan until fully melted and sauce is creamy.

 

  • Remove from heat, stir together, then serve warm. Optional: top with grilled chicken.

Notes

Paneer pasta is a regional/unique ingredient—if unavailable, substitute with traditional pasta shapes.

Sun‑dried tomato oil layers extra flavor in the sauce; extra basil or a squeeze of lemon brightens the final dish.

For protein boost, grilled chicken or white beans work well.

Inspired by spinach + sun‑dried tomato cream sauce recipes from one‑pot pasta collections ([EatingWell: Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun‑Dried Tomato Cream Sauce]

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course, Pasta
  • Method: Stovetop, One‑pot
  • Cuisine: Italian‑inspired, Fusion

Keywords: spinach tomato pasta, paneer pasta, sun‑dried tomato pasta, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta