If you’re looking for a flavorful, creamy, and comforting pasta dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes, this Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta is the perfect recipe! It has a rich, creamy sauce, diced tomatoes, and fresh spinach. This pasta dish is ideal for a quick weeknight meal or even an impressive dinner for guests.
This recipe was originally published in 2014 and updated in 2025 with new images and content.
My whole family loves pasta. This is one of our favorite pasta recipes because it’s so EASY to make! It’s on repeat because it’s a one-pot meal in less than 30 minutes. Besides who can resist the combination of spinach and tomatoes?
My kids are kind of picky about creamy pasta sauces. Some are too thin, greasy, or too thick. I’ve experimented with several recipes to the perfect consistency!
This creamy pasta recipe is cheesy (which we love). It’s also packed with flavor, thanks to the pesto! In fact, it’s so full of yummy flavor that my kids don’t even complain about the fresh spinach and tomatoes. I love they are getting extra veggies!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to love this simple pasta dish! So yummy!
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes! One pan!
- Creamy & Flavorful – Rich and creamy combination of cream cheese, parmesan, and pesto.
- Nutritious – Spinach and tomatoes add a fresh, healthy touch.
- Versatile – Easily customizable with your favorite pasta or protein (think chicken or steak).
- Great for Meal Prep – Tastes just as delicious the next day!
Ingredients
Here is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Scroll to the bottom for exact amounts.
- Pasta– Bowtie, rotini, and penne are all great options.
- Fresh Baby Spinach – Using prewashed spinach saves time! You can use frozen if that’s what you have.
- Fresh Tomatoes– Roma tomatoes are my favorite because they hold their shape and stay firm. You can use other types of tomatoes. Slice cherry or grape tomatoes in half.
- Heavy Cream
- Butter – Salted or unsalted. Just use real butter!
- Cream Cheese – I use full fat. Reduced-fat cream cheese will water the dish down.
- Basil Pesto– I make extra homemade basil pesto and freeze to use in recipes like this. You can also use storebought. Pesto adds garlic flavor!
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – It’s best to use fresh grated parmesan cheese here, not the kind from the can. Fresh parmesan is moist and more flavorful than the drier and less flavorful parmesan cheese from the can.
Optional Garnish:
- Additional parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper and salt
- Fresh parsley, basil, or other herbs
How to Make Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Making pasta with fresh tomatoes and spinach is quick and easy! I included images of the pasta sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pan, add heavy cream, butter, cream cheese, parmesan, and pesto. Cook over medium heat, whisking until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the diced tomatoes and chopped spinach, mixing well. Remove from heat once the spinach starts to wilt.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. If needed, add extra cream to reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish & Serve: Top with fresh herbs, extra parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
It’s fun to switch this recipe up to make it exactly how your family likes it. You can keep it simple or get as creative as you’d like! The sky is the limit here! I’ve noticed that adding too many “extras” makes it less saucy.
- Protein – Add grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, cooked and crumbled bacon, or diced ham for extra protein.
- Spice It Up – A pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Different Pasta Options – Swap bowtie for penne, fettuccine, or any shape of pasta you have on hand. Noodles with a little texture are best because the sauce sticks to them better.
- Lighter Version – Substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream, although it will change the texture.
- Veggies – Add cooked green peas, broccoli, or zucchini.
The sauce will thicken as it cools. You can always add more cream to the pasta to thin, if needed.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers might look dry or separated. Adding a little cream to the pasta as it is reheated will smooth it out.
- To reheat, warm the spinach tomato pasta gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk until it has a creamy consistency.
- You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between to prevent drying out.
FAQ
While the pasta itself can be frozen, the sauce may separate when it thaws. Freezing will drastically change the texture of the tomatoes and spinach. It’s so quick and easy to make so it’s better to make it just before serving.
Kind of! Honestly, this pasta recipe is so quick and easy to make that I never make it ahead of time. You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it separately. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and toss it with freshly cooked pasta, then add tomatoes and spinach to the creamy sauce. You may need to add additional cream until you have the right consistency.
Mascarpone or ricotta cheese are good substitutes. The dish will have a slightly different texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Spinach and tomato pasta is yummy served with pretty much any type of bread and a green salad.
- Green salad with homemade croutons (so worth the effort) and homemade French dressing.
- Rhodes Parmesan Garlic Dinner Rolls
- Easy Parmesan Garlic Knots
- No Knead Honey Whole Wheat Bread
- Homemade Garlic Butter Parmesan Breadsticks
Easy Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Recipe
Easy Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta cooked to al dente
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 2 diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2. Tablespoons butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Optional Garnish
- parmesan cheese
- freshly ground black pepper and salt
- parsley or basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
- Add heavy cream, butter, cream cheese, parmesan, and pesto to the saucepan. I use the same pan I use to cook the pasta. Whisk while cooking over medium heat until the sauce is smooth.
- Add diced tomatoes and spinach to the sauce. Stir. Remove from heat.
- Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Add additional cream to thin the sauce to desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or basil and grated parmesan.
Amy Engberson says
This pasta is full of the fresh flavors and makes the best leftovers!
Deb Harris says
I just found your blog today & I’ve been looking at all of it & really enjoying it. This pasta dish sounds so summery!( I have to try a month Gluten free for a month, I’ll make it normally for my husband & sons. Hopefully I can find a good free pasta too. I’ve already saved sev recipes already & I’m sure I’ll find many more. I was hoping to subscribe by email but don’t see it offered. I’m about to check pinterest & will check the blog when I can. Hope you might consider adding email subscription as an option.
Amy Engberson says
I’m so glad you are finding recipes to try! So sorry about the gluten free diet. My friend is on a gluten free diet and I know she has tried some gluten free pastas. Hopefully you can find some too! If you click on the RSS feed it will send you an email every time I post. I’m checking into a different email subscription right now. Thanks for stopping by!