CREAMY TOMATO AND SPINACH PASTA

This version of Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta uses just a touch of cream cheese and Parmesan to make a regular tomato sauce ultra rich and creamy. If you’re not into cream cheese, you could also add a splash (1/4 cup or so) of half and half to achieve a similar effect. I used regular pasta, but whole wheat would actually be pretty good in this and would add some extra fiber and nutrients to make it a more well rounded meal. I was lucky enough to get spinach on sale for $0.99 per bag (score!), but if fresh spinach is just out of your price range, this would also be really good with sliced mushrooms. Just cook the mushrooms along with the onions and garlic in the beginning. Or, hey, you could always do a plain creamy tomato sauce. Nothin’ wrong with that!

CREAMY TOMATO AND SPINACH PASTA

Easier than a box meal, this creamy tomato and spinach pasta is also more flavorful and delicious. 100% real ingredients.

Total Cost $3.72 recipe / $0.93 serving

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings

INGREDIENTS

1/2 lb penne pasta $0.89
1 small onion $0.25
2 cloves garlic $0.16
1 Tbsp olive oil $0.16
15 oz can diced tomatoes $0.59
1/2 tsp dried oregano $0.03
1/2 tsp dried basil $0.03
pinch red pepper flakes (optional) $0.02
1/2 tsp salt $0.03
freshly cracked pepper to taste $0.05
2 Tbsp tomato paste $0.11
2 oz cream cheese $0.48
1/4 cup grated Parmesan $0.42
1/2 9 oz. bag fresh spinach $0.50

INSTRUCTIONS

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender (7-10) minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander.
While waiting for the pasta to cook, dice the onion and mince the garlic. Cook both in a large skillet with the olive oil over medium-low heat until softened and transparent (about 5 minutes).
Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir to combine. Add the tomato paste and a 1/2 cup of water to the skillet and stir until the tomato paste is dissolved into the sauce.
Turn the heat down to low. Cut the cream cheese into a few pieces and then add them to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Use a whisk to stir the sauce until the cream cheese has fully melted in and the sauce is creamy. Add half of the Parmesan to the skillet and whisk until it is melted in. Add the remainder of the parmesan and whisk until melted in again.
Add the fresh spinach and gently stir it into the sauce until it has wilted (3-5 minutes). Add the pasta and stir until it is well coated in the creamy tomato sauce. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

source : budgetbytes.com

CREAMY TOMATO AND SPINACH PASTA