Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

There are days when I’m craving pasta but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s when this dish comes to the rescue. I love how everything comes together in one pan — less cleanup, more flavor. The way the pasta absorbs the vegetable broth while cooking makes the sauce even more flavorful, and that touch of chili flakes gives just the right amount of kick.

What is Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta?

For me, Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta is comfort in a bowl. It’s a beautiful mix of linguine, ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a creamy sauce made with All-Purpose Cream, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese. I’ve been making this for years, and every time I do, I’m reminded that the simplest dishes can be the most satisfying. The vegetable broth not only cooks the pasta but also infuses it with flavor, so every bite is delicious even before the sauce is added.

Ingredients for Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

• Linguine – a classic long pasta that holds the sauce well
• Extra virgin olive oil – gives a rich aroma and helps bring out the flavors of the aromatics
• Garlic – I always add plenty because it’s the foundation of great flavor
• Onion – adds sweetness and balances the creaminess of the sauce
• Cherry tomatoes – their natural sweetness bursts through with every bite
• Spinach – fresh greens that add color, texture, and nutrition
• Red chili flakes – just enough to add a warm, gentle spice
• Nestlé All-Purpose Cream – my go-to for that smooth, velvety pasta sauce
• Vegetable broth – keeps the pasta flavorful from the inside out
• Ricotta cheese – creamy and slightly tangy, it works so well in this dish
• Parmesan cheese – for that salty, nutty finish

How to Cook Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta in 6 Steps

1. Sauté the aromatics
   Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, and red chili flakes. Sauté until fragrant — I love the smell at this stage, it already feels like comfort food is on the way.
2. Add the tomatoes
   Toss in the cherry tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices. This is where the sauce starts to build its flavor naturally.
3. Cook the pasta in broth
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Add the linguine, cover, and let it cook until al dente. Cooking pasta directly in the broth makes it so much more flavorful than boiling in plain water.
4. Add the greens
   Stir in the spinach and let it wilt gently. Fresh spinach cooks quickly, so this step only takes a minute.
5. Make it creamy
   Lower the heat and add Nestlé All-Purpose Cream, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Toss the pasta until everything is coated in a silky, creamy sauce.
6. Serve and enjoy
   Transfer to a serving plate. I like adding extra Parmesan on top before serving — it makes it even more irresistible.

Best Ways to Enjoy Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

I usually enjoy this pasta with warm garlic bread and a simple green salad. Sometimes, I’ll make it for lunch and pair it with sweet tea. It’s light enough for daytime but still filling enough to keep you satisfied until dinner.

What Makes This Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta Stand Out

What I really love about this dish is how the pasta absorbs all the flavor from the vegetable broth before it even meets the cream and cheese. Most creamy pasta recipes cook the pasta separately, but here, the broth does double duty — cooking the pasta and seasoning it at the same time. Add the fresh tomatoes and spinach, and you get a creamy pasta that doesn’t feel too heavy.

What to Have with Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

• Garlic Bread – crusty bread with a buttery garlic spread, perfect for soaking up the creamy pasta sauce
• Caesar Salad – crisp romaine lettuce with creamy Caesar dressing for a refreshing side
• Broccoli and Bacon Salad – Crunchy broccoli tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing with smoky bacon, cashews, and cheese.
• Roasted Cauliflower – roasted until tender and flavorful

Suggested Recipes

Filipino Fried Chicken

Menudo

Buko Pandan

How to Fry Pork Belly (Lechon Kawali)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other types of pasta?

Yes, spaghetti, fettuccine, or even penne will work. Just adjust the cooking time.

Can I skip the chili flakes?

Yes, if you prefer a completely mild pasta, leave them out.

What can I use instead of ricotta?

Cottage cheese or cream cheese will work as substitutes.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk.

Every time I make this Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta, I’m reminded how a simple recipe can turn an ordinary day into something special. Give it a try — I’m sure it will be a favorite at your table too.

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!

5 from 4 votes

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

A comforting pasta dish with linguine, cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a creamy sauce made with all-Purpose Cream, ricotta, and Parmesan, with just a hint of chili flakes.

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

• ▢ 12 ounces linguine
• ▢ 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 5 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 piece onion minced
• ▢ 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• ▢ 3 cups spinach
• ▢ 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes
• ▢ 250 ml Nestle All Purpose Cream
• ▢ 3.5 cups vegetable broth
• ▢ 0.75 cup ricotta cheese
• ▢ 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated
• ▢ Salt to taste
• ▢ Ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, and red chili flakes. Saute until fragrant.
  2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 5 cloves garlic, 1 piece onion, 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes
• Add the cherry tomatoes. Cook until they soften and release their juices.
  1 cup cherry tomatoes
• Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add the linguine. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
  3.5 cups vegetable broth, 12 ounces linguine
• Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted.
  3 cups spinach
• Lower the heat. Add the Nestle All Purpose Cream, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce is creamy.
  250 ml Nestle All Purpose Cream, 0.75 cup ricotta cheese, 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated
• Taste and season with salt and ground black pepper. Serve warm.
  Salt to taste, Ground black pepper to taste

Notes

• Use fresh cherry tomatoes whenever possible.  They add natural sweetness and freshness to the sauce.
• Cooking the pasta directly in vegetable broth infuses it with flavor, making the dish more savory without needing extra salt.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of hot broth or reserved pasta water.
• Do not overcook the spinach. Add it just before finishing the dish so it stays bright green and fresh-tasting.
• For a stronger cheesy flavor, add more Parmesan just before serving.
• You can replace ricotta with cream cheese or cottage cheese for a slightly different flavor and texture.
• Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy bacon if you want extra protein.
• This pasta pairs wonderfully with garlic bread and a simple salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 546kcal (27%) Carbohydrates: 39g (13%) Protein: 15g (30%) Fat: 38g (58%) Saturated Fat: 20g (100%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 13g Cholesterol: 98mg (33%) Sodium: 973mg (41%) Potassium: 420mg (12%) Fiber: 3g (12%) Sugar: 6g (7%) Vitamin A: 3969IU (79%) Vitamin C: 18mg (22%) Calcium: 217mg (22%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

© copyright: Vanjo Merano