Tender pasta tossed with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and spinach. An easy vegan pasta recipe for any night.
🧾 Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or fusilli)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Optional topping: vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ First, cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
3️⃣ Next, add the garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.
4️⃣ Then, add the tomatoes and cook for 3–4 minutes until juicy.
5️⃣ After that, stir in the spinach and cook until just wilted.
6️⃣ Next, add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss gently.
7️⃣ Finally, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir in fresh basil and serve warm.
💡 Tips & Variations
- For extra protein, add chickpeas or white beans.
- Alternatively, use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.
- For creaminess, stir in vegan cream or cashew sauce.
- Additionally, add olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Finally, finish with lemon zest for brightness.
🌟 Benefits of Tomato Basil Spinach Pasta
First, tomatoes provide antioxidants like lycopene.
Additionally, spinach adds iron and vitamins.
Moreover, fresh basil supports digestion.
Furthermore, this meal is naturally dairy-free.
In addition, it’s quick and budget-friendly.
Lastly, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
📊 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 6g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
🧒 Kid-Friendly Version
To start, reduce garlic and red pepper flakes.
Then, chop spinach finely so it blends in easily.
Additionally, use fun pasta shapes kids love.
Finally, sprinkle with vegan cheese for familiarity.
