Name: Pasta With Tomato and Spinach (20 Minutes)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: See Note 1 for variations and substitutes; 1.5 cup dry fusilli pasta; 2 teaspoon olive oil; 2 small tomatoes, chopped; 2 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced ((2 cloves)); 1 1/2 cup tomato sauce (good quality); 5 cup fresh baby spinach; 1/3 cup chopped black olives; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste); 1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese ((regular or low fat)); 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; salt and black pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe

This spicy, cheesy pasta with tomato and spinach is a quick and easy vegetarian meal. Melty cheese, tangy olives, tomato sauce and healthy spinach. A simple dinner in a skillet.

Perfect for when you only have 20 minutes or so to put dinner on the table or you’re looking to add another meatless meal to the rotation.

plate of pasta with spinach tomato and cheese

What to expect

This easy pasta recipe has great flavor combined with the comfort food factor, meaning a melted cheesy pasta dish the whole family will enjoy.

I up the nutrition with extra tomatoes, fresh spinach and high-fiber pasta. It’s a great way to sneak in extra veggies too.

The briny olives and red pepper flakes give it a nice kick but feel free to leave one or both out if you’re not a fan.

All you need is about 20 minutes, assuming you have a homemade or bottled prepared tomato sauce on hand. Hard to beat that for a quick homemade meal.

Ingredients – tailored to your taste

pasta, salt, pepper, grated cheese, garlic, olives, tomato sauce, tomatoes, spinach — **Ingredients:** dry pasta, salt, grated mozzarella cheese, garlic, olives, tomato sauce, red pepper flakes, fresh tomatoes, fresh spinach, Parmesan cheese

Cheese: I use grated Mozzarella cheese from a package if that’s what I have around. Fresh mozzarella or small mozzarella balls (Bocconcini) is better, though, as it has more moisture and melts better.

Pasta: Use any kind of pasta such as regular penne, fusilli, ziti or whole wheat pasta.

Spinach: Use fresh baby spinach (or regular spinach) if available. Otherwise, frozen spinach is fine too – about 8-10 ounces, thawed. Squeeze out the moisture before adding it.

Tomato Sauce: Use any good quality tomato sauce (we use White Linen from Costco).

Olives: Use black or green olives. Or leave them out if you don’t like them. If you don’t have olives, try a couple of tablespoons of rinsed capers.

Variations and substitutes

Healthier version: Use low-fat cheese if you want to reduce calories and fat. Or less cheese. Saute extra veggies before adding the tomato sauce. Good options are peppers, mushrooms, zucchini or whatever you have around. Use pasta with whole grains for extra fiber.

Creamier, richer version: Add a bit of cream cheese or a splash of half and half cream (or heavy cream if you don’t mind the calories).

Stretch the meal: Add cooked Italian sausage, shrimp or chicken chunks for a bulkier non-vegetarian meal.

Up the flavors: Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.

Step by step instructions

pasta draining in colander — Cook pasta according to package instructions to al dente or how you like it. Drain and set aside.

sauteed tomatoes in skillet — Saute fresh tomatoes in a large skillet for a few minutes, then add garlic and tomato sauce.

tomato spinach sauce in skillet — Add baby spinach and olives. Cook for a minute or two on medium heat until spinach is wilted.

tomato spinach pasta in skillet — Add cooked pasta, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine until cheese is melted. Serve with extra shaved Parmesan cheese on the side if you like.

Shortcuts

Leave out the tomatoes and the extra step of sauteing them if you want (I like the extra chunkiness in the sauce so I add regular or fresh cherry tomatoes).
Use garlic from the jar or frozen cubes instead of fresh garlic.
Buy fresh pre-washed baby spinach.
Buy fresh pre-grated cheese.

Make Ahead

The pasta warms up beautifully in the microwave over the next few days.
Keep leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge.

What to serve with the pasta

Serve this easy recipe with a nice warm crusty bread, cheddar biscuits, garlic bread, or a side salad like winter salad or fig salad.

For dessert, how about a simple 10-minute no-bake berry crumble or easy berry compote on cake?

forkful of pasta with spinach tomato and cheese p

Other easy vegetarian pasta dishes

All these recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less.

If you like this recipe, please leave a 5 star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟in the recipe card below. And if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments. Thanks very much!