Tomato Spinach One-Pot Rotini (Printable)

Vibrant rotini pasta simmered with tomatoes and spinach in a savory broth for a quick, satisfying meal.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz rotini pasta, uncooked

→ Vegetables

02 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices
03 - 3.5 oz fresh baby spinach
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

06 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Cheese

12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
03 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, dried oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then add rotini pasta. Stir well to ensure pasta is submerged and separated.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in fresh spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until completely wilted and incorporated.
07 - Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy, coating the pasta evenly.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The starch from the pasta creates an impossibly creamy sauce without any heavy cream or complicated techniques
  • Everything cooks in one vessel, meaning you spend more time eating and less time scrubbing dried sauce off multiple pots
  • This pasta somehow tastes even better as leftovers, the flavors deepening overnight like a proper stew
02 -
  • The pasta continues absorbing liquid even after you turn off the heat, so leave a little extra liquid in the pot than seems necessary
  • Stir frequently during the last few minutes of cooking because that starchy pasta loves to cling to the bottom of the pot
  • If the sauce gets too thick before the pasta is done, splash in a bit more broth or water
03 -
  • Use a pot wider than it is deep so the pasta cooks evenly rather than in layers
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre grated, the melting difference is remarkable
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