Raise your hand if you love pasta! *raises both hands* Pasta dishes are honestly my favorite- just ask any of my family or friends how much pasta I consume on a day to day basis. Whether you're making it from scratch or buying it from the store, it is a sure-found staple of any household or college dorm. Currently, I only supply food for myself and have 3 boxes of pasta on hand at all times. Now, this may seem a bit excessive, but pasta makes for really quick and simple meals, especially if you're constantly on a time crunch like me.
One of the easiest, simplest, and arguably the most iconic ways to eat pasta is with a simple sauce. Often times, I find myself using canned sauce. We all have our favorite brands that help us out when we're on the go. I know that when I am shopping for jarred sauce, I am always looking for sales or bargains. Some sauces are cheap, but often times the good ones run high in price.
Lucky for you, I come bearing a delicious and quick pasta meal! For under $10, or if shopping for a hard bargain, under $5 (yes, you heard me, under $5), this can be yours. Your palate and pocket will thank you. This dinner (or lunch, I had leftovers) satisfies anyone who is in need of something quick and/or cheap.
I was inspired to make this, as I recently acquired a mass of spinach from a work function where I had to cook for over 150 people, but that's another story for a rainy day. I couldn't complain though- spinach is my go-to green. It is excellent when cooked down, tossed in salads, or even deep fried (go figure)! Spinach is high in compounds such as lutein (helps improve eye health), kaempferol (an antioxidant that decreases risk of cancer), nitrates (promoting heart health), quercetin (wards off infection and inflammation), and zeaxanthin (also improves eye health). This is a super green, and one that I feel is often put to the wayside. Not only is it also rich in fiber, but it tastes great too! What's not to love?!
Some key tips:
1. Add in more spinach than you think it needs. Spinach wilts down, and no one likes just a sample of it. It's the star of the show!
2. Often times, it's easy to catch a good deal on spinach. If you happen to not score a bag in your price range, sliced mushrooms also make an excellent substitute. Just saute them with the onions in the beginning! Or just a simple creamy tomato sauce can work just as well!
3. Want to add a little more fiber and nutrients? Try whole wheat pasta instead!
4. If you are like me and are against cream cheese, substitute about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of half and half for the cream cheese. It will have a similar effect. I ended up using cream cheese in my rendition and had no issues with it.
5. When adding the cream cheese, cut it into smaller pieces. This helps to create more surface area. The heat can melt the cream cheese into the sauce faster because there is more space (and a less dense "brick") to melt. Just a nifty little trick (and chemistry correlation, of course)!
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Penne
Serves: 2
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups penne pasta
- 1/4 cup white onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 can diced tomato
- 2.5 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup spinach
- 2 Tbsp garlic powder
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
- 1.5 Tbsp dried basil
- 1.5 Tbsp dried oregano
Steps:
1. In a large pot, boil water over high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente (7-10 minutes). Drain in a colander.
2. While waiting for pasta to cook, dice onion. Add to a large skillet with olive oil and garlic powder over medium-low heat until soft and transparent (about 5 minutes).
3. Add diced tomato (with juices), oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to skillet. Stir to combine.
4. Add tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water to skillet until the tomato paste is fully dissolved into sauce. If you need to thicken the sauce, add more tomato paste.
5. Turn heat to low. Add cream cheese to sauce and stir until fully melted. Add the Parmesan cheese slowly until melted in.
6. Add spinach and stir into sauce until it has wilted (3-5 minutes). Add pasta to skillet and stir until well coated. Adjust seasonings as needed.
6. Serve and enjoy!
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