Easy Tomato Cream Pasta (Print)
Delicious Italian-style pasta with penne, creamy tomato sauce, fresh spinach, sweet bell peppers, and gooey mozzarella. Perfect for quick meals.
# Ingredients:
→ Core Ingredients
01 -
3 cloves of garlic, minced finely
02 -
1 can (28-ounce) of crushed tomatoes
03 -
1 green bell pepper, diced
04 -
Half a cup of heavy cream
05 -
4 cups of fresh spinach leaves
06 -
1 tablespoon of olive oil
07 -
1 small yellow onion, chopped
08 -
1 lb of cooked penne pasta, drained
→ Spices and Seasonings
09 -
2 whole bay leaves
10 -
Red pepper flakes, start with half a teaspoon and adjust
11 -
Salt and pepper to your preference
→ Finishing Touches
12 -
Grate fresh parmesan over before serving
13 -
3 parsley sprigs to decorate
14 -
1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
# Steps:
01 -
Warm olive oil over medium heat in a big skillet. Toss in the onion and green pepper, letting them soften for 3-4 minutes.
02 -
Stir in minced garlic and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Continue for another 60 seconds.
03 -
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and drop in the bay leaves. Cover the pan and simmer on medium-low for 4-5 minutes.
04 -
Take out the bay leaves. Pour the cream in, season with salt and pepper, then add the spinach. Stir it all together, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the spinach softens.
05 -
Combine the cooked pasta, mozzarella, and parsley in the pan. Give it a good stir, then take it off the heat.
06 -
Dish it out right away with parmesan and parsley as a final touch.
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overcook the pasta; aim for a slight bite (al dente).
02 -
A large, deep pot works best for mixing everything together.
03 -
When chopping the veggies, try to keep the pieces about the same size.