Tomato Basil Pasta with White Beans and Spinach
An easy, nourishing stovetop pasta dish combining tender white beans, fresh spinach, and a bright tomato basil sauce. Quick to prepare for a comforting dinner that’s both hearty and vibrant.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
- Sauce
- Main Ingredients
- Garnish
Let’s make it
Pasta Preparation
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 125 milliliters of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Sauce Preparation
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Sauce Preparation
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
Sauce Preparation
Pour in the canned diced tomatoes along with their juices. Stir well and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Main Dish Assembly
Add the cooked white beans to the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until beans are heated through.
Main Dish Assembly
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it.
Main Dish Assembly
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce and ingredients are evenly distributed. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serving
Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in chopped fresh basil if using. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, if desired.
Tips & notes
Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use fresh, ripe tomatoes if preferred, but canned tomatoes make this dish quicker. For extra protein, add cooked chicken or sausage. Stir fresh basil in right before serving for the best flavor.
Saving it for later
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not leave pasta at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Alternatively, microwave covered in short intervals until heated through.
