Tomato Basil Pasta with White Beans and Spinach
A simple, easy-to-make stovetop pasta dish combining tender pasta with a fresh tomato and basil sauce, hearty white beans, and vibrant spinach for a nourishing dinner.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
- Sauce
- Vegetables
- Seasoning
- Garnish
Let’s make it
Cooking Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta.
Making Sauce
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Making Sauce
Add canned tomatoes to the skillet and stir well. Simmer the sauce gently for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
Making Sauce
Add the drained white beans and chopped fresh basil to the tomato sauce. Stir, and cook for another 5 minutes until heated through.
Making Sauce
Add the baby spinach to the skillet and cook until just wilted, about 2-3 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it.
Final Assembly
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to combine thoroughly. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Cook an additional 1-2 minutes to let flavors meld.
Serving
Serve hot, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips & notes
Use any pasta shape you like; penne or fusilli hold the sauce well. Fresh basil can be substituted with dried, but add it earlier in cooking. Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium. Save pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
Saving it for later
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Consume within 3 days. Beans and spinach may soften over time but the flavor remains good.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently to heat evenly without burning. Microwave reheating is also possible but may dry out the dish.
