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This easy and vibrant one pot pasta dish with spinach and tomatoes brings together fresh ingredients for a quick and satisfying dinner. With everything cooked in a single pot, cleanup is easy and the pasta absorbs all the delicious flavors of garlic, broth and juicy tomatoes. Tender spinach adds a pop of color and freshness, while olives and basil deliver bold, savory accents. This simple recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty and homemade.
This one pot pasta with spinach and tomatoes is full of fresh flavor and comes together quickly. It’s a tasty, satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.
You might also like stuffed rigatoni pasta pie, lasagna al forno, antipasto salad, or taco macaroni and cheese.
Why You’ll Love It
Quick and easy: Ready in just one pot with minimal prep.
Packed with flavor: Garlic, broth and basil add bold, savory notes.
Fresh and healthy: Spinach, tomatoes and olives bring color and nutrients.
Minimal cleanup: No extra pots or strainers needed.
Perfect for busy nights: Hearty, wholesome and fast to make.
One Pot Pasta Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pasta: Gemelli or any short pasta works well in this dish.
Olive oil: Adds richness and helps sauté the aromatics.
Onion: Provides a savory base for the sauce.
Garlic: Delivers aromatic depth and a classic flavor punch.
Cherry tomatoes: Add sweetness and burst as they cook.
Vegetable broth: Infuses the pasta with savory flavor while cooking.
Baby spinach: Wilts into the dish for freshness and color.
Black olives: Add a salty, briny contrast.
Basil: Finishes the dish with fresh, herby brightness.
How to Make One Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Sauté the aromatics: Cook onion and garlic in olive oil until softened.
Simmer the pasta: Add pasta, tomatoes and broth and cook uncovered until tender.
Stir in greens and olives: Add spinach and olives, cooking just until wilted.
Finish and serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Substitutions and Variations
Make it gluten free: Use gluten free pasta instead of gemelli.
Switch the greens: Try kale or arugula in place of spinach.
Different olives: You can use black, green or kalamata olives, as you prefer.
Add protein: Mix in cooked beans or shredded chicken.
Use different pasta: Penne, fusilli or farfalle also work well.
Serving Suggestions
Side dishes: Pair your one pot pasta with a lemon and parmesan salad, some antipasto skewers or mushroom focaccia.
Wine pairing: Enjoy a glass (or two) of Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or your favorite dry rosé with this dish.
Dessert: Finish your meal with limoncello bundt cake or Italian rice pie.
How to Store One Pot Pasta
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container (or in the cooking pot with the lid on) in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Don’t overcook the spinach: Add it at the end to preserve its texture.
Use a large pot: This gives the pasta room to cook evenly.
Taste and season: Adjust salt and pepper to balance flavors.
Add more broth if needed: The liquid can reduce quickly so keep an eye on it.
One Pot Pasta with Vegetables FAQs
Yes, canned diced tomatoes will work, though the texture will be softer.
Yes, just use a large enough pot and adjust the broth as needed.
Yes, as written, it’s completely plant based.
One Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes Recipe
One Pot Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Pound pasta, I used gemelli
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 Cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 ½ Cups vegetable broth
- 3 Cups baby spinach
- ½ Cup black olives, pitted
- ½ Cup basil, fresh, chopped
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and onion and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add the pasta, tomatoes, and the broth. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is cooked through and liquid has reduced (10 to 12 minutes). Add more water if needed and stir often to prevent the pasta sticking.
- Once the pasta is cooked, mix in the spinach, black olives and cook for 5 minutes for the spinach to wilt. Drain off the excess cooking liquid.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Notes
Use a large pot: This gives the pasta room to cook evenly.
Taste and season: Adjust salt and pepper to balance flavors.
Add more broth if needed: The liquid can reduce quickly so keep an eye on it.
Nutrition
This one pot pasta with spinach and tomatoes is an easy, flavorful meal that brings fresh vegetables, pasta and herbs together with very little effort. Everything cooks in one pot, letting the ingredients soak up every bit of flavor. It’s perfect for a comforting dinner that doesn’t require a pile of dishes. If you’re looking for a healthy and satisfying recipe that’s fast to prepare, this one is a great choice for your weekly meal rotation.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I’m all about easy meals, and this one-pot wonder was spot-on!
This one exceeded my expectations! So flavorful!
There was no leftover. It was so good!
It doesn’t get much easier to prepare than this. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us.
It looks really healthy and tasty. I will try at home this weekend. Thanks for sharing with us.
I’ve never had a dish like this before. It looks really good! Beautiful recipe and amazing captures! Nice post.
Wow!! Those look absolutely delish!!
I’ve never had a dish like this before. It looks really good!
It looks really healthy and tasty. I will try at home this weekend. Thanks for sharing with us.
Yum!!! You always have the yummiest recipes!!! My taste buds love you but my hips are expanding!!! 🙂
This looks delicious!
This looks so yummy and easy to make.
This looks absolutely amazing. I am adding this to my meal plan.
This looks really good and I can’t wait to give it a try.
I’m a 63 year old grandma, and I love one pot meals. I would add some sweet Italian sausage to this. Although it does look good with no meat added.
This looks absolutely amazing. I am adding this to my meal plan for this month.
This is awesome. One pot dishes are easy to make for people who are sooo busy like me. Thanks for sharing this recipe, my hubby loves pasta, he will definitely like thia.
Pasta is my ALL TIME FAVORITE FOOD. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack – whatever. Definitely adding this recipe to this week’s meal planning!
Thanks, Savannah!
Me, too! I love pesto on grilled cheese!
Thanks, Brittany!
Yummy!! I love pasta and for real it is simple to cook https://giiybu.blogspot.com
Yes, anyone can make this.
This looks so good!
http://www.thesparklingdarling.com
Thanks, hon! 🙂
Such a bright colored pasta and sounds so yummy!
http://www.kayleighskloset.com
Thanks so much, Kayleigh!
Easy, delicious, healthy, and very little clean-up. What could be better?
I know, right!?! 🙂
This look so delicious! I’m a huge fan of all things Italian food!
Nicole // Chronicling Home
Me, too! Thanks!
Wow oh wow, this looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try and make this – it’ll be an easy make for my college budget!!
XO,
Sami || sparkleandshinesami.com
Yes, easy on the budget and great for using leftover veggies.
i love all your recipes honestly, another that will be bookmarked. I frikkinng love pasta ill try to do this recipe this week. x
Thanks, Anna! 🙂
One pot pasta is DEFINITELY one of my favorites, especially as a college student! Any recipe that requires less dishwashing is a GO for me! XO, Sarah | https://www.thebellainsider.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thebella
Yes! More time to study, lol!
I always love reading your blog posts because the pictures are soo pretty & your recipes are delicious 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Bella, this looks delicious and oh so easy! I may give the recipe to my room mate who really enjoys making a mess in the kitchen then not clean up. It’d be great for our next Italian night!
Lol! Your room mate sounds like me!
Yum! I LOVE pasta! And bonus for being healthy 🙂 Your grocery shopping pictures are adorable.
-Crystal
Thanks so much! 🙂
This looks delicious! I love that it only uses one pot!
Jennifer Ashley
http://www.prettylittledetails.ca
Thanks so much, Jennifer!
I love any one dish recipe and this looks like a really good one!
Thank you, Heather!
This pasta dish looks amazing and something even my kids would devour!
Yes, everyone loves pasta
This is a beautiful dish–all the colors are so appetizing. My family will love it!
Thanks, Anne!
That looks so good! I want to make it with Zoodles!
Yes!! Zoodles would be delish!
This pasta looks divineeee!! <3
https://sandrafsilva.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks, Sandra!
Yummy! It looks so delicious and it’s rather quick to prepare. I love the way you played out the ingredients. Your photos are stunning! If I may ask, what camera do you use?
Thanks! I have a Canon 70 D. I used a 24-70mm 2.8L lends for this. Good lighting is important.
I love a good pasta recipe! I have never added green beans to my pasta though and so I am definitely inspired by that and will try it out!
Thanks, Alison! Asparagus is good too.
Once again a delicious recipe! Thank you! I’m a gluten free person but luckily have found pasta made of soya beans, so i’m back to pasta recipes. i;ve been looking for recipes containing green beans 🙂
I have never tried GF pasta. I am curious to try ti.
OMG this looks amazing! Im always on the search for fabulous easy dinners! I love one pot pasta meals!
Thanks so much, Carrie!
This looks yummy. One pot is always awesome because it’s like a one hit wonder. LOL! Get in and out the kitchen fast.
Yes! More time for other things. Thanks!
It looks really tasty. I am now craving for a pasta like this that has a very rich taste.
Thanks, Franc!
I love one pot pasta meals! This recipes looks great!
Me, too! So easy. Thanks, Emily!
Yummm! My husband would LOVE this!
Thanks, Natalie!
YUM! This looks delicious and easy! Definitely going to have to make this soon!
xo Ashley
Thanks, Ashley! 🙂
I love how quick and easy this is! I’m definitely going to have to pick some of this up! 🙂
Yes, you need to try it. So easy to use.
This really looks doable! I love anything that you can master in one pot!
Me too! My kind of quick meal.
Thanks, Mimi!!
Thanks so much! : )
LOL. I have never heard pastaholic before. I think I am one too!
You can make this! So easy!
Pasta is our favorite and easy go food too. With so many veggies your recipe looks very healthy and delicious. I would love to give it a try with Chicken.
Thanks so much! Chicken or maybe even prawns. 🙂
This looks very delicious and is colorful. I never thought about adding green beans to pasta.
Asparagus would also be good in this instead of the beans. Thanks, Michelle!
well, I know what I’m making for dinner today! that looks fresh, light, healthy, and tasty! I cannot wait to try this recipe, thanks for the share!
Thank you, Eloise!
This looks so delicious. I bet the flavours are just to die for. Would love to make this for my family!
Almost everyone loves pasta! Thanks, Jeanine!
This looks so good! I love easy meals like this!
Thanks so much, Cassandra!
Yum! I love pastas like this. It seems super easy to make. I definitely think of pasta as a comfort food.
Yes, it is my comfort food, too! Thanks, Liz!
This looks so delicious! Fresh and perfect for summer. I LOVE pesto too. I don’t eat it nearly enough. 🙂
Rachel, thanks! I make pesto every year to freeze, but a jar sometimes makes it really handy for a quick unplanned meal.
I had no idea that you were half Italian but that might explain why everytime you post a recipe I automatically pin it. Pasta is my comfort food too, I had pasta with sundried tomatoes, sea salt, pepper and Quorn southern fried chicken pieces. It was delicious.
Thanks, Ana! Yes, my dad moved to Canada from Italy. I wish I spoke it better but I can understand most everything. The sundried tomatoes and fried chicken sounds so amazing!
This is great! I love pasta and I’m looking for tons of recipes to try since my boyfriend and I are moving into our first place at the end of the month. This is definitely going on the list!
How exciting! This would make a perfect meal with some chicken with it.
I love that this dish can be made in one pot. That’s so convenient. I love having pasta with a lot of veggies, so this recipe sounds delish!
Thanks so much, Jenn!
I love pasta!! This sounds so good, I love that it’s just one pot I hate dishes!
I don’t enjoy clean up much either. Thanks Jenny!
I love one pot dinners, makes life so much easier!
Yes, such a lifesaver! Thanks, Leah!
Girl, your photography is just stunning!!
Xx Taylor
https://lightscameracatwalk.com
Thanks so much!
oh yum that looks amazing!! Hope you have a great day!
XO JNESS
: JenessaSheffield.com
You, too, Jenessa! 🙂
This recipe looks very delicious. I love all the colorful vegetables! Barilla has been one of my top “go-to” pastas for years!
Thanks, Cheyenne!
This looks like a super delicious pasta dish to try to make. Love that it is one pot too, saves on dishes 😉
Yes! Thanks, Brandy!
Looks SO yummy!
XO
Molly
http://www.trendychickadee.com
Thanks so much, Molly!
Anything that is one pot is a great dinner. All those veggies look great, such a colorful dish.
Thanks, Rachel!
I would have to leave the walnuts out because of my husband everything else looks delicious. Love pasta on weeknights fast and simple.
Yes, so easy and most everyone likes. Thanks, Candy!
Looks yummy! I love veggies with my pasta!
Me, too! Thanks, Allison!
I have never tried Barilla’s Pronto line! How convenient is that? Lovely dish you have here! So vibrant and colorful!
Thanks, Beth! Vegetables have a way of adding so much colour to a meal.
I do like that one pot technique! And the vegetables look wonderful…
Thanks so much, Anne!
Barilla is my go to brand for my pasta dished. love them! This recipe looks amazing!
Thanks, Derek! 🙂
Looks delicious! And one pot? Love that!
Yes! Totally. Thanks, Maggie!
This pasta sounds so yummy! I love all the fresh greens in it. Pasta is one of my go-to quick and easy dinners as well, but I’ve never tried the Barilla pronto pasta… I’ll have to keep my eye out for it now. I also didn’t know that Barilla was started in Parma. I’m learning so much today! (P.S., I am totally guilty of eating food right out of the pan I cooked it in! I burst out laughing when you wrote that!)
Willow…there is nothing wrong with eating out of the pan. You will have the try this pasta.
I love one pot pasta meals. The lack of clean up is great and they always have so much flavor.
I totally agree! Thanks, Pam.
You cannot beat a one dish dinner. I don’t suck at cooking but I dislike doing it mostly. I’m more of a baker then a chef! Your fresh greens look SO good!
I know! Thanks so much, Amy!
I love pasta dishes like these! I’ll often make pasta with a pesto sauce, and add any bits of leftover veg sitting in the fridge. YUM!!
That is what I do, too! Whatever I have. Sometimes the oddest combinations are surprisingly tasty.
This looks amazing, it makes me feel summery – my Aunt makes similar pasta when we have bbq’s and its delicious!
It would be great at a BBQ. I think it would taste fantastic cold, too.
I already have this stuff in the fridge. Yesss, that’s dinner sorted
Awesome! Thanks, Caroline!
This looks really good and I am going to pin it. I can’t wait to give it a try.
Thanks so much, Christine!
Yum and love that it’s made in one pot!
I know…more time to do things other than clean up!
Oh wow! This looks amazing and such a fabulous time-saver! So much better than take out! (client)
Thanks, Stephanie! 🙂
Wow wow. Its lunch time here and you have made me hungry. I wish I had some pasta in the fridge. Off to eating something now. Hehhe
Fatima | http://www.blogsbyfa.com
Lol! Thanks, Fatima!
Seriously I’m trying them right now, funny thing is that I have all the ingredients and I didn’t know what I would eat later. I bet this fates delicious.
It is scrumptious! If you like asparagus you can try that in it instead of beans, too.
Yum!! Tomatoes make everything better. Looks like a great recipe and not having to mess up a ton of dishes… Sold!
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
Yes! Nothing better than a quick clean up.
Oh, my yum! I love the idea of a one pot pasta meal and yours looks so fresh and tasty! Makes me want to dive right in. I’m saving your recipe so I can try it ASAP. It looks amazing!
Thanks, Alli! It is super easy to make.