Enjoy a delightful pasta creation where al dente noodles mingle with a fragrant garlic butter sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes, and vibrant spinach. The dish is elevated with an optional hint of red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, making it a flavorful celebration of everyday ingredients transformed into a memorable meal.

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I love making this garlic butter pasta because its quick, nutritious and packed with flavor. I start with 8 oz of my favorite pasta, cook it until its just right and toss it with 4 tbsp unsalted butter that creates a rich base.

I add in 4 minced garlic cloves which not only bring a burst of aroma but also have antioxidants, then stir in 1 pint of cherry tomatoes halved that offer a good dose of vitamins and fiber. The dish really comes alive when I mix in 3 cups fresh spinach which provides iron and vitamin K.

I season it all with salt, freshly ground black pepper and if im feeling adventurous, a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Sometimes I top it off with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for an extra hit of flavor.

This simple recipe proves that everyday ingredients make for a nutritious and satisfying meal.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really like this recipe because it’s super easy to make even if I’m not a cooking expert. I can follow each step and it almost feels like a cheat code for a yummy meal.
2. I love how the garlic butter, cherry tomatoes, and spinach all come together so well. They mix perfectly to give the dish a fresh and rich flavor that I just can’t get enough of.
3. I dig that the recipe lets me play around a bit with spices. If I’m feeling adventurous I add red pepper flakes for a kick or toss in Parmesan for that extra cheesy touch.
4. I appreciate that it’s made with everyday ingredients which makes it budget friendly and healthy but still full of taste, making it a go-to meal for most nights.

Ingredients

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Pasta provides carbohydrates for energy and offers a soft base that holds all the flavors together.
Unsalted butter adds a rich taste and silky texture while bringing healthy fats into the dish.
Garlic boosts the taste with a zesty punch and offers natural compounds that help wellbeing.
Cherry tomatoes bring juicy sweetness and tang and are loaded with vitamins and color.
Fresh spinach gives a boost of iron and fiber, keeping things vibrant and nutritious.
Parmesan cheese sprinkles a salty, savory finish and adds a bit of protein to the mix.

Ingredient Quantities

8 oz pasta (spaghetti or any kind you like)

4 tbsp unsalted butter

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

3 cups fresh spinach

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional if you want a little kick)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but super tasty)

How to Make this

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1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente then drain.

2. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a big pan over medium heat.

3. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté it for about 1-2 minutes until it smells really good.

4. Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and let them cook for around 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. If you’re up for a bit of spice, stir in the red pepper flakes now.

6. Add the fresh spinach into the pan and cook it until it wilts, which should take only 1-2 minutes.

7. Once the spinach has wilted, add your drained pasta into the pan and mix well so all the flavors combine.

8. Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

9. Stir everything together and let it sit on low heat for another minute so the flavors can meld.

10. If desired, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving and enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot for boiling and cooking the pasta
2. Colander for draining the cooked pasta
3. Big pan for melting the butter and combining the ingredients
4. Wooden spoon for stirring the garlic, tomatoes, and spinach
5. Knife and cutting board for mincing the garlic and halving the cherry tomatoes
6. Measuring spoons to precisely add butter, red pepper flakes, and seasonings
7. Cheese grater if you’re planning on adding grated Parmesan cheese over the dish

FAQ

Question: Can I use a different type of pasta?

Answer: Sure thing, any kind of pasta like penne or fusilli will work great in this recipe.

Question: How do I prevent the spinach from overcooking?

Answer: The spinach cooks pretty fast so add it on near the end to keep its bright color and texture.

Question: Can I make this recipe a bit spicy?

Answer: Yup, if you like a little heat just add the red pepper flakes as the recipe suggests.

Question: What if I dont have Parmesan cheese?

Answer: No worries, you can skip it or use another grated cheese you have on hand.

Question: Can I make this dish vegan?

Answer: You can easily turn it vegan by using dairy free butter and leaving out the Parmesan cheese.

Garlic Butter Pasta With Spinach And Tomatoes Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you don’t have 8 oz of pasta handy, you could try using linguine or fettuccine. They work just as good and give the dish a fun twist.
Out of unsalted butter? No worries, you can use olive oil or even coconut oil instead. It might alter the taste a bit but it’s still delish.
If you don’t want to mince garlic or simply dont have fresh cloves, you could use garlic powder instead. I’d use about 1/2 tsp to start and add more if you tase it.
If you cant find cherry tomatoes, try halved grape tomatoes or even some diced regular tomatoes. They work just as best in the recipe.
Don’t have fresh spinach? Baby arugula or romaine lettuce can be a good swap, just toss them in at the end so they dont overcook.

Pro Tips

1. When you’re sautéeing the garlic in the butter, keep an eye on it cuz burned garlic can easily ruin the dish with a bitter taste.
2. If you like a little extra flavor, try a squeeze of lemon juice at the end of cooking. It really helps brighten up the tomatoes and spinach.
3. Don’t forget to reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. It can be added later to adjust the consistency of your sauce and make sure the pasta is coated well.
4. Toast the red pepper flakes in the butter before adding garlic. This tiny step brings out a richer, more intense spice flavor that enhances the whole dish.

Garlic Butter Pasta With Spinach And Tomatoes Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

500

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large pot for boiling and cooking the pasta
2. Colander for draining the cooked pasta
3. Big pan for melting the butter and combining the ingredients
4. Wooden spoon for stirring the garlic, tomatoes, and spinach
5. Knife and cutting board for mincing the garlic and halving the cherry tomatoes
6. Measuring spoons to precisely add butter, red pepper flakes, and seasonings
7. Cheese grater if you’re planning on adding grated Parmesan cheese over the dish

Ingredients

8 oz pasta (spaghetti or any kind you like)
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cups fresh spinach
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional if you want a little kick)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but super tasty)

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente then drain.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a big pan over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté it for about 1-2 minutes until it smells really good.
Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and let them cook for around 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If you're up for a bit of spice, stir in the red pepper flakes now.
Add the fresh spinach into the pan and cook it until it wilts, which should take only 1-2 minutes.
Once the spinach has wilted, add your drained pasta into the pan and mix well so all the flavors combine.
Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Stir everything together and let it sit on low heat for another minute so the flavors can meld.
If desired, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving and enjoy your meal!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.