This One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta is an easy weeknight meal. Pasta, veggies, and beans, cooked until tender and mixed with cream cheese for a saucy, creamy dinner.
I love jazzing up pasta by cooking it in alternate ingredients - i.e. not water. Using vegetable broth or other liquids adds a depth of flavor. And, in the case of this pasta, the juice from the tomatoes just creates this beautiful flavor, even if you don't like tomatoes (like me!)
This dish has been my go-to for an easy weeknight meal for a while now. It cooks in one pot, relies mostly on pantry staples, and is just good!
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Why You'll Love This One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
- One Pot Meal - minimal dishes makes for easy cleanup
- Creamy & Comforting - this pasta is ultra creamy!
- Protein Packed - Chickpeas add plant-based protein
- Quick Weeknight Dinner - Ready in about 30 minutes
- Dietary needs - this dish is vegan and oil-free, it can also be made gluten-free with gf pasta
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Onion: I used yellow onion but red onion also works
- Garlic
- Pasta: I used penne but any shape works - short or long!
- Salt & Pepper
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes: I like fire roasted tomatoes because they give an extra bit of flavor, but feel free to use regular tomatoes
- Vegetable Broth: veggie broth helps deepen the flavor, but feel free to sub part or all of the broth with water
- Non-Dairy Cream Cheese: my go-to brand is Kroger's Simple Truth Organic - it's inexpensive and has the best flavor and texture
- Fresh Spinach: you can also use frozen!
- Protein of choice: I used chickpeas, but you can also use tempeh, seitan chicken, or a store-bought vegan protein
Pro Tip: Stir the pasta frequently while it cooks so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often for 3-5 minutes until soft. If the onion starts to stick, add a splash of water or vegetable broth. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
Step 2. Add the pasta, salt, pepper, fire roasted tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and cook for 7-9 minutes (or around 2 minutes less than the pasta package instructions).
Step 3. Turn off the heat and stir in the cream cheese, spinach, and protein, until the spinach is wilted and cream cheese is evenly distributed. Enjoy!
FAQ & Expert Tips
Yes. Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or shells work best because they cook evenly and hold onto the sauce. But I have made this recipe with every shape of pasta imaginable - anything you have will work!
Yes. Feel free to sub in your favorite gluten-free pasta. Cook the pasta for 2-3 minutes less than it says on the package - gf pasta disintegrates very easily.
Any beans will work, or your favorite vegan meat substitute.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this easy and nutritious meal. Allow it to fuel our bodies to do Your work. Amen.
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📖 Recipe
One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta (Meatless, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 Large Yellow Onion thinly sliced
- 6 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Pound Pasta of choice
- 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- 2 15 Ounce Cans Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- 4 Cups Vegetable Broth
- 8 Ounces Non-Dairy Cream Cheese
- 5 Ounces Fresh Spinach
- Protein of choice - chickpeas vegan chicken, etc.
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often for 3-5 minutes until soft. If the onion starts to stick, add a splash of water or vegetable broth. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add the pasta, salt, pepper, fire roasted tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and cook for 7-9 minutes (or around 2 minutes less than the pasta package instructions).
- Turn off the heat and stir in the cream cheese, spinach, and protein, until the spinach is wilted and cream cheese is evenly distributed. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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