Easy Weeknight Pasta

I stumbled upon this way to make easy pasta sauce many years ago and usually make it for a quick side dish with chicken breasts or a vegetarian option. The sauce takes less time than cooking the pasta. If fresh pasta is available, that's even faster. Either way, it comes together in minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

To start, get your water boiling for the pasta. Once the noodles are in the water, you can start the sauce. (Note: if using fresh pasta, make the sauce first)

How to make the easy pasta sauce

To make the sauce, simply heat up a can of diced tomatoes. Roughly chop some fresh spinach, at least one cup, but you can add more. Once the tomatoes are hot, add the spinach to the saucepan and give it a stir.

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It will only take about a minute for the spinach to wilt. At that point, add some fresh pesto and stir.

Remove saucepan from heat and add in a little sour cream.

Stir well.

When the pasta is done, drain and return to the pan or in a bowl.

Pour the sauce over the pasta and stir to coat.

The spinach adds a vitamin boost (specifically Vitamins A, K1, C, e and Folic Acid source: Healthfully.com) to what is otherwise just a tomato sauce. The pesto gives it some zip, and the sour cream gives it some structure, helping the sauce stick to noodles. I also advise adding the sauce as soon as the noodles have drained. Hot noodles will absorb some sauce, which increases the flavor and enjoyment of this very easy pasta dish.

This is an easy solution to last-minute meals. Especially if you forgot to buy your favorite sauce or you want a sauce that is lighter with fewer hidden additives.

Or maybe you just need a little something to go with that glass of wine you already poured.

This recipe serves 2 as a vegetarian side dish but is easily doubled for hungry people. 😀

📖 Recipe

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Easy Pasta Sauce

An easy vegetarian sauce that comes together in minutes

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 2

Calories: 330kcal

Author: Sula

Ingredients

• 1 can diced tomatoes undrained
• 1 cup fresh spinach roughly chopped
• 2 TB pesto
• 2 TB sour cream
• 4 oz pasta spaghetti or angel hair
• Parmesan cheese to taste

Instructions

• In a small saucepan, heat the diced tomatoes until almost boiling. Add the spinach and stir until just wilted.
• Add pesto and stir. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Add sauce to cooked pasta and mix to coat thoroughly.
• Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 459mg | Potassium: 596mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2024IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

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If you like this sauce, you might also enjoy my Vegetarian Pasta Sauce or Green Pasta Sauce. Another easy pasta meal idea is chicken with creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. And for "no pasta" options, try Butternut Squash Spaghetti Bake or Zucchini and Ground Beef Casserole.