This 20-Minute Skillet Pasta with Tomatoes, Spinach and Beans is a healthy dinner option with pasta. Simple, flavorful and wholesome skillet pasta is perfect for busy weekdays.
20-MINUTE SKILLET PASTA
This dish makes me happy just to look at! It's fresh, full of flavor and made in 20 minutes! I love quick and easy recipes! This is definitely one of them and currently my favorite vegetarian pasta dish. I love easy pasta because I can whip up a from-scratch dinner in no time and I know everyone will love it. Perfect for busy weeknights! All you need to do is cook the pasta, sauté veggies, add a little half and half for the sauce and stir it all together. Serve garnished with cheese and crushed red pepper flakes and dinner is ready!
Ingredients Needed:
- penne pasta
- olive oil
- garlic
- cherry tomatoes
- spinach
- beans
- half and half
- cornstarch
- Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper
- Parmesan cheese
How to make this dish:
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Cook pasta according to instructions on the box.
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In a measuring cup, mix together half and half, cornstarch and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
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In a large saucepan, sauté garlic in olive oil for 2 minutes.
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Add tomatoes and spinach and sauté, stirring often.
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Add beans, salt, pepper and half and half mixture. Stir well. Cook for 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens up.
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Add cooked pasta and stir in gently.
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Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
What other veggies can I use?
You can completely customize this dish. Use artichoke hearts, broccoli, green beans, diced tomatoes, corn, peas, kale, etc.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Simply cook the dish, cool and store in a fridge in a container with lid, for up to 4 days.
More Pasta Recipes:
For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Pasta Category.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
20-Minute Skillet Pasta
Ingredients
- 6 oz penne pasta about ½ box
- 2 cloves of garlic grated or minced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 9 oz sweet cherry tomatoes all cut in half
- 15 oz can Great Northern Beans drained and rinsed well,
- 2.5 cups fresh spinach torn if desired
- ¾ cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Parmesan cheese optional garnish
- Crushed red pepper flakes optional garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to instructions on the box. Rinse with warm water, set aside and keep warm.
- In a measuring cup, mix together half and half, cornstarch and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat up olive oil. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and spinach and sauté, stirring often, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add beans, salt, pepper and half and half mixture. Stir well. Cook for 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens up.
- Add cooked pasta and stir in gently. Remove from heat.
- Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
Notes
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
- You can use any bite-size pasta for this dish.
sheri says
I really loved it and my husband…not a bean guy or into cooked tomatoes said he would eat it again. that’s huge for a guy from the 40’s
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Anna says
That's wonderful! I am so glad you both enjoyed it! Thank you, Sheri!
Crissy says
Delicious pasta! I didn't use gluten free but I have tried it, pretty good. I used 1 cup of half and half, great vegetarian recipe!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you so much, Crissy! I am so glad you like it!
Bethany Fones says
One ounce of beans? Is that a misprint?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Bethany! It is a misprint. It should say 15 oz. can. So sorry!
Jerry Marquardt says
I like to have all of my Italian dishes served with Penne Mostaccioli What a difference!
Betty C says
I use rotini frequently so that is the one I'm most interested in trying.
Annette says
I'm excited to try Rotini.
Thomas Murphy says
I want to try the Rotini
Margot C says
I already buy the Ronzoni Gluten Free Penne; does that count! We adore it and always buy that brand (true story!)
Stephanie Phelps says
I am excited to try the Elbows, Penne, because I love macaroni salad so much!
Ellie Wright says
I'd like to use the Penne noodles in a delicious Italian pasta salad.
Linda Fenwick says
I am most excited to try the penne. My family eats a lot of ziti and this type of pasta would work great for that.
angie says
I am most excited to try the spaghetti. I also hope they come out with lasagna and fettuccine versions of this pasta. 😀
Denise L says
I'd love to try your recipe exactly as you made it. I love basil!
Shawn Gallagher says
Haven't tries their elbows yet, that sounds good
Faith J. says
rotini sounds good yes I'd love to try the rotini!!
Deb Ford says
I want to try the Garden Delight Penne
Tamara says
I think I'd like to try their Penne noodles. Your recipe looks good!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Penne is my favorite! Thank you, Tamara!
Margot C says
We transitioned easily to Gluten-free pasta over a year or so ago. The Ronzoni Gluten Free Pasta cooks up the same as the regular kind, tastes lovely. Penne is the shape that everyone favors in my house and I have a huge glass jar full of them
BusyWorkingMama says
I love orzo with artichokes, tune, capers and parsley.
Anne says
Rotini is one of my favorite pasta shapes, so that's the one I'd be most excited about. I like it in casseroles like mac&cheese, because it holds the sauce really well.
Linda says
I want to try the Penne, so many dishes I could make with that.
Cynthia C says
I want to try the penne first. I use it in a lot of my cooking.
Anastasia says
I wan to try them all!! but I'd love to start with spaghetti because it's definitely my favorite 🙂
Jennai says
I would like to try the Penne Rigati first
kjasus says
i would like to try the spaghetti for my chicken parm. recipe
Susan Smith says
I’m excited to try the thin spaghetti!
Erin poulter says
I'd like to try the thin spaghetti.
CR Williams says
The penne is my fave.
Barbara M says
I would like to try the thin spaghetti with white beans and spinach.
thank you
katherine says
I would try the spaghetti
Robin says
I would like to try the elbows.
Jeffrey says
I'm most excited to try the Penne mixed with the vegetables from my garden...Zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, peppers, spinach and basil.
Stefanie G says
I'm excited to try the thin spaghetti! I love any spaghetti!
Carol G says
I would like to try the Penne.
Chris says
Penne is my favorite shape - I'd try that first!
Tamra H says
I would like to try their thin spaghetti!
kesha says
I am excited about the spaghetti!!!
Karen O says
I think the Penne Rigate looks great. I make a pasta using meat sauce and ricotta/ mozzarella cheeses that my family loves. This sounds wonderful.
Dana Ferguson says
I would want to try the thin spaghetti.
Lisa Brown says
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/749207676383404033
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Lisa Brown says
I want to try the gluten free elbow pasta.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Kathleen says
I'd love to try the elbows and make a healthier version of the classic mac and cheese!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
My kids love mac and cheese so I totally had to try it with Ronzoni elbows! So good! Thanks, Kathleen!
Cheryl B says
I love their spagetti, but hope to try their rotini soon.
CR Williams says
The Penne Rigate look pretty good!
OFG says
I'd love to try thin spaghetti!
Elle says
I want to try the thin spaghetti.
Erika says
We eat a lot of penne around here. 🙂
Margaret Smith says
I'd love to try the Thin spaghetti Gluten free. Your recipe sounds great.
Thanks so much.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Margaret!
natasha Lamoreux says
I am excited to try the Penne pasta, my favorite.
Cindy says
I am excited to try their thin sphaghetti.
Madeline says
I'd like to try their gluten free Thin Spaghetti with homemade pasta sauce.
Kristen says
I'd like to try the Elbow in the Zesty Bacon Macaroni Salad recipe from their site.
Rachel says
I would like to try the rotini pasta.
Kim Beaulieu says
This is fabulous, I love pasta and never pass up an opportunity to nosh on it. This is seriously gorgeous. I could eat mountains of this.
Natalie says
I am really excited to try the gluten free elbow pasta! I want to make mac and cheese!
heather says
I am excited to try their thin spaghetti that sounds super yummy.
Angie says
Dinner in 20 minutes sounds like the perfect recipe to me! Plus those photos are beautiful!
Kelly D says
I would like to try the gluten free spaghetti.
Kimberly says
This looks awesome! Our family isn't GF but we do try to limit our gluten intake so we regularly supplement with GF products. I haven't tried Ronzoni's GF pasta before, I'll have to check it out!
Des says
Oh what a wonderful weeknight meal!
Erin says
Absolutely love a quick and easy dinner! This looks amazing!
Heidi says
Penne is definitely one of my favorites! And I can totally see how this would become a weeknight staple, it would make a great side too.
Trish says
I would love to try this penne pasta! That happens to be our favorite 🙂 Love quick and easy dinner ideas like this one 🙂
Vicki Bensinger says
So simple and healthy. Perfect one dish meal for the summer!
Will G says
I would like to try Ronzoni Gluten Free® Penne.
carrian cheney says
Love this beautiful pasta. We aren't gluten free but because so many friends are we are always making gluten free recipes. Can't wait to try this!
Elena says
I want to try the rotini pasta
Jessica To says
I want to try the penne pasta.
Kacey says
This is awesome!! I always tease my mother-in-law (who has to eat gluten-free) that I'll bring a box of my own pasta over so I don't have to indulge in hers. But this one looks soooo tasty that I probably won't even realize it is gluten-free!
Aimee says
LOVE quick and easy weeknight dinner ideas. I'll be keeping my eye out for this GF pasta!
Matt says
So perfect for the entire family, excited to make this for my boys
sue says
I can't wait to try this, I'm always looking for pasta alternatives because my daughter eats gluten free, and we love a great pasta dinner in our family! Now we can all enjoy it together 🙂
Julie Wood says
I want to try the new Rotini pasta! Great to know that it is gluten free!
Mami2jcn says
I'm excited to try the rotini.
Sues says
What a beautiful dish! I don't eat gluten-free, but always try to eat whole grain non-white pasta (unless it's homemade!), so this sounds perfect!