Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. penne pasta

1 yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 15 oz. can petite diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1 pinch crushed red pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

2 tbsp. tomato paste

2 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup grated parmesan

4 oz. fresh spinach

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Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain pasta.

2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the creamy tomato sauce. Add the onion, garlic, and olive oil to a large skillet and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (3-5 minutes).

3. Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), oregano, basil, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine. Add the tomato paste and a 1/2 cup of water to the skillet and stir until the tomato paste has mixed into the sauce.

4. Turn the heat down to low. Cut the cream cheese into a few pieces and add to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Use a whisk to stir the sauce until the cream cheese has fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Add the parmesan and stir until it is melted into the sauce.

5. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and gently stir into the sauce until it has wilted (2-3 minutes). Add the pasta and stir until it is well coated in the creamy tomato sauce. Serve warm.

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Recipe from: Budget Bytes