Easy
45 min·6 servings
Hearty Minestrone Soup
A vegetable-packed Italian classic brimming with beans, pasta, and fresh herbs.
soupvegetarianbudget-friendly
pastaquick-dinnervegetarianlunch
Gluten-Free Pasta & Tomato Sauce
Time:25 min
Difficulty:Easy
Servings:2 servings
This simple, vibrant pasta dish proves that quality ingredients and proper technique can elevate even the most basic meal. Using gluten-free pasta with a homemade tomato sauce and fresh wilted spinach creates something restaurant-quality in under 20 minutes. The secret is saving the pasta water to create a silky sauce.
Instructions
- 1
Cook pasta per package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
- 2
Fry garlic in olive oil 1 minute. Add tomatoes and paste. Simmer 15 minutes.
- 3
Stir in spinach until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- 4
Toss pasta in sauce, loosening with pasta water as needed.
- 5
Serve with grated Parmesan.
💡 Tips for Success
- →Pasta water makes the sauce silky — do not skip saving it.
- →Fresh basil stirred in at the end adds brightness.
- →Use San Marzano tomatoes if possible — they're sweeter.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- →Overcooking pasta — cook it 1 minute under the package time.
- →Not saving pasta water — it's crucial for sauce consistency.
- →Adding salt before tasting — adjust at the end.
🔄 Substitutions
- →Fresh spinach → kale, arugula, or omit
- →Canned tomatoes → fresh tomatoes (3-4 large)
- →Oregano → basil or thyme
