Description
A warm, creamy bowl of ditalini pasta with vibrant veggies and bold flavors, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250 g (2 cups) ditalini pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 200 g (about 2 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 100 g (1 cup) fresh spinach
- 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
- 150 g (1½ cups) mixed cheese (mozzarella and Parmesan)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ditalini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for about 3–4 minutes until translucent. Then, stir in minced garlic, sautéing for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the Bell Pepper and Tomatoes: Next, add diced bell pepper and cherry tomatoes to the pot. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to soften and release their juices.
- Stir in Cream and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and pour in heavy cream. Stir well, allowing it to combine with the vegetables. Gradually add mixed cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Pasta and Spinach: Add the cooked ditalini and fresh spinach to the pot. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.
- Serve Up: Remove from heat and serve warm, garnishing with additional cheese or fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk. To keep the sauce creamy, ensure heat is low when adding cream and cheese. This dish can easily be made ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 100mg