This is one of my favorite quick and easy dinner you can make in just one pot and with just 5 minutes of prep time. It’s extra creamy and full of healthy vegetables!
Tips & tricks
- If you want to cut back on the fat and calories, feel free to use half-and-half instead of the heavy cream.
- You can also use 1 pound fresh baby spinach in place of the frozen.
- If you’re not bothered by using 2 pots, feel free to make the sauce in a separate small saucepan while the pasta is cooking.
Serving suggestions
This is a great vegetarian meal by itself, but you can also serve it as a side with some protein.
We enjoy it with my Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken or with my Lemon Baked Cod.
More pasta recipes
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Printable Recipe Card
One Pot Spinach Pea Pasta
One Pot Spinach Pea Pasta: A quick and easy dinner you can make in just one pot and with minimal prep. It’s extra creamy and full of healthy vegetables!
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 12 ounces small pasta shapes such as Orecchiette or shells
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 10 ounces spinach thawed from frozen
- ½ cup peas thawed from frozen
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
- ground nutmeg to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Put the pot back over medium-high heat and add the cream and spinach. Bring to a boil, add the peas and cook until heated. Take off the heat and stir in the cheese. Season to taste before tossing with the pasta.
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Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 390kcal
Nutrition is an estimate.
Lisa says
Very good meal! Made it last night after I finally decided to do something with the recipes I’ve had bookmarked for years. I added minced garlic to the cream as it absorbed into the spinach and it was delicious! As a newly pregnant woman (about 12 weeks, first pregnancy) who is working full time during this pandemic it is important to me to not have to cook for an hour when I finally get home from work. Will definitely be trying out some others on here! Thank you Nora!
Nora Rusev says
Thanks YOU for making it, and for coming back to leave a review, Lisa! I appreciate it.
Susan says
This is tasty but fattening. I like your tips, Nora, for making it less fattening from Oct 24, 2015 below. Also, I just defrosted some and it had lost it’s luster. I added milk (wished I had some heavy cream!), but it didn’t fix it. So, I will halve the recipe next time. Thank you, Nora for a unique Instant Pot idea 😊.
Tom says
How much nut meg? I’m not a real cookand just need a little idea
Nora says
Just a pinch will be fine!
Gene says
Does the spinach need to be squeezed dry ?
Nora says
I usually defrost spinach straight in a colander so the extra liquid can drain off. If you feel your spinach is very wet and soggy after defrosting, I would recommend squeezing it. You could also add a little oil to the pot and sauté the spinach before adding the cream, so some of the extra liquid can cook off. Hope that helps!
susan autrey says
Not a fan of peas.Do you think mushrooms would work well?
Nora says
Hi Susan. Yes, I think mushrooms would taste very nice instead of the peas!
Matt says
I made this tonight. It was delicious! I used fresh English peas instead of frozen and it came out great.
Nora says
What a great idea with the fresh peas, Matt! Glad it turned out well for you, and thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Titania says
I love the look of this! I think I’m going to try it with orzo because I already have some in my pantry. This is a very happy mix of healthy and comfort food – right up my alley in a cold Canadian winter!
Nora says
That sounds like a great idea, Titania! Hope you liked the recipe 🙂
Sandrea says
Hi, I was wondering what I can substitute the heavy cream for to make it healthier? Will anything work or does it have to be heavy cream? Thanks! :]
Nora says
Hi Sandrea, what a good idea to make this healthier! You can try using low-fat milk and just boiling it for a few minutes until it’s reduced and slightly thickened. OR you can use low-fat milk and stir in a few tablespoons low-fat sour cream, cream cheese or ricotta to thicken it. Hope you’ll like it!
sarah says
I’m making this tonight! It looks so yummy and simple! I couldn’t find that pasta in my local store so I’m just using little shells…I’m sure it’ll still turn out ok! I’m excited…1 pot meals are a staple in a home where we both work 2 jobs!!
Nora says
Oh I hope you’ll like it Sarah! One pot meals are definitely the best dinner option when life gets busy. I’m sure little shells will work just as fine.
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I’m so impressed you post things that fast! My photos seem to sit on my computer long past leftovers are gone. I need to get more motivated!! 🙂 Your pasta looks yummy! I love easy meals I don’t have to slave over when I get home from work!
Nora says
Trust me, I don’t always get things posted so fast. Actually, I’d love to be a bit more organized and in advance 😉 Thank you Jess!
Stephanie at "Table for One" says
This looks delicious, and only one pot? I think I’m sold! Can’t wait to try it out.
Nora says
Thank you Stephanie, hope you will like it 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
LOVE one pot meals.. they are always so easy, delicious and are perfect for weeknight meals. Craving a bowl of your spinach and pea pasta Nora, good thing I have all the ingredients on hand!
Nora says
Thank you Thalia! Hope you satisfied your craving 🙂
ami@naivecookcooks says
This pasta looks seriously delicious!!
Nora says
Thank you Ami!
Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze says
I love one pot pastas. By the time I get home from picking up the kids and doing after school actives, I am drained. This pasta looks like the perfect weeknight meal. Thanks Nora! Ps I love the look of those pasta shells too. Wonder if I could find them in my lil town. PS I agree with Ashley, your pictures are gorgeous! Pinned. 🙂
Nora says
Oh I bet having kids with after school activities and homework don’t leave much time for cooking! Thank you so much Cyndi!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
This looks totally amazing — your pictures are stunning! I’m stocking up on one-pot recipes for when my next little one comes around, and I’m definitely going to have to pin this one 🙂
Nora says
Thanks Ashley! Oh you don’t have long to go now, do you?! I’m admiring all moms with more than one kid – I can barely manage to throw things into one pot with my baby girl 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Thank you for a 1 pot recipe Nora! Because last night I went nuts and cooked a dinner than required 3 pans and 1 baking sheet. Clean up was awful. But a 1 pot meal I can handle. This looks so good! And I love that you used Orecchiette. When I was little, I called them “pasta bowls” because they looked like little bowls.
Nora says
Ha, I know those kinds of meals! My mom used to cook with a gazillion pans and leave us kids to clean up afterwards – so now I love 1 pot meals even more 😀 What a cute story with the Orecchiette! They really look like tiny bowls!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This pasta looks amazing, Nora! I’m such a huge fan of one pot meals, and this one looks fantastic. I love the combination of spinach and peas!
Nora says
Thank you Gayle! Yes, spinach and peas are so good together – and I only just discovered this recently, shame on me 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Yum!!!! This looks amazing! I think I want to be a clean a bit every day type, but I usually end up putting it off. I have a friend coming to stay for the weekend later today and beginning of this week I was like – i’ll do a little cleaning every day, it’ll totally be manageable. Of course I left it all until today!
Nora says
Thank you Liz! Oh dear, that happens to me all the time! And then I find myself having to clean and tidy so much I don’t even know where to start! Have a good cleaning day 🙂
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
This looks like a great weekday meal! I mean, if you can make it with a baby on your arm, I can surely make it on a Tuesday 🙂
Nora says
Thank you Sarah! Haha, yes, maybe even hold a bag of sand in one arm just for fun 😉