This Creamy Vegan Tomato Basil Pasta with spinach will be your new go-to healthy 6-ingredient recipe on the table in 20 minutes! Dairy-free and gluten-free option. This post is sponsored by ALDI.
It’s the New Year and we’re eating pasta.
Would you expect anything else?! In 2019 I resolve to eat all the EASY THANGS.
‘Tis the year of un-complicating things. Recipes included! That’s right, we’re working smarter not harder this year. The request I get most often from readers is healthy recipes that are a) easy and b) FAST. The funny thing is, I actually love to cook. The process, the smells, it’s all fun and exciting for me. But I know that while cooking is a hobby of mine, it’s more of a necessity for others. While I believe I was put on this planet to help people foster a happy and healthy relationship with food, I know that the innate desire to cook differs from person to person. So I’m always doing the balancing act of integrating what I love into what I know my readers want. Not as easy as it sounds!
Eating super yummy food that pleases the belly and soul doesn’t have to require a bunch of ingredients and doesn’t have to be expensive. You guys know I’m the bargain queen! That’s why I’m so excited to be partnering with ALDI on a series of wholesome recipes this year that celebrate quality ingredients at a price we can all smile about. Today’s plant-powered Creamy Vegan Tomato Basil Pasta requires six simple ingredients and is packed not only with the most fab flavor, but also veggies to boot!
If you’ve been following me for a while, you may recognize that this recipe is a spin-off of my Spaghetti Squash with Vegan Tomato Basil Cream Sauce from 2015. Quite a popular one! This is one of those hearty and healthy meals that the whole family will be heart eyes for. Hooray for eating your veggies!
Now let’s talk sauce. All you do for the yummiest, creamiest, tangiest tomato basil cream sauce is blend the new ALDI Earth Grown Vegan Cream Cheese, a can of fire roasted tomatoes (don’t drain!), a pinch of salt, water, and fresh basil. Combine that velvety smooth greatness with Simply Nature 100% Whole Grain Penne and bada boom–dinner for 4 is on the table in under thirty minutes! Now that’s what I’m talking about. Pssst: if you follow a gluten-free diet, you can totally use LiveGFree organic brown rice quinoa penne. To find an ALDI store near you, click here.
Cheers to a new year that’s not laced with unrealistic expectations but rather more meaningful intention into personalized baby steps that’ll make you feel happy and healthy long term. We begin with pasta!!
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This Creamy Vegan Tomato Basil Pasta with spinach will be your new go-to healthy 6-ingredient recipe on the table in 20 minutes! Dairy-free and gluten-free option.
Ingredients
- 16oz box Simply Nature Whole Wheat Penne (sub LiveGFree Organic Brown Rice Quinoa Penne for gluten-free)
- 14.5oz can fire roasted tomatoes (do not drain)
- 1/2 cup Earth Grown Vegan Cream Cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, packed (plus more for garnish)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 3 cups spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, blend sauce ingredients in a blender.
- Place spinach in a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium low heat and sauté for a couple minute or until wilted. Add drained pasta and sauce and stir until heated through.
Cold weather calls for a good, hearty bowl of pasta! Yum! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Matt and I love Aldi! I cannot wait to make this for us! While I bummed I haven’t been able to eat lovely whole wheat pasta in several years, I am grateful that Aldi has some deeelicious GF pastas for Matt. Have you tried their organic edamame pasta or black soybean? They are phenomenal!
This looks DELISH! And I love Aldi as well…. but, does yours have fresh basil?! Or did you have to make a trip elsewhere?!
I printed this out & planning on making for a Sat. morning luncheon with my friends. Would this work with zoodles for a lower cal/ carb alternative? I love me some skinny pasta recipes!! Do you have any lightened up baked goods you would recommend to pair with this lovely rrcipe? Giving y’all 5 stars for goregeous photography, witty writing and a great recipe.
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Hi! You can use zucchini noodles instead of pasta if you’d like. My banana bread recipe is my favorite dessert. I’m a big believer in treats with wholesome, feel good ingredients versus lighter 🙂 enjoy!
SO pumped for this! ALDI is my jam! However, my Aldi doesn’t always carry the cream cheese! The worker said they only have it once in awhile “on special”. So what other brands would you recommend? I also shop at Lucky’s and Whole Foods.
Literally any cream cheese, dairy or non dairy, will be totally fine. Enjoy!
Made this recipe tonight and it was delicious! Loved the sauce so much, that I made another batch for this weekend!
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Yayy thanks so much, Jessica!
I made this dish tonight. The sauce is so easy and delicious. I’m a new reader of the blog, and I can’t wait to try more recipes!
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Ohhh, this pasta looks so amazingly delicious. I am definitely trying this at my home today for my wife when she returns from work. Let’s just hope I make it right. haha
I made this over the weekend, so easy to make and so tasty. I used the daiya vegan cream cheese spread. The best part is that even even though the sauce comes out creamy and delicious it does not feel “heavy” after you eat it. Will definitely be making this dish again. Keep the vegan recipes coming yay!
Made this last night for dinner and it was so good! I was so happy to learn from Alexis’ post that Aldi made a vegan cream cheese. Loved the simplicity of this recipe, will definitely make this again.
Thank you so much for the feedback, Emily!