Spicy Cream Cheese Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach

Ingredients

- 8 oz pasta of your choice
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp chili crisp
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt (plus more for pasta water)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta
- PT10M
10 minutes
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

2. Create the Spicy Sauce
- PT5M
5 minutes
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the chili crisp and allow it to heat for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the tomato paste, stirring well to combine.

3. Cook the Vegetables
- PT7M
7 minutes
Increase heat to medium-high, and add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and burst. Add the spinach and frozen peas, stirring until the spinach is wilted.

4. Finish the Sauce
- PT5M
5 minutes
Lower the heat to medium and add the cream cheese. Stir until melted and smooth, then add lemon juice, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix in the reserved pasta water to achieve a creamy consistency.

5. Combine and Serve
- PT3M
3 minutes
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Sprinkle in the fresh basil and give it a final stir. Transfer to serving plates and enjoy your dinner.

Total Time

PT30M
30 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

pasta recipe, cream cheese pasta, spicy pasta, cherry tomato recipe, spinach pasta, easy dinner, vegetarian meal, stove-top pasta, quick dinner recipes, basil pasta

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 1,200

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