Description
Creamy Pasta Pomodoro is a delicious twist on a classic pasta dish, combining a rich and flavorful marinara sauce with a creamy cashew-based sauce. This dish is packed with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and greens, creating a vibrant and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Basic Marinara:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons finely minced shallot
- 1 large garlic clove, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 14–ounce can chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon cane sugar
- Pinch of dried oregano
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Creamy Tomato Sauce:
- Marinara recipe, from above
- 1/4 cup raw cashews*
- 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
For the Pasta:
- 10 ounces rigatoni
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into thin half moons
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 14–ounce cans Mutti Cherry Tomatoes, drained
- 6 cups spinach or mix of spinach & arugula
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley or sliced basil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make the marinara sauce: Heat olive oil in a small pot over low heat. Add shallot, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, cane sugar, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer covered for 20 minutes.
- Make the creamy sauce: Blend marinara, cashews, tomato paste, salt, and ¼ cup water until smooth. Set aside. Before serving, stir in ¼ cup hot pasta water.
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente.
- Cook the vegetables: Saute zucchini and thyme in olive oil. Add tomatoes, spinach, salt, and pepper. Cook until heated through.
- Assemble: Toss pasta with creamy sauce. Add vegetables, parsley, and basil. Season to taste and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg