Ziti with Tomatoes, White Beans and Spinach

Some of my favorite pasta dinners are the simplest ones, and this Ziti with Tomatoes, White Beans and Spinach is a good example.

I found the recipe in Hit the Spot: 140 Savory, Crispy, Spicy & Sweet Recipes You’ll Love by WeightWatchers. It combines pasta with white beans, fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes in a light garlicky broth, with just enough Parmesan to finish it off.

I especially like the addition of the white beans. They make the pasta more substantial without needing meat or a heavy sauce, while the tomatoes and spinach keep everything fresh and colorful.

It’s an easy dinner made mostly from ingredients I tend to have around, and the whole thing comes together while the pasta cooks.

Serve it on its own for a simple meatless dinner or pair with a crisp green salad—like this favorite shredded romaine and dill—for an easy, balanced meal.

Why You’ll Love This Pasta

• Simple and satisfying – Pasta and white beans make a hearty combination without a heavy sauce.
• Lots of vegetables – Spinach and cherry tomatoes add color and freshness.
• Quick to make – Prepare the sauce while the pasta cooks.
• Easy to adapt – Add mushrooms, change the pasta shape or give it some heat with crushed red pepper.
• Great for a meatless dinner – Use vegetable broth (affiliate link) to keep it vegetarian.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ziti – Ziti is perfect for catching the beans, tomatoes and bits of spinach, but penne, rigatoni or another short tube-shaped pasta will work just as well.

Olive oil – A small amount is all you need to sauté the garlic and start the sauce.

Garlic – Garlic provides much of the flavor in this very simple pasta, so I wouldn’t leave it out.

Baby spinach – It wilts quickly into the sauce. Regular spinach will work too; just give it a rough chop first.

Small white beans – Drain and rinse canned beans before adding them. Cannellini or Great Northern beans would also work.

Cherry tomatoes – Add color, sweetness and freshness. Grape tomatoes are a good substitute.

Reduced-sodium broth – The broth creates a light sauce that brings everything together. Use vegetable broth (affiliate link) for a vegetarian pasta or chicken broth if that’s what you have.

Salt and black pepper – Season to taste. Go easy on the salt until you’ve added the Parmesan.

Parmesan cheese – You only need a light sprinkle to add a savory, salty finish.

Crushed red pepper flakes – Optional, but I like a little sprinkled over my pasta for some heat.

How to Make Ziti with Tomatoes, White Beans and Spinach

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Cook the ziti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and keep warm.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic and Spinach

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet (affiliate link) over medium heat.

Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute.

Add the spinach and continue stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Beans and Tomatoes

Add the white beans, cherry tomatoes, broth, salt and pepper.

Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and the broth reduces slightly, about 3 minutes.

Step 4: Toss with the Pasta

Add the drained ziti to the skillet and gently toss everything together.

Cook until the pasta is heated through and has absorbed some of the flavorful broth, about 1 minute.

Step 5: Finish with Parmesan

Divide among serving bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Add crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

Recipe Notes

I like this recipe just as it is, but it’s also an easy one to play around with.

For more vegetables, add about 2 cups sliced cremini or baby bella mushrooms to the skillet. Give them a few minutes to cook before adding the spinach.

If you like things spicy, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes along with the garlic or sprinkle them over individual servings.

The beans are what make this simple pasta especially satisfying. Cannellini, Great Northern or other small white beans can all be used, so there’s no need to buy a particular variety if you already have some in the pantry.

If the pasta seems a little dry after everything is tossed together, add another splash of broth.

How Many Calories and WW Points?

According to my calculations, each generous 1-1/4 cups serving has about 374 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in theWW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

If you’ve made this simple vegetarian pasta with spinach, tomatoes and white beans, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Source: Hit the Spot: 140 Savory, Crispy, Spicy & Sweet Recipes You’ll Love by WeightWatchers

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