This creamy roasted garlic and tomato pasta is an "almost" one pan dish that is sure to delight. It tastes high class but it's made with affordable ingredients and with just a few steps. The perfect dinner does exist.
In a 9x13 baking dish or large baking sheet (lined with foil or well greased) mix together the cherry tomatoes, garlic cloves, onion, and half of the olive oil.
Toss together until well coated and then push them off to the side of the pan to allow space in the middle.
In the middle of the pan place your brick of cream cheese (unwrapped). Lay a chicken breast on each side (if using).
Coat the top of the breasts and cream cheese with the remaining olive oil and seasonings.
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes and check internal temp of the chicken. If the chicken has reached 165 degrees F then remove and place on a plate and cover with foil. Return pan to oven.
Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes or until the cream cheese looks cracked and falling apart.
While the pan is roasting in the oven cook your noodles according to package instructions. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining. Return pasta to the pot.
Remove pan from oven and use the back of a spoon to press down on the tomatoes.
Bring the loose roasted garlic cloves, tomatoes, and onions to the cream cheese in the center of the pan and mix them well with your spoon. Add to the pot of drained cooked pasta.
Stir in the cut spinach leaves and reserved pasta water, a little at a time until the pasta no longer looks dry.
Taste. Add salt and pepper as needed.
Serve warm with sliced cooked chicken.
Notes
Recipe Tips:
Line the baking sheet with foil for easier cleanup. If not, soak the pan before cleaning.
No need for a mixing bowl; all ingredients are combined in the pan for simplicity.
When cooking chicken on the sheet, remember it'll finish early; set it aside covered with foil to keep it moist.
When scraping the pan for the sauce, don't remove burnt bits. Just collect what's easily movable, blend with the cream cheese, and add to your drained noodles.