Tomato and Spinach Pasta

This pasta was an easy and yummy dish to fix.  I saw the recipe over at Budget Bytes, it was also easy to double so that we would have extra for lunches.  Always a win in my book.

1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
freshly cracked pepper to taste
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup water
2 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 lb. penne pasta
1/2 (9 oz.) bag fresh spinach

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta.  Drain the pasta when it's finished cooking.  While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the onion and saute for 4 or 5 minutes then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir then add in the tomato paste and water. Stir until the tomato paste is dissolved into the sauce.  Turn the heat down and add the cream cheese in chunks. Whisk the sauce until the cream cheese has melted. Add in the parmesan cheese and stir.  While stirring, add in the spinach.  Let the sauce cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until the spinach has wilted.  Stir in the pasta and serve.