I’ll admit it … I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day.

I love the romance, the hearts, and the excuse to slow down and make something special at home. Some people call it a Hallmark holiday. That’s not me. I love love. And if there’s ever a reason to light a candle, pour a drink, and cook something comforting for the people you care about, I’m in.

This Marry Me Pasta is exactly that kind of meal.

It’s creamy, cozy, rich without being heavy, and surprisingly easy to make. Romantic enough for a Valentine’s night in, but also practical and nourishing enough for a family dinner or a post-workout recovery meal.

Pasta Is Actually an Incredible Recovery Food

As a dietitian, I want to pause here, because pasta gets wildly misunderstood.

Pasta is an excellent recovery food for athletes and active people. After training, your body needs carbohydrates to replenish muscle glycogen (your stored energy), which helps support muscle recovery, performance, and overall energy levels the next day. Skimping on carbs after hard workouts can actually slow recovery and leave you feeling exhausted.

This dish contains the three macronutrients essential for recovery:

• Carbohydrates from the pasta help refuel muscles
• Protein from white beans, cashews, and parmesan supports muscle repair
• Healthy fats from olive oil and cashews help with satiety and nutrient absorption

I added white beans to this recipe because they’re an easy, plant-based protein source that also provides fiber, iron, and potassium, which are nutrients athletes often need more of.

If you want to switch it up, this pasta is also delicious with:

• Shrimp
• Tofu
• Chicken
• Or even chickpeas or lentils

The base stays the same, you just tailor the protein to your needs.

Why I Love Adding Spinach

You’ll notice I finish this dish with baby spinach, and that’s very intentional.

Spinach adds:

• Iron and folate (important for oxygen delivery and energy)
• Antioxidants that support recovery
• Fiber for gut health

But beyond the nutrients, it’s also about crowding meals with plants, not restricting foods. Adding greens to comforting dishes is one of the easiest ways to increase plant intake without making meals feel “healthy” or boring.

You don’t need perfection, you just need more plants, more often.

A Valentine’s Dinner for Two (or the Whole Family)

This is one of those meals that works for every version of Valentine’s Day:

• A romantic night in
• A family dinner with heart-shaped napkins
• Or a cozy weeknight when you want something comforting and nourishing

If you’re making this for kids:

• Reduce or skip the red pepper flakes
• Let them help tear basil or stir the pasta
• Serve it family-style with bread

Valentine’s doesn’t have to be fancy to be meaningful. Some of the best nights are the ones spent at home.

Food is love!

Extra Toppings & Serving Ideas

This pasta is incredible as-is, but if you want to take it over the top:

• Chili crunch for heat and texture
• Hot honey
• Extra parmesan or vegan parm
• Fresh basil and cracked black pepper

Serve with:

• Fresh, crusty bread
• A simple kale Caesar or lemony green salad

Creamy Marry Me Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

• 12 oz rigatoni
• Salted pasta water
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 1½ cup vegetable broth
• ½ cup cashew cream (see below)
• ½–¾ cup freshly grated parmesan
• 2 tsp white miso
• ½ cup white beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 big handfuls baby spinach
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Fresh basil, torn

Cashew Cream (Make First)

Blend until completely smooth:

• ½ cup cashews (soaked if you have time, but not required)
• ½ cup water
• Big pinch of salt

Method

1. Cook rigatoni in very salty water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. In a wide pan over medium-low heat, add olive oil and tomato paste. Cook 1–2 minutes until brick-red and fragrant.
3. Add red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Bloom 30 seconds.
4. Add sun-dried tomatoes and vegetable broth. Simmer until reduced by about half.
5. Lower heat and slowly stir in cashew cream.
6. Add parmesan and miso. Stir until fully melted and glossy.
7. Add white beans and spinach. Let spinach wilt.
8. Add rigatoni plus 1–3 tablespoons pasta water, tossing until sauce coats and lightly pools. Add more pasta water until sauce loosens a bit.
9. Finish with black pepper and torn basil.