Creamy Mushroom Spinach Penne Recipe
This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Penne is a delightful vegetarian pasta dish combining tender sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it comes together quickly with simple ingredients, delivering a luscious and satisfying meal.
- Author: lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta
Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (such as cremini or button mushrooms)
- 4 cups fresh spinach
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside to be combined later.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and tender.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning if desired.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the creamy mushroom and spinach sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the creamy mushroom spinach penne hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired for extra flavor.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.
- Fresh mushrooms provide the best flavor, but canned mushrooms can be used in a pinch.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper gradually to suit your taste.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give this dish a subtle spicy kick.
Keywords: creamy mushroom spinach penne, vegetarian pasta recipe, creamy pasta, mushroom pasta, spinach pasta, easy weeknight dinner, Italian pasta dish