Cheesy Baked Penne with Spinach and Mushrooms
A creamy, comforting pasta dish loaded with spinach, mushrooms, and melted mozzarella. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 60 minutes pairs penne pasta, fresh spinach, sliced button mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup sliced button mushrooms
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook penne in salted boiling water for 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, mushrooms, and 1/2 tsp salt. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until mushrooms are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Add cooked penne, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Toss to combine. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheesy Baked Penne with Spinach and Mushrooms take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cheesy Baked Penne with Spinach and Mushrooms?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cheesy Baked Penne with Spinach and Mushrooms?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cheesy Baked Penne with Spinach and Mushrooms for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cheesy Baked Penne with Spinach and Mushrooms?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
