Festus Style Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta
A comforting pasta dish featuring sautéed mushrooms and spinach in a lightly creamy garlic sauce. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, white button mushrooms, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz white button mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 8 oz sliced white button mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes until they release moisture and start to turn golden.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 4 cups fresh spinach leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, simmering gently for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and slightly coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the sauce and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water; mix in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Festus Style Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Festus Style Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta?
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 Festus Style Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta?
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 Festus Style Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Festus Style Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
