Mushroom & Spinach 'Cheesy' Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A creamy, veggie-loaded pasta dish with earthy mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a velvety cheese sauce cooked to tender perfection. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 260 minutes, pairs fusilli pasta, cremini mushrooms, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 American cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 8 oz fusilli pasta, 1.5 cups sliced cremini mushrooms, 3 cups fresh spinach, and 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth into a 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, and 1 tsp garlic powder until smooth, then stir into the slow cooker until fully combined and thickened.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened to coat the back of a spoon, stirring once after 2 hours to distribute ingredients.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1.5 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese until melted and creamy, then let sit for 5 minutes to set before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mushroom & Spinach 'Cheesy' Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Mushroom & Spinach 'Cheesy' 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 fusilli pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mushroom & Spinach 'Cheesy' 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 Mushroom & Spinach 'Cheesy' Pasta 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 Mushroom & Spinach 'Cheesy' Pasta?

American slow cooker 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.

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