Mushroom & Spinach 'Pizza' Pasta
A creamy tomato-mushroom sauce swirled with spinach, served over pasta and topped with a 'cheesy' nutritional yeast sprinkle for a pizza-inspired meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 33 minutes pairs fusilli pasta, finely chopped cremini mushrooms, packed fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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 fusilli pasta
- 1.5 cups, finely chopped cremini mushrooms
- 2 cups, packed fresh spinach
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 12 oz fusilli pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1.5 cups finely chopped mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until golden and all moisture evaporates.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, then whisk in 1/2 cup vegetable broth and 1 cup tomato sauce until smooth and bubbling.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low and stir in 2 cups packed fresh spinach until wilted and fully incorporated, about 2 minutes. Add 1 tsp dried oregano and 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, stirring until the sauce is thick and glossy.
- Step 5: Add the drained pasta to the sauce, tossing until coated, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Serve immediately with extra nutritional yeast sprinkled on top for a 'cheesy' finish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mushroom & Spinach 'Pizza' Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 33 minutes (15 min prep + 18 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 'Pizza' 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 'Pizza' 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 'Pizza' 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.
What goes well with Mushroom & Spinach 'Pizza' Pasta?
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
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
