One-Pot Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A quick, comforting one-pot pasta with earthy mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce that comes together effortlessly for weeknight dinners. This Italian pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs olive oil, cremini mushrooms, and garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 520 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 12 oz uncooked penne pasta
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves, loosely packed
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes until they release their moisture and start to brown. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
2. Step 2: Add 12 oz uncooked penne pasta, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1 tsp salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 4 cups loosely packed fresh spinach leaves. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir until the cheese melts and coats the pasta, then serve immediately for a rich and satisfying meal.