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-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs olive oil, cremini mushrooms, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. 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 "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

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

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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.