One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta Primavera
A single-pot pasta dish with earthy mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a velvety cream sauce, made in under 25 minutes. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, sliced cremini mushrooms 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
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1/2 cup, finely diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot; cook penne pasta until al dente, about 10 minutes, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes, then add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until golden and tender.
- Step 3: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, stir in heavy cream, reserved pasta water, Parmesan, and nutmeg. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, then add cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta Primavera 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 One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta Primavera?
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 One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta Primavera?
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 One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta Primavera 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 One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta Primavera 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
