One-Pot Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach
A comforting weeknight dinner featuring tender pasta simmered with earthy mushrooms and fresh spinach in a garlicky herb sauce. This general-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, medium, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 medium, finely diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 8 oz, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Cook for 5 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and soften.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups vegetable broth and 8 oz penne pasta, ensuring pasta is submerged. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and broth is mostly absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 cups fresh spinach until spinach wilts completely.
- Step 7: Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach?
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 Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach?
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 Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach 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 Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach 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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to one pot dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
