Three-Layer Mushroom and Spinach Pasta Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A comforting baked pasta dish featuring distinct layers of creamy mushroom-spinach filling and melted cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 620 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped onion and cook until translucent (5 minutes). Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and cook until golden (8-10 minutes). Stir in 2 cups fresh spinach and cook until wilted (2 minutes).
  4. Step 4: In a bowl, combine 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Step 5: In a 9x13 inch baking dish, layer half the cooked penne, then half the mushroom-spinach mixture, then half the cream sauce. Repeat with remaining penne, mushroom-spinach, and cream sauce. Top with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Related recipes