Description
A quick and easy one-pot creamy pasta dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the penne pasta to the pot, followed by the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes, stirring until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes are warmed through.
- Remove from heat and let sit for a couple of minutes to thicken. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a protein boost, add cooked chicken or shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use whole wheat pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 80mg