Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Penne (Printable Version)

Velvety penne tossed with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and creamy Parmesan sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 9 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
04 - 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach

→ Sauce

08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - ½ cup vegetable broth
10 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste
13 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
15 - Additional grated Parmesan

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until golden and tender.
03 - Add chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
04 - Mix in sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream and vegetable broth. Stir well and add Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
06 - Stir grated Parmesan into the sauce until melted and creamy.
07 - Add cooked penne and fresh spinach to the skillet. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water incrementally to adjust sauce consistency.
08 - Remove from heat. Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and extra grated Parmesan before serving.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • Comforting one-skillet meal
  • Velvety cream sauce with tangy sun-dried tomatoes
02 -
  • Substitute gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version
  • Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a non-vegetarian option
03 -
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency
  • Sauté mushrooms until golden for enhanced flavor
Go Back