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Pasta dish with a creamy sauce.
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5 from 129 votes

Penne Rosa Pasta

Penne rosa pasta is an easy pasta dish with a creamy sauce. You can make the whole penne rosa recipe in one pot. This quick and simple Italian pasta with tomato cream sauce is ideal for a busy weeknight supper.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course, Meals
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: one pot
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 Pound penne pasta cooked and drained
  • 1/2 Cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 Cups spinach fresh
  • 3 Cloves garlic minced
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 yellow onion small, chopped
  • 1/2 Teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Can crushed tomatoes 28-Ounce can
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 3 Sprigs parsley for garnish
  • parmesan cheese shredded, to serve

Instructions

  • In a large pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for an additional minute
  • Add the crushed tomatoes and bay leaves to the pot, mix well and then cover the pot. Let it simmer over a medium-low heat for 4 to 5 minutes
  • Discard the bay leaves. Add the heavy whipping cream, salt and pepper, and spinach. Mix well and cover, allow spinach to cook down, about 3 or 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the hot cooked penne. Add mozzarella cheese and parsley. Stir well, then remove it from the heat.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and/or parmesan.

Notes

Cook the pasta al dente: The pasta is done when it's al dente (still has a little "bite" to it, rather than being completely soft).
Use a large pot: A large pot, deep-sided medium skillet or Dutch oven is ideal for this recipe, as you'll be combining the hot pasta and the sauce in there.
Drain the pasta well: You don't want a watery sauce.
Uniform chopped veggies: Try to cut your vegetables into even-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 456kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 351mg | Potassium: 678mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3912IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 249mg | Iron: 4mg

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