Description
Pasta Fresca is a vibrant and delicious pasta dish featuring penne tossed with sautéed mushrooms, red onions, garlic, and fresh baby spinach in a flavorful balsamic vinegar sauce. Enhanced with capers, grape tomatoes, and an optional touch of heavy cream, this recipe is finished with a generous sprinkle of shaved Parmesan and fresh parsley for a perfect blend of tangy, savory, and fresh flavors. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight meal that’s both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 tablespoons olive oil + more for tossing pasta
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced
- 8 oz. baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 3.5 oz. jar capers, drained
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
For Serving
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté onions and mushrooms: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add sliced red onion and baby Bella mushrooms along with a few pinches of kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Continue cooking and stirring for 1 more minute to release the flavors.
- Add vinegar, tomatoes, and capers: Pour in the balsamic vinegar, then add halved grape tomatoes and drained capers. Season with additional salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the tomatoes to soften.
- Wilt the spinach and add cream: Stir in chopped baby spinach and cook until wilted. If using, add the heavy cream and stir until combined and heated through.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauté pan and toss well to coat all the pasta with the flavorful sauce. Cook together for a couple of minutes until warmed through.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley and shaved Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a richer dish, the addition of heavy cream is optional and can be omitted for a lighter version.
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente to maintain good texture when mixed with the sauce.
- Use fresh Parmesan and parsley for best flavor impact as garnish.
- Capers add a salty tang, so adjust salt accordingly to avoid over-salting.
- This dish can be served as a vegetarian main course.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
