This pasta is packed full of fresh ingredients like tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. Crushed red pepper flakes add a little kick, and heavy cream makes it nice and creamy. And if you want a little something more, feel free to add some chicken. Welcome to one of our family favorites!

For more easy pasta recipes, try our 15 Minute Italian Garden Pasta.

Why My Recipe

  • Loaded with fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach.
  • Whip up this easy pasta dish in only 15 minutes!
  • Add some grilled chicken if you’re in the mood for a heartier dish.
Penne Rosa in a pan sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

Noodles and Company makes a delicious pasta dish they call Penne Rosa. It was love at first bite and we knew it would be incredibly simple to make it at home. And bonus, at home you get to add more of the good stuff that restaurants always skimp out on to cut costs. That’s right, this recipe is even BETTER than Noodles and Co. And better yet, it takes just 15 minutes to whip this pasta up, making it a staple weeknight meal.

Ingredient Notes

Penne Rosa Ingredients.
  • Penne Pasta: Just use from the box and cook to al dente.
  • Olive Oil: Use a neutral oil to sauté veggies. You can also use vegetable, avocado, or olive oil.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor, but jarred minced garlic does work too. Jarred just has a less sweet, slightly more bitter flavor.
  • Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought brand or homemade marinara sauce. This adds a rich tomato flavor.
  • Roma Tomatoes: Adds freshness and texture to the sauce.
  • Mushrooms: White button or the brown cremini mushrooms both work.
  • Baby Spinach Leaves: Has a softer texture than regular spinach and wilts down more easily. Make sure to rinse before cooking!
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: This sauce traditionally has a kick of heat, but you can always adjust this amount up or down to your personal taste preferences.
  • Heavy Cream: You could get away with half-and-half, but it won’t be as thick or creamy.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan always melts the best and doesn’t contain ant-clumping additives.

Pasta Options

We love this dish with penne, but you could really use just about any pasta. Rigatoni, elbows, and shells are all great options.

Add Some Protein

We think this dish is delicious all by itself, but sometimes we’re looking for a little added protein. You have so many choices when it comes to protein options. Here are some of our favorites:

Chicken: Use chicken tenders or chicken breasts for equally quick cooking. Season with a little salt and pepper, and sear it in olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through.

Salmon: Season salmon portions with a little salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet heated to medium-high heat. Sear salmon portions for 3-4 minutes per side.

A forkful of Penne Rosa hovering over a bowl of pasta.

Adjust the Heat

This dish has a delightful bit of heat to it, but it is not overpowering. If you are particularly spice sensitive, keep it at 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. If you enjoy spice, go ahead and use that full 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, or even add more!

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to revive the sauce’s creamy texture if needed.

Microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until heated through.

More pasta recipes…

Absolutely amazing! So easy and comes together so quickly. Definitely a do again. I would serve this dish to guests.
Thank you!!

– Scott
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