Simple Guide to Making Penne Rosa Noodles and Company at Home

Introduction

Penne Rosa from Noodles and Company is a popular dish that many people love. It’s creamy, slightly spicy, and full of flavor. This blog will show you how to make it at home with simple ingredients and easy steps. Perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends!

Recipe Details

This recipe for Penne Rosa mirrors the tasty dish from Noodles and Company. It combines penne pasta with a creamy tomato sauce, spiced just right and mixed with fresh spinach and mushrooms. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

To make Penne Rosa, you need the following ingredients:

• Penne pasta (1 pound)
• Crushed tomatoes (1 can, about 15 ounces)
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
• Heavy cream (1/2 cup)
• Red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, adjust to taste)
• Fresh spinach (2 cups)
• Sliced mushrooms (1 cup)
• Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Steps

1. Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it’s al dente, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until it’s golden, about 1 minute.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, and add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add the fresh spinach and mushrooms to the sauce, and cook until the spinach wilts and the mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes.
6. Toss the cooked penne pasta into the sauce, mixing well to coat all the noodles.
7. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Tips and Variations

• For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
• Add grilled chicken or shrimp to the dish for extra protein.
• If you like it spicier, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.

Serving Suggestions

Penne Rosa is best served hot. It pairs well with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad to balance out the meal.

Nutritional Information

This dish is high in carbohydrates due to the pasta but also provides good amounts of protein and vegetables. Using whole wheat pasta can increase the fiber content. The heavy cream adds some fat, but substituting it with a lighter option can reduce the calorie count.