Pasta Fresca is an easy 20-minute meal full of all your favorite Italian flavors. Al dente pasta, juicy ripe tomatoes, baby spinach and earthy mushrooms sautéed with balsamic vinegar and garlic for a umami rich sauce base, with a splash of heavy cream makes this a satisfying weeknight dinner!
Pasta Fresca is my favorite dish to order at Noodles and Company. Making it home is so easy and inexpensive. I also love to add my personal touch to it. It is our family favorite light and tasty weeknight dinner.
We also have more Noodles and Company copycat recipes like Penne Rosa ( Creamy Tomato Pasta ) as well as Penne Pesto Primavera.
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Makes restaurant quality pasta dinner in 20 minutes.
- It is inexpensive and budget-friendly meal.
- Leftovers are great for meal prep.
- Simple ingredients and easy to personalize
Like our Instant Pot Mac and Cheese and Creamy Mushroom Pasta, this is another vegetarian pasta recipe the whole family will love!
Ingredients
Pasta : I used Farfalle pasta which is butterfly shaped small cut pasta. You can also use your choice of pasta including penne pasta, rigatoni or macaroni.
Vegetables : Red onion, fresh Roma tomatoes, baby spinach leaves and baby Bella mushrooms are my preferred vegetables in this pasta. To save on prep time, use pre-sliced mushrooms.
Flavors : Freshly minced garlic and Italian Seasoning add a great deal of flavor. Olive oil is used in cooking the vegetables which also add nutty fruity flavors.
Balsamic Vinegar : Choose best quality balsamic vinegar. It adds a rich and complex taste full of sweet, tart and acidic notes to this dish. Along with umami flavors of mushrooms, it makes this Fresca Sauce unbelievably earthy and swoon worthy.
Substitutions
Pasta : Use Banza chickpea pasta to add good serving of plant protein. You can substitute gluten free pasta as well as whole grain pasta to make this dinner extra nutrient rich.
Veggies : You can use kale leaves, arugula or other leafy greens instead of fresh spinach. Grape or Cheery tomatoes can be used instead of regular tomatoes. If you don't like mushrooms, you can skip using them. Shallots or Vidalia sweet onions are great alternatives to red onion. I also love to add asparagus when in season.
Flavors : Add sun dried tomatoes, chopped green or black olives or capers for additional rich flavors. You can use store bought balsamic vinaigrette or white wine as well. Add a dash of red pepper flakes for the hint of spiciness.
Cheese : Feta cheese or parmesan cheese add wonderful flavors and elevate the taste of this pasta further. Choose plant based cheese for vegan option.
Step By Step Instructions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Sprinkle some salt. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes. Mushrooms start to release water and darken.
Add Italian seasoning , balsamic vinegar, tomatoes and ground black pepper and continue to sauté for about 3 minutes.
Add cooked pasta, heavy cream and baby spinach to the pan and toss to coat. Cook for a couple minutes until spinach wilt and pasta warmed through.
Adjust the seasoning, salt and pepper. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Add salt and olive oil to the boiling water when you make pasta. Salt adds taste and oil prevents pasta from sticking together.
- You can boil the pasta and cook the sauce simultaneously to save time.
- Save ¼ cup of starchy pasta water and add it in cooking to make saucier Fresca sauce.
- Serve this Pasta Fresca warm along with a crusty bread or Air Fryer Garlic Toast for a complete meal.
Recipe FAQs
Pasta Fresca mean "Fresh Pasta" . This recipe makes Noodles and Things restaurant like Pasta Fresca which is boiled pasta tossed with sautéed onions, mushrooms and baby spinach in a balsamic vinegar and Italian herb sauce.
Substitute plant based heavy cream like cashew cream or coconut cream to make this recipe vegan.
This pasta dinner can be served as a main meal with a side of bread sticks or crostini. To amp up the protein, you could add tofu or chickpeas for vegetarians or shrimps or chicken for meat eaters.
Homemade pasta Fresca sauce is made from cooked minced garlic in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, and a splash of heavy cream.
Easy Pasta Recipes
📖 Recipe
Pasta Fresca Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pasta cooked al dente
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small red onion sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 8 oz. baby Bella mushrooms sliced
- 3-4 Red Tomatoes diced
- 2 cups baby spinach roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes for serving
- ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh chopped basil leaves
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Sprinkle some salt. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes. Mushrooms start to release water and darken.
- Add Italian seasoning , balsamic vinegar and tomatoes, ground black pepper and continue to sauté for about 3 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta, heavy cream and baby spinach to the pan and toss to coat. Cook for a couple minutes until warmed through.
- Adjust the seasoning, salt and pepper. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
How to Cook Pasta In Instant Pot?
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Combine pasta, oil, water, and salt in the insert of an Instant Pot. Close and lock the lid. Set the vent to “Sealing”.
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Pressure cook on high for the time. ( Use lowest time on the suggested cooking time and divide it by 2)
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After it's done cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. After that, manually release any remaining pressure.
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Open the lid and give the pasta a good stir. It is ready to Use.
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