I love this 15 minute pasta. Seriously. It literally takes 15 minutes to make this and starts at the end. Bring the pasta to a boil while sautéing mushrooms and onions and with that shiny balsamic reduction, throw the remaining ingredients into a pot and serve!
For a lighter, fresher pasta recipe, try the 15-minute Italian Garden Pasta.
Why my recipe
A quick and easy pasta recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes! It is loaded with vegetables and served with creamy feta cheese. It is made with balsamic vinegar and red wine vinegar, not a light, fresh, heavy sauce.
This is a meatless meal for when you want a light dinner that is still big in flavour! What our family has been enjoying for years is noodles and company imitation recipes. I love this pasta dish because it is packed with vegetables such as mushrooms and tomatoes. However, if you want to add a little more protein, you can easily add chicken or salmon.
Ingredient Notes
Penne Pasta: Use from the box and cook to al dente. Olive Oil: Cook vegetables using a light neutral oil. Avocados or vegetable oils can also be used. Garlic: Garlic, which has a new garlic, offers the best flavor, but jarred mink garlic also works. Jarred is simply sweet and slightly bitter. Red Onion: Feel free to replace white or yellow onions based on your preference. Mushrooms: Both white buttons or brown cremini mushrooms work. Cherry or grape tomato: either of these. Cut them in half or quarter for a perfect bite. A yellow and red tomato mix is also available. Baby Spinach Leaves: It has a softer texture than regular spinach and wilts more easily. Make sure to rinse off before cooking! Balsamic Vinegar: Use good quality balsamic vinegar for the best flavor. Red Wine Vinegar: White Wine Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar can be used as an alternative in the same amount. Feta Cheese: Crushed feta adds a salty, tangy flavor.
Add protein
I think this dish is tasty in its own right, but sometimes I’m looking for a little extra protein. There are so many options when it comes to protein options. Here are some of our favorites:
Chicken: Use chicken bids or chicken breast to cook as well. Season with a little salt and pepper and bake in a frying pan over medium heat with olive oil. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked.
Salmon: Season the salmon portion with a little salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add to medium-high heat. Sheave the salmon portions for 3-4 minutes on each side.
Pasta Options
This recipe requires penne pasta, but you can use any type of pasta. Other pasta options that work well in this recipe include angel hair pasta, linguine, fur foal (bow tie), or seashells.
Switch vegetables
I love this recipe for all of the delicious vegetables that add flavor and texture to this dish. If you want to add more vegetables (or replace some), asparagus and zucchini are the best options. They have similar textures and cooking time to other vegetables, and are paired well with Italian flavours. When sauteing, throw them correctly!
Storage and reheat
Place leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat the microwave portion high in 30 seconds increments.
