America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Whole-Wheat Penne with Baby Spinach

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 23, 2012

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Whole-Wheat Penne with Baby Spinach

Ingredients

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces3 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 garlic cloves, minced¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 3 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 cup heavy cream Salt and pepper 12 ounces (3 ¾ cups) whole-wheat penne 6 ounces (6 cups) baby spinach, chopped2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)

Before You Begin

You can substitute baby arugula for the baby spinach.

Instructions

  1. Process bread in food processor until coarsely ground, about 5 seconds. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add one-third of garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl.
  2. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in now-empty skillet over ­medium-high heat. Add remaining garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in broth, cream, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and bring to simmer. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10 minutes.
  3. Off heat, stir in spinach and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with toasted bread crumbs. Serve.
Whole-Wheat Penne with Baby Spinach

Whole-Wheat Penne with Baby Spinach

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper
12 ounces (3 ¾ cups) whole-wheat penne
6 ounces (6 cups) baby spinach, chopped
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)

Ingredients

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper
12 ounces (3 ¾ cups) whole-wheat penne
6 ounces (6 cups) baby spinach, chopped
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)

Ingredients

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper
12 ounces (3 ¾ cups) whole-wheat penne
6 ounces (6 cups) baby spinach, chopped
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)

Why This Recipe Works

To save time and dishes, we cook the pasta and the sauce in the same pan.

Before You Begin

You can substitute baby arugula for the baby spinach.

Instructions

  1. Process bread in food processor until coarsely ground, about 5 seconds. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add one-third of garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl.
  2. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in now-empty skillet over ­medium-high heat. Add remaining garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in broth, cream, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and bring to simmer. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10 minutes.
  3. Off heat, stir in spinach and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with toasted bread crumbs. Serve.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

Keep Exploring

This is a members' feature.