Penne with Creamy Ricotta-Marinara Sauce, Kale, Mushrooms & Basil

Ingredients

• fresh basil (1 small package; leaves reserved in two portions)
• 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
• 10 oz kale (1 bag, cut and ready to use)
• 24 oz marinara sauce (1 jar)
• 10 oz penne pasta
• 15 oz ricotta cheese (1 package)
• 8 oz white mushrooms (2 packages, sliced)
• 1 medium yellow onion (peeled, halved, and small-diced)
• crushed red pepper (amount to taste)
• extra virgin olive oil (for coating the skillet; amount not specified)
• Italian seasoning (amount to taste)
• salt (for the pasta cooking water; amount not specified)

Steps

1. 1

   Fill a large pot halfway with hot tap water, cover it, and bring the water to a boil. Uncover the pot, add salt and the penne, and stir for a few seconds. Cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the pasta reaches your desired firmness.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   While the skillet heats, peel and halve the onion, then cut it into a small dice. Peel and mince the garlic.

4. 4

   When the skillet is hot, add enough olive oil to coat the bottom and swirl the pan. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced mushrooms, crushed red pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–4 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.

5. 5

   Add the kale to the skillet in handfuls. Wait for each handful to wilt slightly before adding the next, until all the kale has been incorporated.

6. 6

   Add the marinara sauce and ricotta to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Once it is simmering, remove the skillet from the heat and cover it to keep the sauce warm.

7. 7

   Meanwhile, wash and dry the basil. Pick the leaves from the stems, roll the leaves up crosswise, and thinly slice them into ribbons. Add half of the basil to the skillet with the sauce and stir to combine. Reserve the remaining basil for serving.

8. 8

   When the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the skillet with the sauce. Stir until the penne is evenly coated.

9. 9

   Divide the pasta among plates or bowls. Sprinkle with the reserved basil and serve.

Notes

The source specifies olive oil, crushed red pepper, Italian seasoning, and salt but does not provide quantities. Pasta cooking time is 8–10 minutes; total recipe time is listed as 30 minutes.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• Italian
• vegetarian
• one-pan
• quick
• weeknight
• high-protein