Baked Penne with Mushrooms, Bacon and Spinach

Prep 45 min
Total 1 hr 10 min
Servings 6

Easy, creamy, savory and veggie-packed, this rich, delicious dish is affordable without tasting like it! And it’s ready in just over an hour. See how to make it. MORE+ LESS-

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated March 17, 2014

Ingredients

oz uncooked penne pasta

1 1/2

cups whipping cream

slices bacon, chopped

cups sliced onions

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/4

teaspoon pepper

package (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms (about 3 cups)

box (9 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain

1/2

cup shredded Parmesan cheese (2 oz)

cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)

Steps

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1

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2

Cook pasta as directed on package. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta; return to stockpot. Add cream; toss. Set aside.
3

Spray 12-inch sauté pan or skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add bacon; cook until crisp. With slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan to plate; set aside.
4

Add onions, salt and pepper to bacon drippings in pan; cook and stir 4 to 7 minutes or until translucent. Add mushrooms; cook 6 to 10 minutes longer or until browned and liquid evaporates. Add spinach and reserved pasta cooking water; cook and stir 1 minute.
5

Pour mushroom mixture over pasta; toss to coat. Pour into baking dish. Top evenly with both cheeses. Cover dish tightly with foil.
6

Bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; top with reserved bacon. Bake uncovered 5 minutes longer.

Expert Tips

Prepare and assemble the casserole, without baking, up to a day ahead. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes. Then, remove foil, add bacon and bake 5 minutes longer.
Lose the bacon for a meat-free twist, or just add bacon to bacon lovers' bowls for a pasta that pleases vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 530
Calories from Fat: 290

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 32g; 49%
Saturated Fat 18g 91% Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol: 105mg; 35%
Sodium: 850mg; 35%
Potassium: 320mg; 9%
Total Carbohydrate: 41g; 14%
Dietary Fiber 3g 13% Sugars 4g
Protein: 20g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 45%; 45%
Vitamin C: 4%; 4%
Calcium: 35%; 35%
Iron: 10%; 10%

Exchanges:

2 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 5 Fat;