Creamy Spinach And Mushroom Penne Pasta

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A lacto-vegetarian pasta dish using spinach, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and cream cheese to create a thick, delectable tomato sauce. The original recipe only called for cream cheese, canned pasta sauce, spinach, pasta, and parmesan cheese. I added the mushrooms to give the sauce more substance.

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Steps

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Heat oil in skillet on medium heat and saute onions and garlic until tender.

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Add mushrooms and spinach and saute until heated through.

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Add herbs and spices.

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Mix well.

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Mix in tomato sauce , and diced tomatoes.

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Simmer , covered , for 15 minutes.

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Meanwhile , cook penne pasta according to package directions in a large pot.

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Drain pasta and return it to the large pot.

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Stir in in parmesan cheese and light cream cheese.

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Mix well.

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Add prepared sauce to pasta and mix until well combined.

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Serve topped with extra parmesan cheese , if desired.

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Ingredients

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penne pasta, olive oil, red onion, garlic cloves, baby portabella mushrooms, frozen chopped spinach, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, ground black pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, spike seasoning, fennel seed, red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese, light cream cheese