Olive Garden Penne Romana Copycat

Recreate the magic of your favorite Italian restaurant with this irresistible Olive Garden Penne Romana Copycat recipe! Featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a luxuriously creamy Parmesan sauce, this dish is bursting with flavor from earthy mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. The rich combination of butter and olive oil, paired with aromatic garlic and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, creates a perfectly balanced, restaurant-quality dish you can enjoy at home. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting pasta makes an excellent weeknight dinner or a show-stopping meal for entertaining. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a feast for the senses that’s sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4

Add in the sliced mushrooms and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until they are golden and tender.

Step 5

Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes to release their flavor.

Step 6

Add the spinach to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.

Step 7

Lower the heat and pour in the whipping cream. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

Step 8

Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 9

If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 10

Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.

Step 11

Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1422.2 grams (1422.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4128

Total Fat 233.90g	300%
Saturated Fat 127.80g	639%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 626mg	209%
Sodium 3944mg	171%
Total Carbohydrate 361.40g	131%
Dietary Fiber 27.60g	99%
Total Sugars 76.90g
Protein 113.80g	228%

Vitamin D 27IU	136%
Calcium 1164mg	90%
Iron 28mg	156%
Potassium 4939mg	105%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.5%

Protein: 11.4%

Carbs: 36.1%