Heart-Healthy Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce

Indulge in the guilt-free comfort of our Heart-Healthy Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce, a vibrant and nutritious dish that's perfect for any weeknight dinner. This recipe features whole wheat penne pasta tossed in a velvety, plant-based sauce made with low-sodium vegetable broth, unsweetened almond milk, and a boost of cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast—all without the added fat and cholesterol of traditional cream sauces. Fresh spinach and juicy cherry tomatoes add a pop of color and a wealth of vitamins, while aromatic garlic, onion, and basil bring irresistible flavor. Ready in just 35 minutes, this wholesome meal is packed with fiber and heart-healthy ingredients, making it an ideal choice for mindful eating without sacrificing taste. Serve it fresh from the pan for a nourishing dish everyone will love!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams whole wheat penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 250 milliliters low-sodium vegetable broth
• 125 milliliters unsweetened almond milk
• 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 100 grams fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 150 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
• 10 grams fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the whole wheat penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth, almond milk, nutritional yeast, and cornstarch until smooth.

Step 4

Pour the broth mixture into the pan with the onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the chopped spinach to the sauce and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted.

Step 6

Stir in the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, salt, and black pepper, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.

Step 7

Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve warm and enjoy your heart-healthy meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1025.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1350.6

Total Fat 34.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1513.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 214.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.8g	0%
Total Sugars 17.7g
Protein 46.9g	0%

Vitamin D 46.4IU	0%
Calcium 477.4mg	0%
Iron 13.8mg	0%
Potassium 2693.5mg	0%

*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: 23.1%

Protein: 13.8%

Carbs: 63.1%