Spinach Penne Pomodoro

This is a simple no-frills Spinach Penne Pomodoro pasta dish with fresh spinach leaves and a rich homemade tomato sauce and if you were looking for creamy types, you're this isn't that kind of recipe.

This easy-to-assemble pasta dish is very flavorful, and the spinach totally different version from anything that has cream cheese or other creamy ingredients.

Our meatless pasta dish is a favorite summer meal or basically vegetarian however for all the meat eaters out there feel free to make a side of Mom's Italian Meatballs for a side dish.

We love Regional style dishes like these Rigatoni alla Zozzona, and other Roman-style dishes we make often  Cacio e Pepe and of course the fabulous Carbonara all-Roman versions my Grandmother would make that her mom taught her as a child from Rome, Italy.

Although this basic recipe is a tomato sauce, basil, with penne and fresh spinach, adapt it to however you prefer your pasta toppings, there are many to choose from and suggestions below to mix in if you're not fond of spinach.

If you love a simple lighter pasta dish this is one to add to your recipe collection.

Scroll down to our printable recipe card for our easy-to-follow instructions.

New Year's Healthy Green Brunch Recipes

If you're looking to start off the New Year in a healthy way as well as bring yourself good luck (as it's said that many countries around the world make greens, beans, or both), then check out this leafy green brunch roundup here today!


Greens such as escarole, romaine, cabbage, and spinach look like money so they're thought to bring the best of luck when the New Year starts, (or even green beans are part of this superstition) anything green you cook will start a good luck tradition.


Not only are all these green leafy meals delicious, but they're also a healthy way to kick off the New Year with a light nutritious diet after all those every laden meal over the Christmas holiday season.


Besides leafy greens, many countries around the world also celebrate New Years' eating different green foods, for example, beans are a big tradition in Italy and many folks are eating green lentils with sausages (cotechino con lenticchie) which is another sign of money because they're green.


In the Southern states, they usually serve black-eyed peas and collard greens, which our Italian version is Escarole and Beans.


No matter what food you choose to make, something that's is healthy and green, is perfect to start the year with is with a positive attitude and be hopeful for good changes in the year to come.


Scroll through our lucky recipe choice menu roundup recipe foods to enjoy, we love them all and wishing you the best of everything delicious to come!

Italian Sauteed Spinach

If you love spinach, here are two recipes below. We love using fresh spinach sautéed in olive oil and garlic.

The other recipe uses Brussels sprouts, spinach, and sliced almonds, and also excellent.

I have only used fresh spinach leaves in my recipes, but I have been told canned and frozen also will work with this simple side dish.

Spinach can be used in so many ways and is so versatile.

Great for stuffing in a stromboli pizza dough, on a burger, in quiches, or just using this as a bed of spinach under some baked fish.

This versatile recipe can be spicy or plain depending on how much heat you like, and with the addition of a Utica grind of red pepper, that's exactly how we serve ours.

If you love spinach, this is an easy way to serve it, and just adapt these recipes below to your taste.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for both recipes on Italian-Style Sautéed Spinach and Spinach with Brussels Sprouts.