Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsSandpiperPiper Penne Recipe

Piper Penne Recipe

Inspired by Sandpiper
Time30m
Serves4

Make Piper Penne Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Method

Cooking Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil Water

    In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tsp of salt to the boiling water.

  2. 2

    Cook Penne

    Add 2 cups of penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes.

  3. 3

    Drain Pasta

    Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later use.

Preparing the Sauce

  1. 4

    Sauté Vegetables

    In the same pot, heat 2 tbs of olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add 1 diced red bell pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened.

  2. 5

    Add Spinach

    Stir in 2 cups of fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.

  3. 6

    Combine Cream and Cheese

    Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and stir well. Gradually add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens.

  4. 7

    Season the Sauce

    Add 1 tsp of black pepper and 1 tsp of chili flakes to the sauce. Mix thoroughly to combine.

  5. 8

    Combine Pasta and Sauce

    Add the drained penne pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.

Serving

  1. 9

    Garnish and Serve

    Serve the Piper Penne in bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves and an extra 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top.

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