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Creamy Mushroom Pasta served with golden mushrooms and garlic parmesan sauce

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

A cozy and rich pasta dish loaded with savory mushrooms, perfect for a comforting meal that is easy to prepare.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz fettuccine, linguine, spaghetti, or penne Use any type of pasta you have.
Mushrooms
  • 8 oz cremini or baby bella mushrooms White mushrooms are fine too; a mix is better.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 Tbsp butter or olive oil Butter for comfort, olive oil for a lighter sauce.
  • 3-5 cloves garlic Fresh garlic is essential.
  • 1 small onion or shallot Optional, for added flavor.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Classic choice for creaminess.
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan For better melting and taste.
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water Key to a silky sauce.
  • to taste salt and black pepper Season in layers as you cook.
  • 1 Tbsp fresh herbs (parsley or thyme) Parsley is easiest; thyme pairs well with mushrooms.
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice Optional, but adds brightness.

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Boil the pasta in well salted water until just al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Cooking Mushrooms
  1. In a big skillet, cook the mushrooms in butter or olive oil over medium-high heat. Spread them out to brown properly, and let them sit before stirring.
  2. Once browned, add a pinch of salt, followed by garlic and onion. Cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
Building the Sauce
  1. Pour in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to avoid aggressive bubbling.
  2. Stir in parmesan and black pepper until the sauce thickens.
Final Steps
  1. Toss in the cooked pasta along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir until every noodle is coated with sauce.
  2. Taste and adjust seasonings with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
  3. Finish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan at the table.

Notes

For variations, you can make it lighter with half and half or add proteins like chicken or shrimp. Keep the heat low once dairy is added to keep the sauce smooth.