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Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe

3.9 from 66 reviews

This creamy mushroom pasta is a quick and delicious dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich and flavorful mushroom cream sauce made with fresh brown mushrooms, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley, this recipe delivers comforting Italian-inspired flavors in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1/2 lb. dry pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 lb. brown mushrooms, halved
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half cream)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain well and return to the pot. Drizzle with a little olive oil and toss to prevent sticking.
  2. Sauté the mushrooms: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until hot and sizzling, about 2 minutes. Add the halved mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the mushrooms are golden brown on all sides.
  3. Create the roux base: Add butter, minced garlic, and all-purpose flour to the skillet with the mushrooms. Stir continuously for 1 minute until fragrant and well combined, forming a light roux to thicken the sauce.
  4. Make the cream sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, then add the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the creamy mushroom sauce in the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta with the sauce. Garnish with additional Parmesan and parsley, and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Use any long pasta like spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine for best results.
  • For a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less thick.
  • Ensure mushrooms are evenly browned to enhance flavor.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts best and gives richer flavor compared to pre-grated options.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid cream separation.

Keywords: creamy mushroom pasta, mushroom pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, easy pasta dinner, quick Italian pasta