This Cream of Mushroom Pasta is the perfect quick and delicious meal. With a rich, creamy sauce and savory mushrooms, it's ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is sure to become a family favorite!
Here are more easy pasta recipes for quick dinner options! You'll love my one-pot pasta with peas, lemon artichoke pasta, roasted red pepper pasta, and ricotta-stuffed shells.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Quick and easy to prepare for busy weeknights: This recipe can be made in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for when you need a delicious meal without spending much time in the kitchen.
- Creamy sauce and wholesome ingredients: The rich, creamy sauce pairs perfectly with fresh, wholesome ingredients like baby bella mushrooms and spinach for a satisfying yet nutritious meal that feels indulgent without being overly heavy.
🧾 Ingredients and notes
- Pasta: The base of the dish, cooked al dente for the best texture.
- Baby Bella Mushrooms: Provide a savory, umami flavor and meaty texture.
- Shallots/Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Enhances the aromatic profile of the dish.
- Thyme: Adds an earthy, aromatic note to the sauce.
- Vegetable Broth: Forms the base of the sauce and can be substituted with chicken broth for richer flavor.
- Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Spinach: Adds freshness and a pop of color.
- Lemon Juice: Balances the richness of the sauce with a hint of acidity.
- Parsley: Used as a garnish for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, umami finish to the dish.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding flavor.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Cream of mushroom pasta step-by-step
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Reserve some pasta water.
- Prepare the Mushrooms: Wash and slice the mushrooms.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms until golden brown.
- Cook Aromatics: Add diced shallots/onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until soft and fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Add thyme leaves and reduce the broth by a quarter.
- Finish the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and add heavy cream and spinach. Stir until spinach wilts. Adjust seasoning and add lemon juice.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir cooked pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed. Top with parmesan and parsley.
📖 Substitutions and variations
- Mushrooms: Use any variety of mushrooms, such as white button or portobello.
- Broth: Use chicken broth for a richer taste.
- Spinach: Substitute with kale or arugula.
- Cream: Use half-and-half for a lighter sauce or coconut cream for a dairy-free option.
- Lemon Juice: Add a splash of white wine for a different acidic note.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for recipe success.
- Pasta Water: Always reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Mushroom Sauté: Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure mushrooms cook evenly and develop a nice golden color.
- Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning at each step to ensure balanced flavors.
- Cream Addition: Lower the heat before adding cream to prevent it from curdling.
- Fresh Herbs: Use fresh thyme and parsley for the best flavor.
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
- Fridge- mushroom pasta keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Reheating- You can reheat this mushroom pasta in the microwave or a pan on the stovetop. Just be sure to add a splash of water to help loosen the sauce.
- Freezer—not suitable for freezing. Once defrosted, the pasta will turn mushy, and the cream sauce will turn grainy and likely split.
❓Recipe FAQ's
Depending on your preference, you can use either fresh or dried pasta for this dish. Fresh pasta cooks faster, while dried pasta has a firmer texture.
Yes, you can make the pasta and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, reheat the sauce in a saucepan and toss with the cooked pasta.
Lower the heat before adding the cream and stir constantly.
More Easy Pasta Recipes:
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One Pot Cream of Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 4 cups pasta, cooked al dente according to the package directions (see notes)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound chestnut mushrooms, washed and sliced
- 2 shallots or 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth, or chicken broth for a richer flavor
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups packed spinach
- 1 lemon, juice only
For Serving:
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- Grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve some pasta water for later use.
Prepare the Mushrooms:
- Wash and slice the mushrooms. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
- Sauté the mushrooms in a single layer without crowding them. Cook until golden brown.
Make the Sauce:
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced shallots/onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onions are soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour in the broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Add the thyme leaves and simmer until the broth has reduced by about a quarter, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, pour in the cream, and add the spinach. Stir until the spinach wilts.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to balance the flavors.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring all noodles are well-coated. If needed, adjust the sauce consistency with reserved pasta water.
- Serve immediately, topped with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Notes
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Overcooked pasta can become mushy and affect the texture of the dish. Check for doneness a minute before the time indicated on the package.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta, reserve some of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water can be used to thin the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce before adding the pasta and adjust the seasoning as needed. Additional salt, pepper, or other spices may be necessary to balance the flavors.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs. Cordon Bleu trained chef and recipe developer. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes and step-by-step instructions along with tips and tricks that I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I can't wait to make this for my husband Tom! He's going to LOVE it!
Albert Bevia says
Great tip on searing the mushrooms, this pasta looks truly incredible, and yeah pasta dishes are always the saviour of every household!!! great recipe
Nancy Buchanan says
Truly one of my favorite types of pasta dishes - and your tips on sauteing the mushrooms is spot on!
Christina says
Perfect comfort food! Just what I need to get me through another snowy week!
Aimee says
I’m all about the “lighter” recipes and I know this is one I’d love as well as my kids. Plus it’s weeknight perfec!!
Debs says
Thanks so much Aimee!