Simple One Pot Lighter Healthier Creamy Mushroom Pasta

This creamy mushroom pasta has the silkiest garlic cream sauce. This is a simple pasta recipe made with everyday basic ingredients. With spinach, garlic and onions this mushroom pasta is healthier and lighter than a traditional cream pasta. Ready in 30 minutes. Vegetarian.

4.38 from 8 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: Servings

Calories: 577kcal

Author: Deborah Rainford

Ingredients

4 cups pasta, cooked 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, *use chicken if you prefer a richer flavor.
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups packed, spinach
1 lemon, juice only

For serving

2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
parmesan cheese

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Be sure to cook the pasta al dente. Wash and slice the mushrooms. *Slice rather than quarter the mushrooms so that they cook quickly and evenly.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with some olive oil and sauté the mushrooms. Keep them in a single layer over the bottom of the pan, taking care not to crowd them.
Once the mushrooms are golden, reduce the heat to medium and add in the diced onion/ shallot and 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. Stir in the thyme leaves. Continue to simmer for about 5-7 minutes until the stock has reduced by about ¼.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the cream and add in the spinach. *The spinach will wilt from the heat of the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning and add the squeeze of lemon juice to lift and balance the flavor.
Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce and toss to ensure that all the noodles are coated. Pour in some of the reserved pasta water if you need to adjust the consistency of the sauce. Top with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired.

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 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. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or other spices to balance the flavors.

Nutrition

have you made this recipe? I'd love to see it! Tag me @salted_mint or use #saltedmint!