This creamy mushroom pasta is rich, comforting, and full of flavor. The combination of earthy mushrooms, a creamy sauce, and pasta makes for a perfect meal, ideal for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (such as fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 oz (340 g) mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: Extra grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic
In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Cook the Mushrooms
Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and become golden brown.
4. Add the Broth and Cream
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly. Then, add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and let the sauce thicken, about 3-4 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add some of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
5. Season
Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and dried thyme or Italian seasoning to taste. Stir well to combine the flavors.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the drained pasta to the pan with the creamy mushroom sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water, a little at a time, to loosen it up.
7. Serve
Serve the creamy mushroom pasta in bowls, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Tips
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine when cooking the mushrooms or swap out the heavy cream for sour cream for a tangy twist.
- Feel free to add protein to the dish, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or bacon.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure the broth is vegetable-based and skip any meat options.
This Creamy Mushroom Pasta is a simple yet luxurious dish that’s sure to satisfy. Enjoy your creamy, mushroom-packed meal!
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Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe
Description
This creamy mushroom pasta is rich, comforting, and full of flavor. The combination of earthy mushrooms, a creamy sauce, and pasta makes for a perfect meal, ideal for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (such as fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 oz (340 g) mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: Extra grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic
In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Cook the Mushrooms
Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and become golden brown.
4. Add the Broth and Cream
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly. Then, add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and let the sauce thicken, about 3-4 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add some of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine when cooking the mushrooms or swap out the heavy cream for sour cream for a tangy twist.
- Feel free to add protein to the dish, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or bacon.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure the broth is vegetable-based and skip any meat options.