Description

The Best Creamy Mushroom Pasta is a comforting and indulgent dish combining tender mushrooms, silky heavy cream, and perfectly cooked pasta. This easy-to-make recipe offers rich, earthy flavors balanced with freshness from herbs, perfect for a cozy weeknight or impressing guests with restaurant-quality results.

Ingredients

Scale

Mushroom Mixture

12 oz mixed fresh mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, button)
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pasta

8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
Reserved pasta water (about 1 cup)

Garnish

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Clean and slice the mushrooms evenly. Mince the garlic and chop the fresh thyme and parsley so that everything is ready before cooking.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
Sauté Mushrooms: Heat butter and olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms in a single layer and let them caramelize without stirring too often until golden brown. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently and let the cream simmer until it thickens slightly. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is rich and velvety. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the mushroom sauce and toss to coat each strand thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen it to desired consistency.
Finish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta for a burst of color and freshness before serving.

Notes

Use fresh mushrooms for the best texture and flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the pan to allow proper caramelization of mushrooms.
Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
Grate your own Parmesan cheese for better melting and fresher taste.
Thin the cream with milk or broth if it becomes too thick for a smoother sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 16 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 14 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: creamy mushroom pasta, easy mushroom pasta, vegetarian pasta, comfort food, creamy pasta sauce