Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 8 oz fresh cremini or button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Pasta and Dairy
- 8 oz pasta of choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fats and Oils
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Clean and slice the mushrooms evenly for consistent cooking. Mince the garlic finely to maximize flavor release once it hits the pan.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining to help adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic: Heat the butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until golden and tender, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic near the end to prevent burning and ensure the aroma infuses the mushrooms.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the mushroom mixture. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce, tossing gently to coat each strand thoroughly. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired creaminess is reached.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a fresh burst of flavor and color. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure mushrooms brown properly and develop deeper flavor.
- Reserve pasta water as it helps marry the sauce and pasta and adjust thickness.
- Use fresh garlic for a brighter, more vibrant aroma compared to pre-minced garlic.
- Simmer the sauce on low heat to prevent the cream from curdling and maintain creaminess.
- Grate Parmesan cheese freshly for better melting and sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: garlic mushroom pasta, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta, easy weeknight dinner, mushroom pasta recipe