Silky Pasta with Mushrooms and Cream Recipe: Comfort in a Bowl

Crafting a delightful pasta with mushrooms and cream becomes an art of culinary simplicity that anyone can master.

Earthy mushrooms dance with silky cream, creating a symphony of flavors on your plate.

Weeknight dinner solutions rarely look this elegant and taste this amazing.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this dish comes together without complicated techniques.

Rich, velvety sauce coats each pasta strand, promising pure comfort in every bite.

Seasonal mushrooms add depth and character to this classic Italian-inspired creation.

We promise this recipe will become your new go-to meal when you want something special yet effortless.

What Makes Mushroom Cream Pasta Irresistible

• Whip Up Quickly: This pasta dish comes together in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: The recipe allows flexible ingredient swaps like different mushroom varieties or adding extra proteins such as chicken or shrimp to suit personal tastes and dietary preferences.
• Comfort Food Delight: Creamy, rich, and satisfying, this mushroom pasta delivers classic comfort food vibes that will please both kids and adults, creating a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will enjoy.
• Impress Without Stress: Despite looking and tasting gourmet, the recipe requires minimal cooking skills, allowing home cooks of all levels to create a restaurant-quality dish with simple techniques.

Ingredients That Bring Mushrooms & Cream Together

• Pasta: A staple ingredient that serves as the base of this creamy mushroom dish.
• Mushrooms: Earthy and flavorful fungi that provide a rich, savory element to the recipe.
• Heavy Cream: A luxurious dairy product that creates a smooth and velvety sauce.

• Parmesan Cheese: A hard Italian cheese that adds a salty and nutty depth to the sauce.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that brings aromatic warmth to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the overall flavor profile.

• Olive Oil: A cooking fat that helps sauté the mushrooms and provides a subtle fruity undertone.
• Fresh Parsley: An optional herb that adds a fresh, bright garnish to the finished dish.

How to Cook Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions.

Once al dente, drain thoroughly and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Mushroom Magic

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and become golden brown and tender, approximately 5-7 minutes.

Step 3: Infuse with Garlic Flavor

Add minced garlic to the mushrooms and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.

Step 4: Create Luscious Cream Sauce

Pour in heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Reduce heat and let the sauce thicken, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Enhance with Cheese

Introduce Parmesan cheese into the creamy sauce.

Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, stirring until the cheese melts completely.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet.

Gently toss and coat every strand with the rich, creamy mushroom sauce, ensuring even distribution.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Optional: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and sauce is creamy.

Pro Tips for Smooth Mushroom Pasta

• Choose fresh, firm mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for richer, deeper flavor and better texture.
• Simmer cream sauce slowly to achieve perfect thickness, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
• Grate Parmesan fresh and add gradually, stirring continuously to ensure smooth, even distribution throughout the sauce.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining to help sauce cling better to noodles, creating a more cohesive dish.
• Chop parsley just before serving to maximize fresh flavor and vibrant green color as a final garnish.

Delicious Variations of Mushroom Cream Pasta

• Vegan Mushroom Pasta: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. Swap olive oil with avocado oil for a different flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Lighter Cream Sauce: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or low-fat milk. Add vegetable broth to maintain sauce consistency and reduce calories.
• Spicy Herb Variation: Incorporate red pepper flakes for heat. Add fresh thyme and rosemary to enhance the mushroom's earthy flavor. Include crispy pancetta for extra depth.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Mushroom Pasta

• Rustic Dinner Companion: Pair this creamy mushroom pasta with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette for balanced freshness.
• Wine Lover's Delight: Complement the rich sauce with a glass of dry white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio to enhance the mushroom's earthy flavors.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the pasta with grilled chicken strips or sautéed shrimp to transform this dish into a more substantial meal that satisfies hearty appetites.
• Veggie Boost: Sprinkle some roasted asparagus or sautéed spinach on top to add extra nutrients and create beautiful color contrast against the creamy sauce.

Storage Advice for Mushroom Cream Pasta

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water or cream to prevent dryness. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of cream or milk to revive the sauce's creamy texture. Stir gently to prevent sticking and maintain pasta's original consistency.
• Freeze pasta in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve flavor and texture.

FAQs

• What type of mushrooms work best for this recipe?

White button or cremini mushrooms are ideal, but you can also use shiitake or porcini for more depth of flavor.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, fettuccine, linguine, or penne are great alternatives that will work well with this creamy mushroom sauce.

• Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?

Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, and use less Parmesan cheese to reduce the overall calories.

• How can I add more protein to this dish?

Grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy pancetta can be excellent protein additions to make the pasta more substantial.

Pasta with Mushrooms and Cream Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy mushroom pasta brings together earthy porcini and silky sauce in a comforting Italian-inspired dish. Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs elevate this simple yet elegant meal you’ll want to savor slowly.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning and Garnish:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, approximately 350°F.
3. Sauté mushrooms until they release moisture and become golden brown, stirring occasionally, around 5-6 minutes.
4. Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until fragrant and lightly golden, about 45-60 seconds.
5. Gently pour heavy cream into the pan, allowing it to simmer and gradually reduce, stirring intermittently until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, roughly 4-5 minutes.
6. Incorporate grated Parmesan cheese, whisking smoothly to create a cohesive, creamy consistency.
7. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste.
8. Fold cooked pasta into the mushroom cream sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
9. Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with finely chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant finish and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Choose firm, fresh mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for the best texture and rich flavor profile.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged for a more authentic and robust taste.
• Adjust cream sauce consistency by adding pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick during cooking.
• Accommodate dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 438 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg