Creamy Mushroom Pasta: The Perfect Weeknight Comfort Food

Creamy Mushroom Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. With its rich, velvety sauce and earthy mushroom flavor, this dish is perfect for a cozy night in or an impressive dinner party, and the best part is that it takes no more than 30 minutes to make!

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About This Recipe

There’s something magical about the combination of pasta and mushrooms. The tender, meaty texture of mushrooms pairs beautifully with a creamy, garlic-infused sauce that clings to every strand of pasta. The result is a dish that’s both hearty and elegant. You can use any mushrooms you like, from button and cremini to shiitake or a wild mix, to create a flavor profile that suits your taste.

One of the best things about this recipe is how simple it is to prepare. With just a handful of pantry staples—like garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, and pasta—you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. It’s a versatile dish that can be customized with herbs, or even a sprinkle of chili flakes for a bit of heat.

What’s more, Creamy Mushroom Pasta is a dish that brings people together. Serve it as a comforting family dinner or as the centerpiece of a dinner party. Pair it with a crisp green salad and a slice of garlic bread, and you’ve got a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What You Need To Make This Recipe

Mushrooms: The star ingredient! Mushrooms add a deep, earthy, and meaty flavor that makes this dish so satisfying. Use cremini, button, shiitake, or a mix of wild mushrooms for variety.

Butter: Provides richness and helps sauté the mushrooms to enhance their flavor. Substitutes: Use vegan butter, ghee, or just stick with olive oil for a lighter option.

Olive oil: Adds a touch of fruity flavor and prevents the butter from burning during the sautéing process. Substitutes: Any neutral cooking oil like avocado oil or vegetable oil.

Pasta: Use any pasta of your choice, including gluten-free or whole wheat options.

Garlic: Infuses the sauce with a robust, aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with mushrooms. Substitutes: Use garlic powder (1/4 tsp per clove) or shallots for a milder taste.

Onion: Adds a touch of sweetness and depth to the sauce. Substitutes: Swap with shallots for a more delicate flavor or leeks for a sweeter profile.

Heavy cream: Creates the creamy, luscious texture of the sauce. Substitutes: Use half-and-half for a lighter option or full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative.

Parmesan (or Mozarella): Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty flavor, while mozzarella offers creaminess. Both enhance the sauce’s richness.

Salt & pepper: can be added as per your taste.

How To Make Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Step 1: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, strain the pasta reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. While the pasta cooks, in a large pan, combine butter and olive oil on medium-high heat. Add in chopped mushrooms and cook them for 8 minutes stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Add in finely chopped onion and garlic, and saute for 3-4 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Step 3: Next add heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Next add in the boiled pasta, grated parmesan (or mozzarella), and 1/2 cup of pasta water. Give everything a good mix.

Step 5: Once the pasta is nicely coated with the sauce and is glossy, turn off the heat, and serve with more grated parmesan (or mozzarella) and finely chopped parsley.

How To Store Mushroom Pasta

To store creamy mushroom pasta, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk, cream, or water to loosen the sauce and maintain its creamy consistency, as it tends to thicken when chilled. For best results, reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently to prevent the sauce from splitting. While this pasta is best enjoyed fresh, these storage tips will help you savor any leftovers without compromising the flavor or texture!

mushroom pasta 2 — Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Pro Tips

Choose the Right Pasta: Long pasta like fettuccine or linguine works best for creamy sauces, but penne or rigatoni can also hold the sauce beautifully.
Don’t Skimp on the Mushrooms: Sauté them until golden brown to enhance their flavor and texture. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming.
Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce a robust flavor that complements the mushrooms perfectly.
Save Pasta Water: Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining. Adding it to the sauce helps achieve a silky, restaurant-style consistency.
Finish with Parmesan: Grate fresh Parmesan over the pasta for added richness and depth.

mushroom pasta 3 — Creamy Mushroom Pasta

FAQ’s

Can I make this dish vegan?

Yes! Replace the heavy cream with coconut cream or a cashew-based cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Can I use gluten-free pasta?

Absolutely! This recipe works with any pasta type, including gluten-free options.

What other vegetables can I add?

Spinach, kale, or roasted cherry tomatoes make excellent additions to this dish.

Can I make this ahead of time?

The sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Cook the pasta fresh for the best texture, and mix it with the reheated sauce just before serving.

mushroom pasta 4 — Creamy Mushroom Pasta

If you love pasta and quick meals, then you need to try out my Roasted Red Pepper Pasta! It is quick, easy, and delicious!

Or if you’re looking for a bread recipe to make as a side dish to pair with your pasta or soups try out my No-Knead Homemade Focaccia bread, or my Garlic Spinach & Cheese Rolls!

Check out my YouTube Channel for detailed recipe tutorials! Made one of my recipes? Tag me on Instagram, I would love to see your creations and feature them on my stories!

Recipe Card

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 15 min (not including time to boil pasta)

Total Time: 25 min

Course: Pasta

Servings: 4

Calories: 612kcal

Ingredients

300g mushrooms
100g unsalted butter (~1/2 cup)
2 tbsp olive oil
4-5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion (or shallot), finely chopped
240ml heavy cream (1 cup)
300g – 350g pasta, cooked to al dente
120ml pasta water (1/2 cup)
3 tbsp parmesan(or mozzarella), grated
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Equipment/Utensils

2 large pots
Sieve, to strain pasta
wooden spoon or spatula
Chopping board and knife
Grater

Instructions

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Strain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
While the pasta cooks, heat butter and olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped mushrooms and sauté for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened.
Add finely chopped onion and garlic to the pan with the mushrooms. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly.
Add the cooked pasta, grated parmesan (or mozzarella), and the reserved pasta water to the pan. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce and glossy.
Turn off the heat and serve immediately. Top with additional grated parmesan (or mozzarella) and finely chopped parsley for garnish. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 612.63kcal

Total Fat: 40.99g

Carbs: 50.3g

Sugars: 4.75g

Protein: 12.58g

Sodium: 212.98mg

Fiber: 2.83g

** Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, cooking methods, portion sizes, and more. **