Garlic Mushroom Pasta
Garlic Mushroom Pasta is a creamy, comforting, and flavorful dish featuring earthy sautéed mushrooms and aromatic garlic blended into a rich cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and can be customized with different herbs, proteins, or pasta types to suit your preferences.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta
- 200g spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne (choose your favorite)
Mushrooms
- 250g fresh button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
Aromatics
- 3–4 garlic cloves, freshly minced
Dairy & Fat
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs & Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining—it will come in handy later for the sauce!
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Heat olive oil or butter in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms in a single layer to ensure they brown nicely without steaming. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown.
- Add the Garlic: Reduce heat slightly, then add minced garlic to the mushrooms. Stir frequently and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic or it will taste bitter.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour heavy cream into the pan and stir to combine with the garlic and mushrooms. Let the mixture simmer gently so it thickens slightly, typically around 3-5 minutes. If the sauce gets too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy mushroom sauce. Toss everything gently to make sure each strand or piece is coated with the luscious sauce. If needed, add a splash more pasta water to help the sauce cling perfectly.
- Finish with Cheese and Herbs: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Give the pasta one final toss to blend all those irresistible flavors evenly.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and mushrooms for the best flavor and aroma.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when sautéing mushrooms to ensure they brown and don’t steam.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen and thicken the sauce as needed.
- Simmer the cream sauce gently over low heat to avoid curdling or separating.
- Season gradually with salt and pepper to build balanced flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Garlic Mushroom Pasta, creamy mushroom pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, weeknight dinner, garlic pasta sauce