Description
A quick and flavorful mushroom pasta recipe perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Featuring tender sautéed mushrooms and a creamy Parmesan sauce, this dish uses a combination of pasta types and simple ingredients to create a delicious, hearty meal in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200g / 7 oz short pasta like orecchiette, penne, macaroni
- 160g / 6 oz long pasta like spaghetti, fettucine
Mushroom Sauce
- 400g / 14 oz mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cm / 1/5″ thick
- 50g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or 1/4 cup store-bought grated)
Finishing
- Parsley, finely chopped
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add both the short and long pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
- Sauté the mushrooms: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil and half of the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until they release their moisture and turn golden brown, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add garlic and seasoning: Add the finely minced garlic to the mushrooms and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Create the sauce: Lower the heat to medium, then add the remaining butter to the skillet. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Adjust the consistency by adding more pasta water if necessary.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Toss well to combine and ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy mushroom Parmesan sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle the dish with finely chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Note 1: You can combine different pasta shapes for texture and mouthfeel. Make sure to adjust cooking times if using pasta with very different cooking times.
- Note 2: Use fresh, firm mushrooms like cremini or button mushrooms for best taste and texture.
- For a richer taste, substitute half the butter with heavy cream if desired.
- If you want to add protein, grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp complement this dish well.
