Description
Creamy garlic mushroom pasta blends earthy fungi with rich, velvety sauce. Home cooks can savor this Italian-inspired comfort dish that brings robust flavors to the dinner table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- In a spacious skillet, melt butter and olive oil together over medium heat until the butter becomes frothy and slightly golden.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, allowing it to release its aromatic essence and turn golden, about 45-60 seconds.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet, spreading them evenly and cooking undisturbed for 4-5 minutes to develop a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Gently pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine with mushrooms and creating a silky, luxurious sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to melt and create a smooth consistency. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- If the sauce appears too dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a perfect, clingy texture.
- Transfer cooked pasta directly into the skillet, tossing meticulously to ensure each strand is lavishly coated with the creamy mushroom sauce.
- Plate immediately, garnishing with finely chopped fresh parsley and an optional sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese for added depth of flavor.
Notes
- Choose pasta shapes with ridges or curves to better hold the creamy sauce, like fusilli or penne.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, keeping the rich flavor intact.
- When sautéing mushrooms, avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure they brown and develop deep, caramelized edges instead of steaming.
- For a protein boost, add grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, or sautéed shrimp to transform this into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 523 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 256 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 86 mg