A creamy and delicious pasta meal on the table in under 15 minutes. This Creamy Mushroom Pasta not only tastes far more indulgent than it actually is, but it's quick and simple to make.
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Mushrooms have a really meaty texture, so they are the perfect ingredient for a vegetarian comforting meal. Mushrooms and garlic are a delicious flavor combination and a winner when it comes to a quick and easy pasta dish that packs a punch in the taste department.
So easy, but tastes like something you would get at a fancy Italian restaurant - perfect for a busy weeknight meal but impressive enough for date night.
If you are looking for other easy pasta recipe to try, then why not try our tasty Sardine Pasta, easy Leftover Chicken Pasta, super quick Cream Cheese Pasta or our comforting Vegetable Pasta Bake?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pasta - We used spaghetti in this recipe, but any pasta will work and it's a good way to use up what you have.
- Shallots - These are the base of the creamy mushroom pasta. They have a nice sweetness to them, but you could use a small brown onion instead.
- Garlic - All pasta is better with garlic in our opinion. Freshly crushed garlic cloves are best, however you could save some time by using crushed garlic in a jar or frozen garlic.
- Mushrooms - The key to mushroom dishes is using a variety of mushrooms for different textures and flavors. If you want to keep this recipe budget friendly, then stick to the cheapest kind of mushroom. But, if you want to take this to the next level, use a mixture such as button, mini Portobello, shiitake and oyster. Remember that mushrooms shrink when cooking, so you want to use lots of them. Make sure you have a pan bit enough for all the mushrooms though, because if you overcrowd them then won't get that nice golden colour.
- Oil - A good quality olive oil.
- Parmesan cheese (or alternative) - This adds to the creaminess and also has a nice nutty flavor.
- Creme fraiche - This is where the creamy sauce comes from. For the most flavor, use full fat. However, you can use reduced fat creme fraiche. Mushrooms have a naturally creamy texture anyway, so this is a creamy dish that is still nutritious too.
- Lemon - This adds a nice freshness to the sauce.
- Black pepper - Season to taste.
- Parsley - This herb goes really well with mushrooms. However, you could also swap it for chives which have a nice onion flavor that compliments the mushrooms.
- Pasta water - This is our "secret" ingredient in every pasta dish and something that every Italian uses in their cooking. Reserve a little bit of the starchy pasta water to makes the sauce really silky smooth and cling to the pasta. It also loosens the sauce up a little, helping it go further.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Mushroom Pasta
- Step 1: Add the spaghetti to a pan of boiling water and simmer for 12 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the shallots, garlic and mushrooms and gently cook for 3 minutes over a medium heat.
- Step 3: Stir in the creme fraiche, Parmesan, pasta water and lemon zest.
- Step 4: Mix well and simmer for a minute.
- Step 5: Drain the pasta and top with mushroom sauce, black pepper and parsley.
Dannii's Top Tips
- If you want to add some extra protein, you could grill some chicken, chop it up and stir it into the finished sauce.
- Add some extra greens by stirring in some spinach a couple of minutes before the sauce is cooked.
- Add some extra vegetables by adding some frozen peas or sweetcorn at the same time as cooking the pasta.
- A little bit of truffle oil drizzled over the finished dish adds loads of extra flavor and makes it a bit more special.
- For an extra rich flavor, add a splash of white wine - Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio go best with mushrooms.
- Make this recipe gluten free by swapping the spaghetti for your favorite gluten free pasta.
- Use a variety of mushrooms to add plenty of different textures and flavors.
- This dish is best made from fresh as the sauce can separate when defrosted and reheated.
- When using Parmesan, try to grate it fresh rather than using a bag of pre-grated cheese, as you will have a much stronger flavor.
- To make this mushroom pasta even quicker, use some fresh pasta which is ready in a few minutes.
- If you like your food spicy, then add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes on top before serving.
- Add a splash of olive oil to the pan before serving for an extra boost of flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Everyone know that garlic bread and pasta are a match made in heaven. Carby heaven!
Either buy some ready made, or make your own easy garlic bread by cutting up some French stick and spreading it with a mix of butter, crushed garlic and dried herbs. Then pop it in the oven for 10 minutes. Why not try our Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe.
Storage
Store: This is best eaten fresh, however if you do have leftovers then you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freeze: This isn't the best dish to freeze as the sauce can separate when defrosted and reheated. But, it's really quick and simple to make, so it is best made from fresh.
Reheat: You have to be really careful when reheating this creamy mushroom pasta, as you don't have to sauce to separate. Heat it on low and add a little milk to loosen the sauce up.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you add a bit too much of the pasta water and your sauce is too thin, then carry on cooking it on a low heat for a little longer, until it has thickened up.
Mushrooms are a good ingredient for a vegan pasta dish and this is easy to make dairy-free by using an oat based creme fraiche and a vegan Parmesan alternative. A sprinkle of nutritional yeast would be really good on the vegan version of this.
Adding starchy pasta water (just 60-100ml is enough) to a fat like creme fraiche will create an emulsion and this gives a really silky smooth sauce and helps it cling to the pasta. Make sure you scoop out the water just before draining, as this ensures that it is nice and starchy.
As a general rule, we go for 75g (2.5oz) of dried pasta per person.
More Mushroom Recipes
If you've tried this healthy mushroom pasta recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
- 150 g (5.25 oz) Whole wheat pasta
- 3 Shallots
- 4 Garlic clove - crushed
- 250 g (9 oz) Mushrooms - sliced (any kind)
- 1 teaspoon Olive oil
- 30 g (1 oz) Parmesan
- 6 tablespoon Reduced fat crème fraîche
- 2 tablespoon Fresh parsley - chopped
- 0.5 Lemon - (zest only)
- Ground black pepper
- Fresh parsley - (to serve)
Instructions
- Add 150 g Whole wheat pasta to a pan of boiling water and simmer for 12 minutes.
- Heat 1 teaspoon Olive oil in a frying pan and add 3 Shallots, 4 Garlic clove and 250 g Mushrooms and gently cook for 3 minutes.
- Stir in 6 tablespoon Reduced fat crème fraîche, 30 g Parmesan, 2 tablespoon Fresh parsley and zest of 0.5 Lemon. Stir and simmer for a minutes.
- Drain the pasta and top with mushroom sauce, Ground black pepper and Fresh parsley.
Recipe Tips
- If you want to add some extra protein, you could grill some chicken, chop it up and stir it into the finished sauce.
- Add some extra greens by stirring in some spinach a couple of minutes before the sauce is cooked.
- Add some extra vegetables by adding some frozen peas or sweetcorn at the same time as cooking the pasta.
- A little bit of truffle oil drizzled over the finished dish adds loads of extra flavor and makes it a bit more special.
- For an extra rich flavor, add a splash of white wine.
- Make this recipe gluten free by swapping the spaghetti for your favorite gluten free pasta.
- Use a variety of mushrooms to add plenty of different textures and flavors.
- This dish is best made from fresh as the sauce can separate when defrosted and reheated.
- When using Parmesan, try to grate it fresh rather than using a bag of pre-grated cheese, as you will have a much stronger flavor.
- To make this mushroom pasta even quicker, use some fresh pasta which is ready in a few minutes.
- If you like your food spicy, then add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes on top before serving.
- Add a splash of olive oil to the pan before serving for an extra boost of flavor.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Max Plessers says
I have been searching for a great vegetarian meal for a long time, have tried a lot of recipes and after this one I can finally say that I had an awesome vegetarian meal!
I am very busy these days, that’s why I especially like recipes like these because they are very easy and convenient to prepare, it takes just 15 minutes.
I was also pleased by the clear instructions of the recipe because of your step by step explanation.
Because I liked the recipe that much, I wanted to prepare it for my family. Not everyone likes the vegetarian kitchen that much, but I wanted to convince them with this recipe and it was definitely a success! Everyone was surprised of the good taste.
Thank you for your inspiration! I can totally recommend to everybody who wants to try!
Max Plessers
Dannii says
I am so glad you enjoyed it - it's one of our favourites too.
Zeynep Agdere says
I love the recipe. I'm a pasta lover, especially creamy pasta. I love how you used different types of mushrooms. I've made this dish myself a few times, but only with one type of mushroom. I always felt like something was missing whenever I made it, now I finally know what it is, thanks to you. I will definitely try it with a big variety of mushrooms next time, and with next time I mean tonight.. I love this recipe because it's super easy and very quick. I will definitely get creative and add some chicken. You can't go wrong with creamy pasta and chicken.
Dannii says
The variety of mushrooms really makes such a difference to the dish.
Kim Lijzenga says
I am a pasta lover myself, that's why I tried this recipe. I really liked this recipe! The mushrooms give the pasta an innovative taste. It is definitely not an easy recipe, but certainly worth making.
While making this recipe I added shrimps, this was my best idea ever. This gives you a fresh taste of the mushrooms and a heavier taste of the shrimp. These 2 flavours go very well together. But actually you should not even add anything because this recipe is already super tasty.
So,now I know what I'm going to cook tonight!
Dannii says
I am so glad you enjoyed it. I never would have thought to add shrimp, but I am definitely going to try that next time.
Smeets Ruben says
I love pasta very much and I have a big book with many different recipes in it, I'm glad that I can add another one!! The mushrooms make the pasta, together with the herbs, absolutely complete. Although it is quite a lot of work, it's definitely worth. Everyone should give it a try! I also think that I find a way to make it even better ;-). Onions and mushrooms are often used togehter in recipes so why not here? Of course you don't have to do this if you don't like onions, but it is just a tip. So now I made myself hungry with talking about it, and I think that I already know what to make!
Customcurtains says
Pasta is my favorite. Your pictures looks soooooooooooo good! Can't wait to try it by myself!!
James says
Tried this the other night, and I was so happy I did! Love the recipe! Your blog is a great source for these, really appreciate you sharing these amazing recipes with us. Pairing meals like this with the right stuff is how I lost 40lbs in 3 months. Truly, love the work, keep it up!
Munchies & Munchkins says
Oh I could eat this right now!! Love mushrooms and this is a great healthy take on the usual creamy, fat laden mushroom dishes.
Sarah says
This recipe looks and sounds amazing, defiantly need to try this and with it being healthy AND under half an hour to cook, it's certainly something I need to try. Thank you for sharing. xx