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.
Harriet Emily says
This is beautiful Dannii! Creamy pasta dishes are my favourite, especially with mushrooms! The photos are mouthwatering too! Pinned!
Nadia says
This would be perfect for Valentine's day dinner :) We never go out either, it's much cosier and more intimate eating at home anyway.
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
That cooker sounds amazing! I love garlic, and mushrooms, and pasta, so this dish is a winner to me!
Lauren king says
I'm definetly going to need to make this mushrooms are my ultimate favourite!!
Zoe says
Wow that pasta looks delicious! It is making me hungry lol
Kristina says
If it's pasta it's a winner in my books ;) Love this recipe! x
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen says
This is a delicious pasta dish. I love creamy mushroom pasta and I would go for wholemeal too. It fills you up much more and once you get used to wholemeal white pasta won't taste of much.
A lovely recipe for the weekend :-)
[email protected] says
I especially like that you have incorporated two glasses of wine into this delicious recipe Dannii. :D
It's reminding me of the lovely white Lynne and I have got chilling in the fridge for this evening.
Hope you have a great weekend!
The London Mum says
Quite possibly one of my favourite dishes, I love mushrooms!
Laura ~ RYG says
This dish looks absolutely delicious! I love how mushrooms beef up a meal without beefing me up =)
StressedMum says
Sounds delicious, am definitely going to be making this I love pasta x
Nayna Kanabar says
What a delicious bowl of goodness.Perfect with aside salad.
Jade Wright says
Oh wow! This looks amazing and so easy - pasta is one of my fav things to cook up. I will definitely be bookmarking this to try tomorrow night! Thank you lady!
New follower xx
Dina says
Wow - that is a lot of garlic!
Martine says
Greek yoghurt in pasta? I have never heard of that before. But I trust you ;) Maybe some asparagus would be good in this too?