Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Hey food lovers!  If you’re craving something cozy and comforting, this creamy mushroom pasta is just what you need. The rich, velvety sauce combined with earthy mushrooms and pasta creates a dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Plus, it’s super easy to make, so you can whip it up on a busy day or for a weekend treat. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked! Let’s dive right in.

Method

Cook the Pasta

Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to salt the water generously this is your first chance to season the dish. When the pasta is done, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. This pasta water is like liquid gold for adjusting your sauce later, so don’t forget it!

Sauté the Mushroom

 In a large sauté pan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the sliced crimini mushrooms to the pan. It’s okay to crowd the mushrooms a bit in the pan, as they’ll release moisture and cook down. Stir them to coat in the butter and oil, then let them cook undisturbed for about 6 minutes. After that, stir the mushrooms and let them continue cooking for another few minutes, stirring occasionally. Repeat this process until the mushrooms have released all of their moisture and are golden brown with a slightly crispy texture. This step is key to getting those rich, savory flavors that make the dish so delicious!

Add the Aromatics

Once the mushrooms are cooked and browned, add the garlic, shallot, thyme, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes. The garlic should become fragrant, and the shallots should soften and turn translucent. Be sure to watch the garlic closely to avoid burning it, as it can turn bitter if overcooked.

Deglaze the Pan

Now, it’s time to deglaze the pan! Pour in the dry white wine, using a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up any delicious bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. This will help incorporate all those caramelized flavors into the sauce. Let the wine cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off and the liquid to reduce slightly.

Make the Sauce

After the wine has cooked off, add the vegetable stock and mascarpone cheese to the pan. Stir well until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Keep the heat on low and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, thickening up as it cooks. This will give the sauce a rich, velvety texture that will coat the pasta perfectly.

Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the creamy mushroom sauce. Toss everything together to ensure each noodle is coated in the delicious sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking.

Serve

Once everything is combined, serve the creamy mushroom pasta hot, topped with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. This dish is best enjoyed immediately while the sauce is fresh and creamy!Hey food lovers!  If you’re craving something cozy and comforting, this creamy mushroom pasta is just what you need. The rich, velvety sauce combined with earthy mushrooms and pasta creates a dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Plus, it’s super easy to make, so you can whip it up on a busy day or for a weekend treat. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked! Let’s dive right in.

Method

Cook the Pasta

Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to salt the water generously this is your first chance to season the dish. When the pasta is done, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. This pasta water is like liquid gold for adjusting your sauce later, so don’t forget it!

Sauté the Mushroom

 In a large sauté pan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the sliced crimini mushrooms to the pan. It’s okay to crowd the mushrooms a bit in the pan, as they’ll release moisture and cook down. Stir them to coat in the butter and oil, then let them cook undisturbed for about 6 minutes. After that, stir the mushrooms and let them continue cooking for another few minutes, stirring occasionally. Repeat this process until the mushrooms have released all of their moisture and are golden brown with a slightly crispy texture. This step is key to getting those rich, savory flavors that make the dish so delicious!

Add the Aromatics

Once the mushrooms are cooked and browned, add the garlic, shallot, thyme, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes. The garlic should become fragrant, and the shallots should soften and turn translucent. Be sure to watch the garlic closely to avoid burning it, as it can turn bitter if overcooked.

Deglaze the Pan

Now, it’s time to deglaze the pan! Pour in the dry white wine, using a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up any delicious bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. This will help incorporate all those caramelized flavors into the sauce. Let the wine cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off and the liquid to reduce slightly.

Make the Sauce

After the wine has cooked off, add the vegetable stock and mascarpone cheese to the pan. Stir well until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Keep the heat on low and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, thickening up as it cooks. This will give the sauce a rich, velvety texture that will coat the pasta perfectly.

Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the creamy mushroom sauce. Toss everything together to ensure each noodle is coated in the delicious sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking.

Serve

Once everything is combined, serve the creamy mushroom pasta hot, topped with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. This dish is best enjoyed immediately while the sauce is fresh and creamy!

Necessary Tools 

  • Large sauté pan
  • Large pot for pasta
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Strainer (for pasta)
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring spoons and cups

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Recipe by Justin SelkCuisine: American, BritishDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes
Total time

30

minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 box pasta

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 16 oz crimini mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 shallot, sliced thin

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme

  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

  • 1 cup vegetable stock

  • 1 cup mascarpone cheese

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • Cook the Pasta  Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Don’t forget to save a little pasta water for later it’s magic when you need to adjust the sauce!
  • Sauté the Mushrooms  In a large sauté pan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and make sure they’re crowded in the pan that’s a good thing! Stir them around to coat in the butter and oil, and then let them cook undisturbed for about 6 minutes. Stir and cook again for another few minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture and turn golden brown.
  • Add the Aromatics  Now, toss in the garlic, shallot, and spices (thyme and red pepper flakes). Stir them around and cook for a couple of minutes until the garlic smells amazing and the shallots soften up.
  • Deglaze the Pan  Add the white wine to the pan and scrape up any yummy bits stuck to the bottom. Let the wine cook for 1-2 minutes so the alcohol cooks off.
  • Make the Sauce  Pour in the vegetable stock and mascarpone cheese. Stir everything together until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. Keep the heat low and let the sauce simmer until it’s nice and creamy.
  • Combine Pasta and Sauce  Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss it all together. If the sauce is too thick, you can add some reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Taste it, and if needed, adjust the seasoning with a bit of salt and pepper.
  • Serve  Serve this creamy mushroom pasta hot, topped with some freshly grated Parmesan if you like.

Notes

  • When sautéing the mushrooms, don’t overcrowd the pan too early. If the mushrooms are too packed, they’ll steam instead of brown. Give them enough space to crisp up and get that lovely golden color.
  • Keep an eye on the wine when deglazing it should cook for only a couple of minutes, so the alcohol doesn’t overpower the dish.
  • When mixing in the mascarpone cheese, be sure to stir well so it melts evenly into the sauce and makes everything creamy and dreamy.

Serving Suggestions 

  • Serve this dish with a side of crispy garlic bread or a fresh green salad for the perfect meal.
  • For an extra boost, add some grilled chicken or crispy bacon on top!
  • Pair it with a glass of your favorite dry white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to really elevate the flavors.

Fun Fact 

 Did you know that crimini mushrooms are just baby portobello mushrooms? They have a firmer texture and a more intense flavor, making them perfect for a dish like this where mushrooms really shine!

Conclusion 

There you have it creamy mushroom pasta that’s rich, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying! It’s perfect for any occasion, whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing guests. Trust me, you won’t regret adding this dish to your recipe collection. Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

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