Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (about 3 cups) of your favorite pasta (I love penne or fettuccine, but spaghetti works too)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini, white button, or a mix—I usually grab whatever looks fresh at the market)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (because you can never have too much garlic)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (for a lighter option, try whole milk)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley if that’s what you have)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat
- Optional substitution: For a dairy-free version, swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the sliced mushrooms in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes to get a nice golden sear—this step is key for flavor!
- Stir the mushrooms and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until they’re tender and browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the heavy cream (or your chosen substitute) and stir to combine. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Turn the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the noodles are well coated with the sauce. If needed, add a little more pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side. Watch how fast this disappears—especially in my house!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Garlic Mushroom Pasta, recipe, cooking, food
