There is nothing like a Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta, where tender pasta meets a creamy garlic parmesan cream sauce. Each bite is a symphony of earthy mushrooms and rich, aromatic garlic, making this dish a true culinary masterpiece.
Jump to:
- Here's Why You'll Love this Dish
- Ingredients You'll Need to make Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
- How to Make Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
- Possible Ingredient Substitutions
- Variations of Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
- Meal Prep Tips
- Equipment
- Storage
- Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
- Other Main Dishes You'll Love
- Recipe Details
- PIN it for later here
- Food Safety
- Comments
This was inspired by a dish called Pasta alla Norma, where you use sauteed eggplant to create a delicious sun-kissed eggplant sauce. This dish for creamy parmesan mushroom pasta pairs well with easy to make Puff Pastry Garlic Sticks.
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Here's Why You'll Love this Dish
- Flavorful Comfort: This dish offers the ultimate comfort food experience with its creamy, garlic-kissed sauce that coats each pasta strand. The combination of mushrooms and garlic creates a flavor profile that's both rich and comforting, perfect for satisfying those comfort food cravings.
- Versatile Elegance: Whether you're preparing a quick weeknight dinner, a romantic date night meal, or a dinner party for guests, this pasta recipe fits the bill. Its versatility makes it suitable for various occasions, from casual to special, without sacrificing the gourmet taste.
- Mushroom Magic: Mushroom enthusiasts and food lovers alike will appreciate the starring role of sautéed mushrooms in this dish. They add an earthy depth and umami richness that elevates the overall taste, making it a must-try for mushroom aficionados.
- Simple to Prepare: Despite its gourmet appeal, this recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare. With clear instructions, it's accessible to both novice and experienced cooks, allowing anyone to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of their own home.
Ingredients You'll Need to make Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
To make a rigatoni with with mushrooms and a creamy garlic parmesan sauce you'll need ingredients like: mushrooms, onions, wine, olive oil, seasonings, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, butter, pasta and basil leaves.
Button Mushrooms are the star of this dish and bring a nice earthy tone to the dish.
Dry White Wine turns this dish up a notch by adding a sweet and savory flavor to the sauce.
Garlic, Heavy Cream and Parmesan are the primary ingredients to the garlic cream sauce that tops the mushroom pasta and give it a flavor boost.
Basil Leaves are optional, but fresh herbs always accentuate a dish with its aromatics.
See recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
Start by sauteing chopped garlic in olive oil in a frying pan until fragrant. Add sliced onions and cook until translucent.
Add sliced mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Let cook until tender. Add white wine and let simmer.
Combine butter, cream and parmesan cheese in a separate small saucer and cook until slightly thickened. Add cream sauce to pan with mushrooms. Turn off heat and set aside.
Cook pasta al dente as per manufacturers instructions.
Using a spider spoon, scoop pasta out into pan with creamy garlic mushroom sauce.
Possible Ingredient Substitutions
Here are some ideas for ingredients you can substitute to make this dish fit a certain diet.
- Mushroom Varieties: While this recipe typically features white button mushrooms, you can experiment with different mushroom varieties like cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms to vary the flavor and texture.
- Pasta Type: Feel free to use your favorite pasta shape or a gluten-free alternative if needed. Linguine, fettuccine, or penne can work well.
- Cream: Instead of heavy cream, you can opt for half-and-half, whole milk, or a dairy-free milk like almond or coconut milk to create a lighter version of the dish.
- Butter: For a dairy-free option, use olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute.
- Garlic: Adjust the amount of garlic to suit your taste. You can also use roasted garlic for a milder flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: If you prefer a dairy-free option, use nutritional yeast or a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
- Fresh Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to enhance the flavor profile.
The perfect recipe isn't that far away. I'd love to know how you substituted ingredients to fit your dietary needs. Drop a comment below and let me know!
Variations of Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
Here are some variations you can consider when making this dish:
- Spinach and Mushroom: Add fresh baby spinach leaves to the pasta during the last few minutes of cooking. The wilted spinach will add vibrant color and a healthy dose of greens to the dish.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Incorporate chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of sweet and tangy flavor that complements the creamy garlic sauce and mushrooms beautifully.
- Bacon Bliss: Crisp up some bacon and crumble it over the pasta just before serving. The smoky, savory notes of bacon provide a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Chicken Addition: For added protein, sauté bite-sized pieces of chicken breast or thigh in the same pan before preparing the mushrooms. Then, combine the chicken and mushrooms in the creamy garlic sauce for a heartier meal.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a subtle spicy kick.
- Lemon Zest: Grate some lemon zest over the finished dish to brighten up the flavors with a hint of citrusy freshness.
If you can think of any other way to make this creamy garlic mushroom pasta dish unique, go for it!
Meal Prep Tips
Always remember to reserve pasta water in case your sauce is too thick or your pasta becomes clumpy. Add as needed to thicken the sauce if needed.
Equipment
You will need a pan that is deep enough to hold all of your pasta and sauce. It's best that the pan has a lid, so that the sauce doesn't splatter all over the place when cooking.
To make this mushroom pasta with creamy garlic parmesan sauce have ready wooden spoons to stir your sauce. You'll also need a good knife set and cutting board.
Storage
Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for a maximum of 4 days. You can also freeze for later. To defrost, thaw it out in the fridge for 24 hours and then warm it up in the microwave, oven or on the stove top. Yum!
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
Absolutely! While the recipe may specify certain mushrooms, you can use various mushroom types like cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms to create different flavor profiles and textures.
To clean mushrooms, use a damp paper towel or a mushroom brush to gently wipe off any dirt or debris. Avoid soaking them in water, as mushrooms are porous and can absorb excess moisture.
To make this dish gluten-free, simply substitute regular wheat pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, quinoa, or another gluten-free grain. Ensure that other ingredients like broth and sauces are also gluten-free if needed.
Other Main Dishes You'll Love
Recipe Details
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
https://easyhomemaderecipes.caIngredients
- 8 oz Button Mushrooms sliced
- ¼ cup Red Onion about ½ onion
- ½ cup Dry White Wine
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- ⅛ tsp Salt for sauce
- Pepper to taste for sauce
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup Butter melted
- 450 grams Rigatoni Pasta
- ½ tsp Salt for pasta water
- 3 Basil Leaves chopped, optional
Instructions
- Start by sauteing chopped garlic in olive oil in a frying pan until fragrant. Add sliced onions and cook until translucent. Add sliced mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Let cook until tender.
- Add white wine and let simmer.
- Combine butter, cream and parmesan cheese in a separate small saucer and cook until slightly thickened. Add cream sauce to pan with mushrooms. Turn off heat and set aside.
- Cook pasta al dente as per manufacturers instructions. Using a spider spoon, scoop pasta out into pan with creamy garlic mushroom sauce.
- Stir well to combine and serve topped with chopped basil (optional)
Nutrition
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Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check the Government of Canada Food Safety Guidelines or see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Jane Geognart says
This was really quick and easy to make and my family really liked it even though they don't like mushrooms much!
AmyG says
Jane,
So glad your family liked it!