Description
A creamy and comforting Spinach Mushroom Pasta recipe featuring sautéed cremini mushrooms and garlic in a luscious half-and-half sauce, tossed with tender pasta, fresh spinach, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 8 oz fresh spinach
- 2¼ cups half-and-half or single cream
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 1 pound pasta of choice
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until just under al dente, so it retains a slight firmness as it will finish cooking when combined with the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Mushrooms: While pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, making sure not to burn it. Add the sliced mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until they become tender and release their moisture, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Pour in the half-and-half and let the mixture simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water. Add the pasta to the skillet with the sauce and stir in the chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Adjust Consistency and Seasoning: Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to coat the pasta evenly and create a smooth sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- Serve: Serve the Spinach Mushroom Pasta hot, ideally alongside a fresh salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use cremini mushrooms for their earthy flavor, but white button mushrooms can be substituted.
- Half-and-half can be replaced with whole cream or heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to help adjust sauce consistency and improve flavor absorption.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano if desired.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness; feel free to garnish additionally with basil or chives.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta.
- Do not overcook pasta initially since it will cook more when combined with the sauce.
