Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe

If there is one food pairing I can't get enough of it’s mushrooms, butter and garlic! Oh that smell… like savory potpourri. That combo is where this recipe started. I wanted a creamy pasta dish that had those flavors front and center – and so this Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe took shape. It's an uncomplicated pasta recipe with straightforward flavors and 8 simple ingredients.

This pasta and mushroom dish makes an easy dinner. Simply pair it with a green salad and some warm bread for a delicious dinner.

If you love pasta for dinner definitely check out this Easy Tomato Cream Sauce and if you love penne pasta these recipes are great too:

• Lemon Penne with Roasted Broccoli
• Penne Pasta Bake with Sausage
• Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Creamy Mushroom Pasta
• Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make Mushroom Pasta
• Mushroom Penne Pasta Recipe Variations
• Storing
• Serving Suggestions for Creamy Mushroom Pasta
• For Mushroom Lovers
• Did you make this recipe?
• Mushroom Penne Pasta Recipe
• Leave a comment and rate this recipe!

Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe Ingredients

Penne Pasta – Penne is perfect here because the ridges grab onto that creamy mushroom sauce. Cook it just to al dente per package instructions so it holds up.

Cremini Mushrooms – These bring a deeper, more savory flavor than white mushrooms. They may also be called baby bellas in the grocery store.

Heavy Cream – This is what gives the sauce its creamy texture. It creates a wonderful sauce without needing a ton of extra ingredients.

All purpose flour – A small amount goes a long way to thicken the sauce. Cooking it briefly with the butter prevents any raw flour taste and keeps the sauce smooth

Garlic – one of my favorite combos to smell cooking is garlic, mushrooms and butter!!! Adding the garlic to the final minute or two of cooking the mushrooms makes sure the flavor stays pronounced.

Salted Butter – The only butter we recognize here at Mom’s Dinner. The fat of the butter mixes with the flour to thicken the sauce.

Milk – A 2% or whole milk lightens the heavy cream just enough while still keeping the sauce creamy. It helps create a balanced, not-too-rich finish

Parmesan brings salty, nutty depth and ties the whole sauce together. Grate it fresh if you can it melts better and tastes cleaner.

How to Use Cremini Mushrooms

For this dish I recommend using cremini mushrooms, which are actually baby portobello mushrooms. You may even see them called “baby portobellos” or “baby bellas” in the store.

Of course you can use whatever mushrooms you prefer. Just make sure you cut them nice and thick so they still have a bite to them after they are sauteed for 10 minutes!

How to Make Mushroom Pasta

1. Start by cooking your pasta according to package instructions. Drain. If your sauce isn’t ready right away toss the pasta with a little olive oil and set aside. This will prevent the noodles from clumping together.
2. Meanwhile in a large skillet with tall sides, add 3 tablespoon of butter and melt over medium heat. Add the thick sliced mushrooms for about 2 mins.
3. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Continue to sauté for about 8 more minutes until the mushrooms are softened. Add the garlic and saute another minute.

4. Add another 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and let it melt completely. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoon all purpose flour. Stir the flour around the pan to coat the mushrooms, about 1 minute to cook the raw flour taste out.
5. Pour in 1 cup heavy whipping cream and ½ cup milk, Stir around the pan until it is thickened.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in ½ cup shredded parmesan and the cooked pasta, stir until the cheese is melted and the pasta is coated.

Mushroom Penne Pasta Recipe Variations

This is a really simple Mushroom Pasta Recipe, so you can absolutely add some things to make it your own.

Here are some ingredients that would pair well with the mushrooms and creamy flavors:

• Thyme or Rosemary add some fresh herbs to totally change the flavor profile. 2 teaspoon of fresh chopped rosemary or thyme or a combo would be great. Add it when you add the mushrooms and garlic to the pan.
• Fresh spinach add after the mushrooms have sauteed and let the spinach wilt in the pan for about 2 minutes.
• Sauteed or Grilled Shrimp serve this on top of each serving of pasta. A skewer of grilled shrimp would be delicious!
• Chicken or Grilled Chicken either toss it into the pan with the pasta or add it on top of each serving.
• Asparagus add chopped asparagus about half way through the mushroom cooking time.
• Stir in a couple spoonful’s of Fresh Pesto this will give you more of a pesto cream sauce. Stir it in at the very end before serving.

Storing

Let the pasta cool slightly, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken as it sits, so add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to loosen everything back up.

Reheating

To reheat portion single servings into a microwave safe bowl, stir in a little milk to reconstitute the sauce. Microwave for about 1 minute. Stir. Microwave for an additional 20-30 seconds.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Mushroom Pasta

This pasta dish serves 2-4 people, but I do recommend serving it with a green salad and warm bread.

A Caesar Salad would be great or if you want to go the extra mile this Big Italian Salad is excellent! Of course Garlic Bread or Cheesy Garlic Bread is wonderful too.

For Mushroom Lovers

The smell of mushrooms and garlic cooking in butter is one of our favorite kitchen smells! So you know we love all-things-mushrooms in the Mom’s Dinner Test Kitchen.

Here are some other mushroom recipes to check out if you are also a huge mushroom lover:

• Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
• Chicken and Mushroom Crepes
• Instant Pot Coq au Vin
• Chicken Pot Roast

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