Description
Cozy Mushroom Parmesan Pasta is a comforting and creamy stovetop pasta dish featuring tender cremini mushrooms, garlic, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special and indulgent without requiring complicated techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Sauce and Mushroom Mixture
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 16 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 ounces of penne pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining to use later for loosening the sauce.
- Heat the Fat: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3 tablespoons unsalted butter until melted and hot.
- Cook the Mushrooms: Add the 16 ounces of sliced cremini mushrooms in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes so they develop a golden brown color. Then stir and continue cooking until mushrooms are tender and nicely browned.
- Sauté the Garlic: Add 4 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Melt Parmesan Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it fully melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with the mushroom cream sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add small splashes of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Season: Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley over the top before serving warm for a fresh finish.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for smoother melting.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half of the heavy cream with whole milk or half-and-half.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen sauces as pasta cools or thickens.
- This dish can be made gluten free by substituting gluten-free pasta varieties.
- To add protein, consider topping with grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp.
