Description
A creamy and delicious Spinach Mushroom Pasta that combines sautéed garlic, tender Cremini mushrooms, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese in a luscious half-and-half sauce. Perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound Cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 2¼ cups half-and-half or single cream
- 8 oz fresh spinach
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 1 pound pasta of choice
Instructions
- Boil Water and Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook until just under al dente, usually 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions, so it finishes cooking in the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Mushrooms: While pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sliced mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook until they become tender and release their moisture, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Stir fresh spinach into the skillet with the mushrooms and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Pour in the half-and-half and reduce heat to a simmer. Let the sauce cook gently until it thickens slightly, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water. Add the pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Stir in chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, tossing to combine everything thoroughly.
- Adjust Consistency and Season: Gradually add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve the Spinach Mushroom Pasta immediately while hot. It pairs beautifully with a fresh salad and some crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use half-and-half for a creamy but lighter sauce, or substitute with heavy cream for a richer flavor.
- Cremini mushrooms provide excellent flavor, but you can mix with shiitake or button mushrooms if preferred.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency; the starch helps bind the sauce to pasta.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated, giving a smoother sauce.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens upon standing.
