An easy creamy garlic mushroom pasta recipe ready in just 20 minutes!
It's quick, simple, and perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have much time to cook.
Creamy pasta dishes like this are my favourite type of dinner!
Who doesn't like perfectly pan-fried garlic mushrooms in a creamy herby cheesy Parmesan sauce? Paired with cooked pasta, that's comfort food heaven for me!
👩🍳 Love creamy pasta recipes? Try my creamy sweet potato spaghetti too!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
Here's why this is the best garlic and mushroom pasta recipe...
- Quick vegetarian pasta dish.
- Made with simple ingredients.
- Creamy and rich sauce.
- Herby garlicky mushrooms.
- Cosy comfort food.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Pasta - any pasta shape will work with this recipe. I've used farfalle, but sometimes I make it with long pasta such as tagliatelle or spaghetti too.
- Olive Oil - for pan-frying the mushrooms.
- Garlic - 3 fat cloves, finely chopped.
- Mushrooms - sliced chestnut mushrooms give the dish a lovely nutty taste but you could use button mushrooms too.
- Thyme - dried or fresh thyme or swap for another herb such as rosemary.
- White Wine - you could also use a fortified wine such as vermouth. It’s used to deglaze the pan after pan-frying the mushrooms.
- Double Cream - for a rich and silky sauce.
- Dijon Mustard (optional) - for an extra kick.
- Parmesan - finely grated, or use pecorino or grana padano.
- Parsley - finely chopped for garnish.
- Salt and Pepper - for seasoning.
🔪 How to make creamy garlic mushroom pasta
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water, drain and set aside.
Two: Heat the olive oil in a shallow casserole and fry the chopped garlic, sliced mushrooms, and thyme on a high heat for 3 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
Three: Pour in the wine to deglaze the pan, then add the double cream, dijon mustard if using, grated parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer the creamy garlic mushroom sauce for a couple of minutes.
Four: Add the pasta back into the pan and as much pasta cooking water you need to make a glossy sauce.
Five: Serve the pasta with more grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
💭 Expert tips
- Don't forget to reserve a cup of pasta cooking water to add to the sauce. The starch from the pasta water will help thicken and emulsify it.
- Try not to overcrowd the mushrooms in the pan. Use a large skillet or frying pan and cook them on a high heat so that they cook evenly and don't steam and become slimy.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve the creamy garlic mushroom pasta with a crisp green salad and homemade focaccia or garlic bread!
📖 Variations
- Make garlic mushroom chicken pasta and add leftover cooked chicken for the last few minutes of cooking.
- Add the zest of half a lemon.
- Sprinkle over toasted pine nuts for crunch and texture.
- Up the veggies and add a handful of baby spinach at the end of cooking. The residual heat will help wilt the spinach leaves.
- Use creme fraiche instead of double cream for a lighter sauce.
- Skip the wine if you don't have any.
- Drizzle over some extra-virgin olive oil at the end of cooking for extra richness.
🥡 Storage
Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Microwave on high until piping hot.
Freeze: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Yes! Just swap regular pasta for gluten-free pasta instead.
I haven't tried it but you could substitute the cream and cheese for vegan alternatives.
😋 More creamy pasta recipes
- Creamy Boursin Pasta
- Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Sausage Pasta
- Creamy Baked Tortellini
- Creamy Salmon and Prawn Pasta
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Recipe
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
- 200 g Pasta I used farfalle but any shape will work.
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
- 250 g Chestnut Mushrooms cleaned of dirt and sliced
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 60 ml White Wine
- 150 ml Double Cream
- ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard optional
- 50 g Parmesan grated
- 2 tablespoon Parsley finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water, drain, and set aside.200 g Pasta
- Heat the olive oil in a shallow casserole and fry the chopped garlic, sliced mushrooms, and thyme on a high heat for 3 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 3 Garlic Cloves, 250 g Chestnut Mushrooms, 1 teaspoon Thyme
- Pour in the wine to deglaze the pan, then add the double cream, dijon mustard if using, grated parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer the creamy garlic mushroom sauce for a couple of minutes.60 ml White Wine, 150 ml Double Cream, ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 50 g Parmesan, 2 tablespoon Parsley, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Add the pasta back into the pan and as much pasta cooking water as you need to make a glossy sauce.
- Warm through and serve the pasta with more grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
Notes
- Don't forget to reserve a cup of pasta cooking water to add to the sauce. The starch from the pasta water will help thicken and emulsify it.
- Try not to overcrowd the mushrooms in the pan. Use a large skillet or frying pan and cook them on a high heat so that they cook evenly and don't steam and become slimy.
- Make garlic mushroom chicken pasta and add leftover cooked chicken for the last few minutes of cooking.
- Add the zest of half a lemon.
- Sprinkle over toasted pine nuts for crunch and texture.
- Up the veggies and add a handful of baby spinach at the end of cooking. The residual heat will help wilt the spinach leaves.
- Use creme fraiche instead of double cream for a lighter sauce.
- Skip the wine if you don't have any.
Liz
Absolutely scrumptious! Served this as a side dish and it all disappeared!
Natalie
This mushroom pasta recipe is simple and family-friendly. Love your version, thanks!
Amanda
This pasta was fabulous! Talk about total comfort food. The sauce was so creamy with the perfect garlic flavor, and it's super simple to whip up.
Aimee Mars
This is the perfect weeknight pasta that my whole family loves! It was so easy to make and everyone ate it up.
Casey
This was so easy and delicious! I threw in some leftover grilled chicken - perfect use for leftovers! Will be making again for sure.