If you are craving a dish that perfectly balances earthy, savory, and tangy flavors, this Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe is the answer to your dinner prayers. With tender cremini mushrooms sautéed to caramelized perfection mingling with fragrant garlic, lemon, and luscious parmesan, every bite bursts with warmth and comfort. It’s a simple yet sophisticated pasta dish that feels like a hug from the inside, and best of all, it comes together quickly using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Once you try this Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe, it’s bound to become one of your go-to meals for a cozy night in or impressing friends without fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I absolutely love about this Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe is how straightforward, unpretentious ingredients come together to create a dish full of flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a vital role—whether it’s the depth from the mushrooms, the brightness of the lemon, or the creamy, cheesy finish from parmesan. Here’s everything you’ll need to make your kitchen smell amazing in no time!
- 4 ounces uncooked pasta: Choose your favorite type—spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne all work beautifully here.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Adds a fruity note and helps sauté the vegetables perfectly.
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided): Butter brings richness and helps achieve that perfect caramelization on mushrooms and onions.
- 1/2 medium onion (chopped): Offers a subtle sweetness and a lovely foundation of flavor.
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms (sliced): These earthy mushrooms are the star, giving the dish its hearty, meaty quality.
- 3 cloves garlic (minced): Garlic packs an aromatic punch that complements the mushrooms flawlessly.
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard: Adds a gentle tang and depth to the sauce.
- 1/4 cup chicken broth, vegetable broth, or white wine: Provides a delicate liquid base to infuse the sauce with extra flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice + zest of 1/2 lemon: Brings brightness and balances the richness.
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese: Parmesan delivers a nutty, salty finish that ties everything together beautifully.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note and a pop of green color.
- Salt & pepper (to taste): Essential for seasoning to your preference.
How to Make Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta Al Dente
Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil, then add your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it’s al dente—firm to the bite but cooked through. This texture is crucial because the pasta will continue to absorb sauce, and you want it to remain perfectly tender without turning mushy.
Step 2: Sauté Onions and Mushrooms
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, toss in the chopped onions and sliced mushrooms. The goal here is to coax out as much moisture as possible from the mushrooms, allowing them to brown and caramelize. This step takes around 8 to 10 minutes, but trust me, it’s well worth the wait as the caramelization develops those irresistibly deep, savory flavors.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Dijon Mustard
Next, stir in the remaining butter, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard. Cooking for about a minute lets the garlic release its fragrance without burning and blends the mustard’s tang into the base of the sauce, layering in complexity.
Step 4: Deglaze with Broth and Add Lemon
Pour in your choice of chicken broth, vegetable broth, or white wine, and then add the lemon juice along with the lemon zest. Let this mixture bubble gently for about a minute to meld the flavors and reduce just slightly. The lemon cuts through the richness and brightens every mouthful, creating a nicely balanced sauce.
Step 5: Finish with Parmesan, Parsley, and Toss with Pasta
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley. Before draining the pasta, reserve a few tablespoons of the hot pasta water and add it to the sauce to loosen it slightly. Toss the pasta in the skillet to coat it thoroughly, seasoning with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste. Serve immediately for the ultimate comforting bowl of garlic mushroom pasta goodness.
How to Serve Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
To amp up the look and flavor, sprinkle additional parmesan or a few lemon zest shreds on top. A little extra fresh parsley or even some toasted pine nuts can add a delightful crunch and freshness that complements the earthy mushroom base beautifully.
Side Dishes
This pasta pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the creaminess. Crusty garlic bread or a simple focaccia can be perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the garlic mushroom pasta stuffed inside roasted portobello caps or layering it in a shallow baked gratin dish topped with extra cheese and breadcrumbs, then broiled until golden and bubbly. It’s a dish that invites creativity and always impresses guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days. The flavors meld beautifully over time, making the next day’s meal even richer.
Freezing
While pasta can be frozen, the texture of the mushrooms may change slightly upon thawing. If you choose to freeze, place leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge prior to reheating for the best results.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce as needed. Microwaving works too, but stir every 30 seconds to heat evenly and keep the sauce creamy without drying out.
FAQs
Can I use other types of mushrooms for this recipe?
Absolutely! While cremini mushrooms provide wonderful flavor and texture, you can experiment with button mushrooms, shiitake, or even portobellos for a more intense, meaty taste.
Is this Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe vegetarian?
Yes, it can be! Just opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and you’ll have a delicious vegetarian dish packed with umami and brightness.
Can I add protein to this pasta?
Definitely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu cubes would make fantastic additions to bulk up the dish and provide extra protein.
What type of pasta works best?
Long noodles like spaghetti or linguine are traditional and lovely here because they cling to the sauce, but short pasta shapes that capture bits of mushrooms and sauce, like penne or rigatoni, work great as well.
How can I make this dish vegan?
Replace the butter with a vegan alternative, use vegetable broth, and swap parmesan for a nutritional yeast or vegan cheese substitute. This creates a vegan-friendly version without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe enough if you want a meal that’s both comforting and a little special. It’s easy to make but feels luxurious in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or company, it brings together simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors that’s truly unforgettable. Give it a try and enjoy every garlicky, mushroomy forkful!
Print
Garlic Mushroom Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Garlic Mushroom Pasta recipe is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines sautéed cremini mushrooms, garlic, and Parmesan cheese with perfectly cooked pasta. Enhanced with Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and fresh parsley, it offers a delicious balance of earthiness and brightness, making it an easy and elegant meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 ounces uncooked pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth or white wine
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the uncooked pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve a couple of tablespoons of the hot pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Onions and Mushrooms: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. When the pan is hot, add the chopped onions and sliced mushrooms. Sauté while stirring occasionally until the mushrooms release their water, it evaporates, and both the onions and mushrooms get caramelized and browned. This process takes about 8-10 minutes, adding rich flavor to the dish.
- Add Garlic and Dijon Mustard: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard. Cook for about one minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth or white wine), and add lemon juice and zest. Let the mixture bubble gently for about a minute to meld the flavors.
- Combine and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it if needed. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use any type of pasta you prefer, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- If you want a richer flavor, use white wine as the deglazing liquid instead of broth.
- Adding reserved pasta water helps to create a silky sauce that clings well to the pasta.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and consider adding crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
