Description
This Spinach Mushroom Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish combining tender cremini mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a rich half-and-half sauce tossed with your favorite pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy weeknight meal that pairs perfectly with a crisp salad or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound Cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 8 oz fresh spinach
- 2¼ cups half-and-half or single cream
- 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 rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until it is just under al dente, typically about 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend. This ensures the pasta will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Mushrooms: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn it. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until tender and golden, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Stir the fresh spinach into the skillet with the mushrooms and cook until the spinach wilts down, about 2-3 minutes. Pour in the half-and-half or single cream and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water. Add the pasta directly into the skillet with the mushroom and spinach sauce. Toss in the chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, mixing well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Adjust Consistency and Season: Gradually add reserved pasta water a little at a time while tossing to achieve a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the Spinach Mushroom Pasta hot, accompanied by a fresh salad and crusty bread for a complete meal experience.
Notes
- Use fresh spinach for the best texture and flavor; baby spinach is an excellent alternative.
- If half-and-half is unavailable, single cream or light cream can be substituted.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency—it contains starch that helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Try using different pasta shapes like fettuccine or penne for variety.
- To make the dish vegetarian, ensure the Parmesan cheese is a vegetarian-friendly version or substitute with nutritional yeast.
