Creamy Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe: A Cozy Dinner Win
Crafting a delightful spinach mushroom pasta brings culinary magic right to your kitchen table.
Earthy mushrooms and vibrant greens dance together in this comforting dish.
Unexpected flavor combinations make this recipe shine with simplicity.
Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when you combine fresh ingredients creatively.
Delicate textures and rich umami notes promise a satisfying meal.
Quick to prepare and incredibly nourishing, this pasta will become your new favorite go-to.
Bon appétit and happy cooking!
Why Spinach Mushroom Pasta Is So Comforting
Ingredients For Spinach Mushroom Pasta
For the Pasta:For the Vegetables:For the Sauce and Seasoning:Cooking Spinach Mushroom Pasta Easily
Step 1: Boil Water for Pasta
Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture.
Step 2: Prepare Vegetable Ingredients
Thoroughly clean the spinach leaves and slice mushrooms into thin, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution.
Step 3: Sauté Garlic
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Finely chop the garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant and develops a light golden color.
Step 4: Cook Mushrooms
Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook until they release their moisture and develop a rich, caramelized exterior with deep flavor.
Step 5: Cook and Drain Pasta
Cook the pasta in the boiling water until perfectly tender. Drain the pasta, keeping a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
Step 6: Combine Pasta and Vegetables
Return the pasta to the pot. Gently fold in the sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach leaves, allowing the residual heat to softly wilt the spinach.
Step 7: Create Creamy Sauce
Lower the skillet heat. Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese. Stir continuously to create a smooth, velvety sauce that coats the pasta.
Step 8: Season the Dish
Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Toss the pasta thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of seasonings and flavors.
Step 9: Add Fresh Herbs
Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the pasta, adding a vibrant and aromatic finishing touch to the dish.
Step 10: Serve and Enjoy
Plate the pasta immediately while hot. Optional: Garnish with an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese for added richness and flavor.
Pro Tips For Spinach Mushroom Pasta
Twists On Spinach Mushroom Pasta To Try
What Goes Well With Spinach Mushroom Pasta
Storing Spinach Mushroom Pasta Properly
Spinach Mushroom Pasta FAQs
Yes, thaw and drain frozen spinach completely, then squeeze out excess moisture before adding to the pasta. Fresh spinach provides better texture and flavor.
Button, cremini, or shiitake mushrooms are excellent choices. Each variety offers a unique flavor profile and pairs well with the creamy sauce.
Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese to maintain a creamy texture and rich taste.
Grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or pan-fried tofu can be excellent protein additions that complement the mushroom and spinach flavors.
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Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Delightful Spinach Mushroom Pasta blends earthy mushrooms with fresh spinach in a creamy sauce that whispers comfort. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a quick weeknight dinner you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Pasta Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine)
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1.5 cups sliced mushrooms (button or cremini)
Protein and Dairy:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Seasoning and Extras:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the pasta until it reaches an al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes depending on the type of pasta chosen.
- While the water heats, thoroughly wash spinach leaves and slice mushrooms into uniform, thin pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, finely mince the garlic, and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet, cooking until they release their moisture and develop a rich, caramelized exterior, about 4-5 minutes.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjusting, and return the pasta to the pot.
- Fold the sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach leaves into the warm pasta, allowing the residual heat to gently wilt the spinach.
- Reduce skillet heat to low, pour in heavy cream, and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Season the pasta mixture with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, tossing to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle over the pasta just before serving, adding a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch.
- Plate immediately, serving the pasta hot and garnishing with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Customize pasta type to suit dietary needs, like gluten-free or whole wheat options for added nutrition and texture variation.
- Enhance vegetable intake by increasing spinach quantity or adding extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for more color and nutrients.
- Modify protein content by incorporating grilled chicken, shrimp, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for a more substantial meal.
- Control sauce consistency using reserved pasta water, gradually adding to achieve desired creaminess without overwhelming the dish’s delicate flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Olivia Brooks
Contributing Writer
Expertise
Education
Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique
Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.