Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe

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

  • Savor Quick Cooking: Prepare a delightful meal in under 30 minutes with minimal kitchen skills required, perfect for busy home cooks craving a delicious dinner.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like adding grilled chicken or switching to gluten-free pasta, making this recipe adaptable to various dietary preferences and pantry contents.
  • Impress Without Stress: Create a restaurant-quality dish that looks sophisticated but involves simple techniques anyone can master, boosting cooking confidence with every bite.
  • Nutrient-Packed Comfort: Combine spinach's nutritional power with mushrooms' rich flavor, delivering a balanced meal that satisfies taste buds and nutritional needs in one delightful plate.

Ingredients For Spinach Mushroom Pasta

For the Pasta:
  • Pasta: A versatile base that provides hearty texture and foundation for the dish.
For the Vegetables:
  • Spinach Leaves, Mushrooms: Fresh vegetables that add nutritional value and earthy flavor to the pasta.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a rich, pungent base for the sauce.
For the Sauce and Seasoning:
  • Olive Oil: Cooking medium that helps sauté ingredients and adds smooth flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Ingredient that creates a rich, luxurious sauce coating for the pasta.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Salty, sharp cheese that enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the dish's taste.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spice that adds a subtle heat and complexity.
  • Fresh Basil Leaves: Herb that provides a bright, fresh finishing note to the pasta.

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

  • Prep Like a Pro: Wash spinach and slice mushrooms uniformly to guarantee even cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
  • Garlic Game Strong: Mince garlic finely and sauté until golden for maximum aromatic intensity without burning.
  • Sauce Rescue Trick: Save a bit of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed, creating a silky smooth texture.
  • Spinach Wilting Wisdom: Let residual heat gently wilt spinach leaves for perfectly tender greens without overcooking.
  • Cheese Melting Magic: Stir parmesan continuously into low heat to prevent clumping and create a creamy, smooth sauce.

Twists On Spinach Mushroom Pasta To Try

  • Vegan Veggie Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a plant-based version.
  • Gluten-Free Garden Pasta: Substitute regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free brown rice pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Protein-Packed Power Bowl: Add grilled chicken or crispy tofu cubes to increase protein content and create a more substantial meal.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Remix: Swap traditional pasta with cauliflower rice or roasted cauliflower florets for a lighter, low-carbohydrate alternative.

What Goes Well With Spinach Mushroom Pasta

  • Savor Earthy Wine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied Pinot Noir to complement the mushroom's rich, umami flavors and match the pasta's creamy texture.
  • Refresh with Crisp White: Choose a Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the heavy cream and provide a bright, acidic contrast to the dish's richness.
  • Elevate with Herbal Cocktail: Mix a basil gin smash that echoes the fresh basil garnish and offers a light, aromatic accompaniment to the creamy pasta.
  • Balance with Sparkling Water: Opt for a lemon-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate between bites and enhance the dish's delicate herb and mushroom notes.

Storing Spinach Mushroom Pasta Properly

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss and flavor absorption.
  • Transfer pasta to a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months, placing a layer of plastic wrap directly on the pasta surface to prevent freezer burn.
  • Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to restore moisture. Stir gently and frequently to prevent sticking and maintain creamy texture.
  • Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water, and cover with a damp paper towel.

Spinach Mushroom Pasta FAQs

  • Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, thaw and drain frozen spinach completely, then squeeze out excess moisture before adding to the pasta. Fresh spinach provides better texture and flavor.

  • What type of mushrooms work best in this recipe?

Button, cremini, or shiitake mushrooms are excellent choices. Each variety offers a unique flavor profile and pairs well with the creamy sauce.

  • Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?

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.

  • How can I add more protein to this pasta dish?

Grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or pan-fried tofu can be excellent protein additions that complement the mushroom and spinach flavors.

Print
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Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe

Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe


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4.5 from 37 reviews

  • 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

Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. While the water heats, thoroughly wash spinach leaves and slice mushrooms into uniform, thin pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution.
  3. 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.
  4. Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet, cooking until they release their moisture and develop a rich, caramelized exterior, about 4-5 minutes.
  5. Drain the cooked pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjusting, and return the pasta to the pot.
  6. Fold the sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach leaves into the warm pasta, allowing the residual heat to gently wilt the spinach.
  7. Reduce skillet heat to low, pour in heavy cream, and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
  8. Season the pasta mixture with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, tossing to ensure even distribution of flavors.
  9. Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle over the pasta just before serving, adding a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch.
  10. 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

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

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.

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