Description
A creamy and flavorful Spinach Mushroom Pasta that combines tender cremini mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a rich half-and-half sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Ready in just 25 minutes, this comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound Cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 2¼ cups half-and-half or single cream
- 8 oz fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 1 pound pasta of choice
For Garnish
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil Water and Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until just under al dente, as it will continue cooking when combined with the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Mushrooms: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the mushrooms are tender and browned, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Pour in the half-and-half or cream and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens, around 3 to 5 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water. Add the pasta to the skillet with the sauce along with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly.
- Adjust Consistency and Season: Gradually add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the Spinach Mushroom Pasta hot, ideally accompanied by a fresh salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta; it should be slightly under al dente before combining with sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
- Feel free to substitute half-and-half with single cream or a plant-based cream alternative for a dairy-free version (note this will change the creaminess).
- Fresh Parmesan cheese delivers the best flavor; pre-grated cheese may not melt as well into the sauce.
- Adding parsley at the end brightens the dish and adds a fresh herbal note.
