Craving a restaurant-quality meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes? This creamy Spinach Mushroom Pasta is your answer. It’s a simple yet elegant dish, combining earthy mushrooms, vibrant spinach, and a luscious garlic cream sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this recipe is guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
We’re using simple, fresh ingredients to create a pasta dish that feels indulgent without the fuss. The mushrooms are sautéed until golden, the spinach wilts into the creamy sauce, and it all comes together with your favorite pasta. It’s comfort in a bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe
- Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, this entire meal is on the table in just 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for hectic weeknights.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of common ingredients to create this rich and flavorful sauce.
- Creamy & Satisfying: The combination of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese creates a luxuriously smooth sauce that perfectly coats every noodle.
- Easily Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base. Feel free to add protein like grilled chicken or shrimp, or toss in other veggies you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Pasta: I prefer a long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine, but penne or rotini work wonderfully too.
- Mushrooms: Cremini mushrooms (baby bellas) are my go-to for their deep, earthy flavor.
- Spinach: Fresh baby spinach is ideal; it wilts quickly and adds a beautiful color.
- Garlic & Onion: These aromatics form the essential flavor base of our sauce.
- Heavy Cream & Parmesan Cheese: The power duo for a truly creamy, savory sauce.
- Olive Oil & Butter: For sautéing the vegetables and adding richness.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little warmth.
How to Make The Perfect Spinach Mushroom Pasta
Making this creamy pasta is a straightforward process. By following these steps, you’ll ensure a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water. This is a key ingredient for thickening the sauce later!
Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook without moving them for a few minutes until they get a nice golden-brown sear. Then, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until they are fully cooked and have released their liquid. Remove the mushrooms from the pan and set them aside.
Step 3: Build the Cream Sauce
In the same skillet, add a little more butter if needed. Sauté the chopped onion until softened, then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Step 4: Combine and Finish
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add the cooked mushrooms and fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring until the spinach has wilted. Finally, add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well-coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: For perfectly browned mushrooms, make sure they have enough space in the skillet. Cook them in batches if necessary.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. Grating your own ensures a smoother texture.
- Reserve Pasta Water: This starchy water is liquid gold. It helps the sauce cling to the pasta and emulsifies it into a silky-smooth consistency.
- Season at Every Step: Don’t forget to salt your pasta water and season the sauce as you go to build layers of flavor.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
- Add Protein: Stir in cooked, shredded chicken, sautéed shrimp, or even some Italian sausage for a heartier meal. For another great dinner idea with beef, check out this Hearty Beef Tortellini Recipe.
- Make it Spicy: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
- Try Different Greens: Kale or arugula can be used in place of spinach for a different flavor profile.
- Go Nut-Free: If you’re looking for another great nut-free recipe, try these amazing Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies for dessert.
What to Serve with Your Pasta
This Spinach Mushroom Pasta is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread to soak up the extra sauce. If you’re planning a full Italian-inspired dinner, finish the meal with some delicious Tiramisu Cups for a truly memorable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out as much excess water as possible before adding it to the sauce. This prevents the sauce from becoming watery. You will need about 1 cup of thawed, squeezed spinach.
To make this recipe vegan, use a plant-based pasta, substitute the butter and cream with vegan butter and full-fat coconut milk or a cashew cream, and use a nutritional yeast or a store-bought vegan parmesan cheese alternative.
The key is to reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water before you drain the noodles. If your sauce gets too thick after adding the cheese and pasta, stir in a splash of the reserved water until it reaches a silky, smooth consistency.
This dish is very versatile for adding protein. Cooked, shredded chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crumbled Italian sausage are all fantastic additions. Stir them in at the end with the pasta.
Cremini (or baby bella) mushrooms are excellent for this pasta as they have a deeper, earthier flavor than white button mushrooms. However, you could also use a mix of wild mushrooms like shiitake or portobello for a more complex taste.
The Ultimate Creamy Spinach Mushroom Pasta
There you have it—a simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious pasta dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. Give it a try and let me know how you liked it in the comments below! Don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Spinach Mushroom Pasta
Spinach Mushroom Pasta: A Creamy 30-Minute Delight
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Add the cooked mushrooms and fresh spinach, stirring until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the pasta in the sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese can make your sauce gritty. Grating your own ensures a smoother texture.
Reserve pasta water: This starchy water is liquid gold. It helps the sauce cling to the pasta and makes it silky-smooth.
