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A creamy, vegetarian-friendly pasta skillet featuring golden sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce, ready in about 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni)
  • 8 oz fresh mushrooms (cremini or shiitake)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (or butter)
  • 23 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (or kale)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half or coconut milk for dairy-free option)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan option)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice mushrooms, wash spinach, and mince garlic.
  2. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
  3. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes; drain and set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  5. Add mushrooms in a single layer (avoid overcrowding) and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
  6. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn it.
  7. If using frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out excess water.
  8. Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2-3 minutes, keeping spinach bright green.
  9. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over low-medium heat, stirring often to prevent curdling.
  10. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens.
  11. Add drained pasta to skillet and toss gently off heat to coat evenly, avoiding overcooking or breaking noodles.
  12. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Notes

Serve in wide, shallow bowls for presentation., Top with freshly grated Parmesan or torn basil leaves., Optional toppings: toasted pine nuts or crispy breadcrumbs for texture., Avoid overcrowding mushrooms while sautéing for better browning., Wilt spinach quickly to retain bright color and texture., Toss pasta in sauce off the heat to prevent overcooking., Use freshly minced garlic for best flavor., This recipe is flexible: swap kale for spinach, use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free option, coconut milk and nutritional yeast for dairy-free/vegan., Add crushed red pepper flakes for mild heat., Add cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers for seasonal variation., Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days., Reheat gently over low heat, adding splash of cream or milk if sauce is thick., Cream sauces do not freeze well; best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

  • Author: Ashley
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Tuscan

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: Approx. 450 calories per serving
  • Fat: Approx. 18 g per serving
  • Carbohydrates: Approx. 55 g per serving
  • Protein: Approx. 15 g per serving