Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta with Lemon Zest
Elegant pasta dish featuring nutty brown butter, earthy mushrooms, and bright lemon, inspired by the prevalence of this surname across America's diverse culinary landscape. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs pasta, unsalted butter, cremini mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms
- 1/4 cup minced shallot
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and liquid has evaporated. Add minced shallot and garlic, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in white wine and simmer for 3 minutes until reduced by half. Add lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss drained pasta into skillet, adding 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Stir in parsley and grated Parmesan until melted and combined, adding more pasta water if too thick.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta with Lemon Zest?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta with Lemon Zest?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta with Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta with Lemon Zest vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better pasta dishes though.
