Creamy Cashew Mushroom Pasta with Roasted Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, plant-based pasta dish featuring earthy mushrooms, roasted garlic, and a velvety cashew cream sauce that comes together in one pot. This mediterranean-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs spaghetti, sliced cremini mushrooms, halved garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place halved garlic cloves on a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, and roast for 25 minutes until golden and tender.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  3. Step 3: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and moisture evaporates.
  4. Step 4: Drain soaked cashews and add to a blender with roasted garlic cloves, vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Pour cashew sauce over mushrooms in the skillet, stirring until thickened and glossy, about 3 minutes. Add drained spaghetti and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until sauce clings to pasta.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with extra thyme and a sprinkle of black pepper.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Creamy Cashew Mushroom Pasta with Roasted Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Creamy Cashew Mushroom Pasta with Roasted Garlic?

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 spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Cashew Mushroom Pasta with Roasted Garlic?

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 Creamy Cashew Mushroom Pasta with Roasted Garlic 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 Creamy Cashew Mushroom Pasta with Roasted Garlic 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.

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