Creamy Mushroom & Sage Pasta with Lemon Zest
A luxurious yet simple pasta dish featuring earthy mushrooms, fragrant sage, and bright lemon in a velvety sauce that coats every strand. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, cremini mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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 spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms
- 10 leaves fresh sage leaves
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 oz thinly sliced cremini mushrooms and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 10 fresh sage leaves and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant and sage wilts — do not let garlic brown.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream and stir for 2 minutes until slightly thickened, then stir in 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 more minute until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss for 2 minutes until evenly coated. If sauce seems too thick, add up to 2 tbsp reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Mushroom & Sage Pasta with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Mushroom & Sage 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Mushroom & Sage 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 Creamy Mushroom & Sage 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.
What goes well with Creamy Mushroom & Sage Pasta with Lemon Zest?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
