Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta with Parmesan
A rich, comforting pasta dish with earthy mushrooms, tender spinach, and a velvety Parmesan-cream sauce, finished with fresh thyme. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs pasta, (sliced) button mushrooms, (fresh) spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup (sliced) button mushrooms
- 2 cups (fresh) spinach
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes until softened and golden.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
- Step 4: Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If needed, stir in 1-2 tbsp reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta with Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Spinach Pasta with Parmesan?
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 Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta with Parmesan?
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 Spinach Pasta with Parmesan 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 Spinach Pasta with Parmesan?
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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
