Creamy Mushroom & Thyme Pasta
A velvety pasta dish featuring earthy mushrooms, fresh thyme, and a luxurious garlic-cream sauce that coats every strand perfectly. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs pasta, cremini mushrooms, fresh thyme 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 pasta
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms
- 3 tbsp fresh thyme
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz pasta and cook until al dente per package instructions, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, trim and thinly slice 8 oz cremini mushrooms. Mince 4 garlic cloves and finely chop 3 tbsp fresh thyme.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and their liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add minced garlic and chopped thyme to the skillet, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened, then add 1/2 cup grated parmesan, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Step 6: Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to reach a creamy consistency that coats the pasta strands.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Mushroom & Thyme Pasta 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 & Thyme Pasta?
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 & Thyme Pasta?
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 & Thyme Pasta 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 & Thyme Pasta?
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
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
