North Country Mushroom Pasta

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

A simple yet elegant pasta dish with a velvety mushroom sauce, finished with fresh herbs and parmesan. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of 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.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Add sliced cremini mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until they release moisture and begin browning. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan and 1 tbsp fresh thyme, stirring until melted and combined.
  5. Step 5: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1-2 minutes until sauce coats all strands evenly.
  6. Step 6: Season with salt to taste, remove from heat, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does North Country Mushroom Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 North Country Mushroom 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 spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in North Country Mushroom 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 North Country Mushroom 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 North Country Mushroom 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

Related recipes