North Country Mushroom Pasta
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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 8 oz, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp, leaves only fresh thyme
- to taste salt
- for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6: Season with salt to taste, remove from heat, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
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
- ★★★★★
Amazing pasta! Will make again.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my husband's birthday, and it was a hit!
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My family devoured it.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
