Nurse Practitioner's Creamy Mushroom Pasta
A velvety pasta dish with earthy mushrooms and a hint of white wine, perfect for cozy weeknights. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, extra virgin olive oil, cremini mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 penne pasta
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 finely diced shallot
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown and moisture evaporates.
- Step 3: Add 1 finely diced shallot and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Deglaze with 1/2 cup dry white wine, simmering until reduced by half (about 2 minutes).
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Toss drained penne into the sauce, adding more pasta water if needed to achieve a creamy consistency. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Nurse Practitioner's Creamy 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 Nurse Practitioner's Creamy 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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Nurse Practitioner's Creamy 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 Nurse Practitioner's Creamy 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 Nurse Practitioner's Creamy 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
