One-Pan Mushroom & Thyme Pasta with Garlic Bread Croutons

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

A comforting, one-pan wonder featuring al dente pasta coated in a rich, herb-infused mushroom sauce with crispy garlic bread croutons. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, mixed mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and shallot, cooking for 6 minutes until mushrooms release liquid and brown.
  3. Step 3: Stir in garlic and thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add cream and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return drained pasta to skillet. Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and toss until sauce coats noodles evenly.
  6. Step 6: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and glossy.
  7. Step 7: In a separate small skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add baguette cubes and cook for 3-4 minutes, tossing frequently, until golden and crisp.
  8. Step 8: Serve pasta topped with garlic bread croutons.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Mushroom & Thyme Pasta with Garlic Bread Croutons 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 One-Pan Mushroom & Thyme Pasta with Garlic Bread Croutons?

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 One-Pan Mushroom & Thyme Pasta with Garlic Bread Croutons?

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 One-Pan Mushroom & Thyme Pasta with Garlic Bread Croutons 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 One-Pan Mushroom & Thyme Pasta with Garlic Bread Croutons?

Italian one pot 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.

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