One-Pot Garlic Mushroom Pasta with Cream
A comforting pasta dish where tender mushrooms and garlic meld into a rich cream sauce, all cooked in a single pot for effortless weeknight dining. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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, finely diced yellow onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 12 oz, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
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 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 1 medium diced yellow onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz sliced cremini mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes until mushrooms release liquid and turn golden.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 3 minutes until liquid reduces slightly.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, then add the drained spaghetti and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until sauce coats pasta evenly, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then serve immediately with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Mushroom Pasta with Cream 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-Pot Garlic Mushroom Pasta with Cream?
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 One-Pot Garlic Mushroom Pasta with Cream?
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-Pot Garlic Mushroom Pasta with Cream 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-Pot Garlic Mushroom Pasta with Cream?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The cream sauce clung to every strand of pasta without being heavy. Served with crusty bread for dipping—it was pure comfort food.
- ★★★★★
Simple but stunning. Used fresh thyme from my garden and it elevated the dish perfectly. One-pot means zero cleanup—sold!
- ★★★★★
This is my new weeknight staple! The garlic and mushrooms created such a rich flavor, and the cream made it feel like a restaurant meal. Even my picky kids asked for seconds.
