Pasta with Sautéed Mushrooms and Thyme

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple, earthy pasta dish where mushrooms and thyme create a fragrant sauce that clings to al dente spaghetti without heavy cream. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

★ 4.0 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 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 1 large diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and cook for 7 minutes until golden and tender, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1/4 cup white wine and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves and cook for 30 seconds.
  7. Step 7: Add the drained spaghetti and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet, tossing until sauce coats every strand. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Step 8: Serve immediately topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

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 Pasta with Sautéed Mushrooms and Thyme 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 Pasta with Sautéed Mushrooms and Thyme?

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 Pasta with Sautéed Mushrooms and Thyme?

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 Pasta with Sautéed Mushrooms and Thyme 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 Pasta with Sautéed Mushrooms and Thyme?

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