Serious Creamy Wild Mushroom & Thyme Pasta

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

A luxurious pasta dish where a velvety sauce of foraged mushrooms and fresh herbs envelops al dente noodles, celebrating the seriousness of simple, elevated ingredients. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs spaghetti, butter, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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 butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb mixed wild mushrooms
• 1 small yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, trim and slice mixed wild mushrooms into 1/2-inch pieces. Dice small yellow onion and mince 3 garlic cloves.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat until butter melts. Add mushrooms and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms release liquid and turn golden brown.
4. Step 4: Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and golden.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream, and simmer gently for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Stir in 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
6. Step 6: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Add 3-4 tbsp reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until sauce clings to noodles like a glossy film.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup grated parmesan until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve immediately with extra parmesan and thyme for garnish.