Creamy Spinach Mushroom Pasta

I’m a mushroom lover, how about you? Especially now that most grocery stores are offering flavorful varieties beyond the typical white button mushroom.

But too often, mushrooms get relegated to a side dish, or as a mere component of a dish, instead of being the star.

This Creamy Mushroom Pasta recipe is dedicated to the true mushroom lovers. Farfalle pasta is tossed with a creamy sauce made with deeply browned mushrooms and spinach for a meatless meal with a gourmet touch, that’s easy enough for a weeknight.

Creamy Mushroom Spinach Pasta Ingredients

• farfalle pasta – I love how this pasta is a fun shape and the sauce really clings to it.
• olive oil and butter – we’re using a combination of fats to saute the mushrooms for the best possible flavor.
• mushrooms – using a variety of mushrooms gives this dish a variety of textures and flavors, but you can use all one type if you want.
• garlic – adds a robust layer of flavor to the sauce.
• salt – seasons the pasta cooking water and the sauce.
• black pepper and red pepper flakes – add a subtle heat to balance the richness without being overwhelmingly spicy.
• heavy cream – creates a luscious, velvety sauce.
• white wine – to add acid and complexity to the sauce.
• lemon zest – for a bright, citrusy note that pairs well with the mushrooms.
• baby spinach – adds green freshness and lots of vitamins and nutrients to this creamy mushroom spinach pasta.
• Parmesan cheese – adds big umami flavor and a salty kick.
• parsley – for a pretty, colorful garnish.

Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta Substitutions

• PASTA – While farfalle works wonderfully for this recipe, you can experiment with any other pasta shape, including fettuccine, rigatoni, penne, or something else!
• GREENS – Swap the baby spinach for kale, Swiss chard or arugula.
• WINE – If you don’t have wine on hand or prefer not to use it, you can use a bit of vegetable or chicken broth as a substitute.

How to make Creamy Mushroom Pasta

1. COOK PASTA. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the farfalle pasta and a large pinch of salt. Cook according to package instructions for al dente.

2. SAUTE. While the pasta water is coming to a boil, heat some olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven. Add the mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms are deep golden brown.

3. SPICES. Add garlic, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to the mushrooms and cook 1 minute.

4. SAUCE. Add the cream, wine and lemon zest and simmer until the mixture thickens into a sauce.

5. SPINACH. Add the spinach, Parmesan and a bit more salt to the sauce.

6. TOSS. Drain the pasta and add it on top of the spinach, along with a bit of pasta cooking water. Toss everything together and cook until spinach is just wilted.

7. SERVE. Serve the pasta garnished with parsley, a bit more Parmesan cheese, and lemon wedges.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe variations

• CHICKEN – Add sliced roasted or grilled chicken (or pulled rotisserie chicken) for a protein-packed variation.
• SHRIMP – Elevate the dish by topping the pasta with sauteeed shrimp.
• BALSAMIC – Drizzle my best balsamic glaze over the finished pasta for a sweet and tangy gourmet touch.
• SUN-DRIED TOMATOES – add 1/4 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of sweetness.

What to serve with Creamy Spinach Mushroom Pasta

Because there’s already so much spinach in the pasta itself, I usually skip serving a salad with this pasta, and choose a roasted vegetable like roasted asparagus in oven or my glazed carrots instead.

Our recipe for garlic bread is always a great choice, too!

Storing leftover Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta

Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature, and then cover and refrigerate up to 3 days.

I do not suggest freezing this dish, as the cream sauce will have a compromised texture when thawed and reheated.

How to reheat Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

Gently reheat creamy garlic mushroom pasta on your stovetop over medium-low heat, with a splash of cream or milk added to revive the sauce.

You can also reheat this in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every minute until heated through.