If you love creamy, wholesome, and totally satisfying pasta dishes, this Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe might just become your new weeknight obsession. With its tender noodles, earthy mushrooms, silky spinach, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, each bite tastes like comfort and elegance wrapped in one. Not only is it delightfully quick to prepare, but the flavors are so layered and vibrant that you’ll find yourself making it on repeat—whether for a busy Monday dinner or a cozy date night in.

Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I really adore about this Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe is how it transforms straightforward, pantry basics into something so rich and memorable. Each ingredient brings its own personality—mushrooms for depth, spinach for color and freshness, cream and cheese for that dreamy texture.

Pasta (12 ounces, spaghetti or penne): Choose a pasta that grabs onto the sauce, like penne or spaghetti; both work beautifully to cradle all that creamy goodness.
Olive oil (2 tablespoons): This is the start of your flavor base and gives everything a silky, glossy finish.
Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Adds a welcoming, aromatic kick that infuses every bite.
Cremini or white mushrooms (8 ounces, sliced): Mushrooms bring umami richness and stay wonderfully juicy with just the right sauté.
Fresh spinach (5 ounces): Wilts down for a pop of color and a gentle earthy note that brightens the dish.
Heavy cream (1 cup): This is what makes the sauce so decadent—swap for half-and-half if you want a lighter version.
Parmesan cheese (½ cup, grated): Finishes the sauce with that nutty, savory sharpness everyone craves.
Red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon, optional): Just a hint wakes up the flavors and adds a gentle heat—totally up to your taste buds.
Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential for balancing and enhancing every flavor in the pan.
Fresh parsley for garnish: Sprinkling this on top just before serving gives your pasta a fresh, herby kick and bright color.

How to Make Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start things off by boiling your favorite pasta in well-salted water. This step sounds simple, but the pasta’s flavor gets its foundation here, and you want it perfectly al dente. Before draining, be sure to scoop out about half a cup of the cooking water—you’ll see how it magically brings the sauce together later.

Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Mushrooms

In a big skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, then the garlic. Sauté the garlic just until it’s fragrant (not browned), which takes about 30 seconds, so keep an eye out. Next, toss in the sliced mushrooms and let them cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring just occasionally—they’re ready when deeply golden and tender, which sets a savory, earthy base for your Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe.

Step 3: Wilt the Spinach

Add the fresh spinach straight onto the mushrooms and sauté just until it’s wilted. This only takes about a minute or two! The spinach should turn bright and soft, mingling beautifully with your mushrooms and giving the dish that signature emerald swirl.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

Turn the heat down just a tad and pour in the heavy cream along with the grated Parmesan. Stir everything together as it comes up to a gentle simmer—the cheese melts in, the cream thickens, and you’re left with an irresistibly silky sauce that hugs every ingredient.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Toss your cooked pasta right into the skillet, gently folding it into that creamy, garlicky mixture. If the sauce feels a bit thick, no worries—add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches the exact luscious consistency you crave. Season generously with salt, pepper, and the optional red pepper flakes, tasting along the way to make sure every bite will sing. Garnish with a smattering of chopped parsley before serving.

How to Serve Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

For a restaurant-worthy finish, I like to shower the pasta with more fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. You can add cracked black pepper or a pinch of lemon zest for fragrance. If you love a touch of spice, another light dusting of red pepper flakes works wonders.

Side Dishes

Pair your Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe with a crisp green salad drizzled with lemony vinaigrette for balance. Some crusty garlic bread or flaky focaccia are also fabulous choices to mop up every bit of sauce. If you’re after extra protein, serve alongside simple grilled chicken or shrimp.

Creative Ways to Present

Elevate the experience by twirling the pasta into nests with tongs for each plate, then tucking a sautéed mushroom or two on top. Serving family-style in a big, shallow dish always invites folks to dig in together. Or, try spooning the creamy mixture atop a bed of zoodles for a lighter, veggie-forward twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays delicious for up to three days—the flavors meld together even more, making for fantastic next-day lunches or dinners.

Freezing

While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions if absolutely necessary. Place cooled servings in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to two months. Keep in mind that creamy sauces may separate a bit when thawed, but a little patience when reheating will help reset the texture.

Reheating

For the best results, warm your pasta gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream and stirring often until the sauce turns silky again. You can also microwave individual servings, but pause to stir halfway through and add a drizzle of liquid to prevent the sauce from drying out.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of pasta?

Absolutely! While spaghetti and penne are classics for the Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe, feel free to use fusilli, farfalle, or even a whole wheat variety for a heartier texture. The key is to pick a noodle that will capture plenty of sauce.

How do I make the dish dairy-free?

To make this recipe dairy-free, swap the heavy cream for a plant-based alternative like coconut cream or oat milk, and use a vegan Parmesan-style cheese. The results are still creamy and lush, but perfectly suited for those avoiding dairy.

Can I add protein to this pasta?

Definitely! Grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or even crisped tofu are all lovely additions to Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe. Cook your chosen protein separately and toss it in just before serving for a more filling meal.

Will frozen spinach work instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen spinach can step in if fresh isn’t available—just thaw it completely and squeeze out extra moisture before adding to your skillet. The texture won’t be quite as vibrant, but the flavor still works beautifully.

Is the sauce supposed to be thick or thin?

This sauce leans on the creamy side, but should lightly coat the pasta without feeling heavy. Use reserved pasta water to loosen things up if needed, so you get that perfect, glossy finish associated with a restaurant-quality Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dish that wows with both flavor and simplicity, you truly can’t go wrong with this Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe. I hope you’ll give it a try and make it your own—your kitchen and your taste buds are in for a treat!

Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy a comforting and creamy Spinach Mushroom Pasta dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in. This vegetarian recipe is quick to make and bursting with flavors of garlic, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

12 ounces pasta (spaghetti or penne)

Sauce:

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
5 ounces fresh spinach
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
salt and black pepper to taste
fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.
Sauté Garlic and Mushrooms: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add mushrooms, cook until golden.
Add Spinach and Cream: Add spinach, cook until wilted. Stir in cream and Parmesan, simmer gently.
Combine and Season: Add pasta to the skillet, toss to coat. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.