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To make Creamy Tuscan Mushroom Pasta, gather these ingredients: - 8 oz fettuccine or your favorite pasta - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 12 oz mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, or button), sliced - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 teaspoon dried basil - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup heavy cream - ½ cup vegetable broth - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish You can make some easy swaps if you need to. Use any pasta you like, not just fettuccine. You can use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce. If you want a vegan option, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. Swap fresh herbs for dried ones if you don’t have them. For a twist, add spinach or kale to the mix. This dish serves four people. Each serving has about: - Calories: 520 - Protein: 15g - Carbohydrates: 65g - Dietary Fiber: 3g - Fat: 24g - Saturated Fat: 12g - Sodium: 400mg This pasta is rich and filling. Enjoy it as a main dish, but also be mindful of portion sizes if you want to keep it light! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, you need to cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of fettuccine. Cook it until al dente, as per the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside. Don’t forget to save ½ cup of the pasta water. Next, sauté the aromatics. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped onion. Sauté it for about 3 to 4 minutes until it turns translucent. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute. This step makes your kitchen smell amazing! Now, add the mushrooms. Toss in 12 oz of sliced mixed mushrooms. Season them with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1 teaspoon of dried basil. Cook everything for about 5 to 6 minutes until the mushrooms soften and brown nicely. Incorporate the cherry tomatoes next. Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they start to soften. This adds a juicy burst to the dish. Now, make the sauce. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and ½ cup of vegetable broth. Stir well to mix. Allow this to gently simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes. This is where the sauce gets creamy and rich! Combine everything now. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together. If it looks dry, add some reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach the creaminess you like. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Prep time takes about 10 minutes. Cooking the pasta should take around 10 minutes. Sautéing the onion and garlic takes about 5 minutes. Cooking the mushrooms takes another 6 minutes. Finally, simmering the sauce takes 4 minutes. In total, you’ll spend about 30 minutes on this dish. - Pasta: Use plenty of salt in the water for flavor. - Aromatics: Watch the onion closely to avoid burning. - Mushrooms: Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. - Sauce: Stir gently to prevent sticking and burning. - Combining: Toss the pasta well to coat every piece in sauce. When making creamy Tuscan mushroom pasta, avoid overcooking the pasta. It should be al dente. If you cook it too long, it will become mushy. Also, do not rush the sautéing of the onions and garlic. This step adds depth to your dish. Lastly, be careful with the salt. The Parmesan cheese already adds saltiness, so taste as you go. To make this dish, you need a few tools. Use a large pot for boiling pasta. A non-stick skillet works best for sautéing. A sharp knife will help you chop the onions and garlic. A wooden spoon is great for stirring. Lastly, a measuring cup is useful for the cream and broth. To enhance flavor, try adding fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary. They brighten the dish and add freshness. A squeeze of lemon juice adds a nice zing too. For a kick, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. If you want a richer taste, consider using a mix of mushrooms. Cremini, shiitake, and button mushrooms together create a great flavor. Pro Tips Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil adds a vibrant flavor to the dish. If possible, use fresh herbs instead of dried for a more aromatic experience. Don't Overcook the Pasta: Cook the fettuccine until al dente to maintain a pleasant texture that will hold up in the creamy sauce. Reserve Pasta Water: Always save some pasta water before draining. It can be used to adjust the sauce's consistency and enhance flavor. Experiment with Mushrooms: Try different varieties of mushrooms to find your favorite combination. Each type adds its unique flavor and texture to the dish. {{image_2}} You can make this dish vegan by swapping the heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a cheesy flavor. Instead of butter, use olive oil or vegan butter to sauté the veggies. These changes keep the dish creamy and rich without dairy. For a gluten-free version, choose gluten-free pasta made from rice or chickpeas. Many brands offer tasty options that mimic regular pasta. Just follow the cooking instructions on the package, as cooking times can vary. This way, everyone can enjoy this delicious meal! Feel free to change the mushrooms based on what's fresh. Try adding asparagus in spring or butternut squash in fall. You can also switch cherry tomatoes for sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper flavor. Mixing in seasonal greens like spinach or kale can add color and nutrition to your dish. To keep your Creamy Tuscan Mushroom Pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Make sure to cool the pasta first. Once cooled, place it in the fridge. Use it within three days for the best taste. To reheat, simply warm the pasta in a skillet. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it creamy. Heat on low, stirring gently, until it's hot. You can also use the microwave. Just cover it and heat in short bursts, stirring often. If you want to freeze the pasta, use a freezer-safe container. It can last up to two months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat as mentioned above for the best results. Yes, you can use different pasta shapes. Bowtie, penne, or spaghetti work well. Choose a pasta that holds the sauce nicely. For a different texture, try whole wheat or gluten-free pasta. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on the type you choose. To thicken the sauce, add more Parmesan cheese. You can also use cornstarch mixed with water. Another option is to simmer the sauce longer. This helps it reduce and become creamier. Just be careful not to overcook the pasta when you add it back in. A fresh green salad pairs nicely. Consider a Caesar salad or arugula with lemon. Garlic bread also complements this dish well. Roasted vegetables can add color and flavor. For a lighter option, serve it with steamed broccoli or asparagus. In this blog post, we explored the ingredients for Creamy Tuscan Mushroom Pasta, including substitutions and nutritional data. I gave you step-by-step cooking instructions for the perfect dish, along with tips to avoid common mistakes. We discussed flavor enhancements, variations for different diets, and best storage practices. Cooking can be fun and easy with these insights. With the right ingredients and methods, you can create a delicious meal. Enjoy your cooking journey!

Creamy Tuscan Mushroom Pasta

A rich and creamy pasta dish featuring mushrooms, tomatoes, and herbs.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz fettuccine or your favorite pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 oz mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, or button), sliced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup vegetable broth
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
  • Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet or pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Add the Mushrooms: Toss in the sliced mushrooms and season with salt, pepper, thyme, and basil. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the mushrooms are soft and browned.
  • Incorporate the Tomatoes: Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
  • Make the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and vegetable broth, stirring to combine. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, cooking for about 3-4 minutes.
  • Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired creaminess is achieved. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
  • Serve: Remove from heat and serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Serve with extra Parmesan and fresh basil for garnish.
Keyword creamy, mushrooms, pasta, Tuscan