If you’re craving a restaurant-quality dinner that’s as comforting as it is effortless, look no further than Spinach Mushroom Pasta. This dish brings together earthy mushrooms, vibrant greens, and a luxuriously creamy sauce tossed with your favorite pasta shape. It’s a weeknight hero and a dinner party crowd-pleaser all in one bowl. With simple ingredients and rich flavors, Spinach Mushroom Pasta has quickly become one of those recipes I keep returning to—especially when I want something both nourishing and absolutely irresistible.

Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

All you need are a handful of pantry staples and some fresh veggies to make this dish shine! Each ingredient here is carefully chosen for its role in taste, creamy texture, or a pop of color that makes Spinach Mushroom Pasta as beautiful as it is delicious.

8 oz pasta: Use penne, fettuccine, or your go-to pasta for the perfect base that grips all that luscious sauce.

1 tablespoon olive oil or butter: Adds richness and helps achieve golden, flavorful mushrooms.
8 oz mushrooms, sliced: Baby bella or white mushrooms bring hearty texture and deep umami to every bite.

3–4 cups fresh spinach: Gives a boost of freshness, color, and loads of nutrients to the pasta.
3 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the whole dish with savory aroma and a flavor punch.

½ teaspoon salt: Essential for balancing flavors throughout the sauce and veggies.
¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds gentle heat and rounds out the savory profile.
½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half: Creates that irresistibly creamy sauce with just the right amount of richness—even half-and-half works great for a lighter touch.

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping): Brings savoriness and a velvety finish; don’t forget extra for serving!
½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed): Helps marry the pasta with the sauce and ensures perfect silky consistency.

How to Make Spinach Mushroom Pasta

Step 1: Cook Your Pasta

Get a big pot of salted water boiling, and drop in your favorite pasta. Cook until al dente—just tender but with a pleasant bite. Before you drain it, scoop out about half a cup of that starchy pasta water and set it aside; it’s a secret trick for the dreamiest sauce later.

Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the sliced mushrooms and let them cook, undisturbed at first, until they start to caramelize. Stir occasionally and continue cooking until they’re golden-brown and tender, about 6–7 minutes. This step builds the savory, earthy backbone of your Spinach Mushroom Pasta.

Step 3: Add Garlic & Spinach

Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper with the sautéed mushrooms. You’ll catch an instant aroma! Add the spinach in handfuls—don’t worry if the skillet looks overly full at first. In just 2–3 minutes, the spinach will wilt beautifully, tucking itself right into those golden mushrooms.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

Reduce the heat slightly, then pour in the heavy cream (or half-and-half, if you want it lighter). Stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit and coats the back of your spoon.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Add the cooked pasta right into the skillet. Toss everything together, loosening the sauce with splashes of your reserved pasta water until it clings perfectly to every noodle. This is when Spinach Mushroom Pasta truly comes together—silky, glossy, and impossible to resist!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop generous portions into bowls and shower with extra Parmesan. Serve Spinach Mushroom Pasta warm, when the sauce is at peak creaminess and the greens are still vibrant. It’s magic in a bowl!

How to Serve Spinach Mushroom Pasta

Garnishes

Dress each plate with a flourish of shaved Parmesan, a few cracks of fresh black pepper, and maybe a sprinkling of fresh parsley or basil if you have it on hand. A drizzle of good olive oil right before serving takes Spinach Mushroom Pasta to a whole new level.

Side Dishes

Pair this creamy pasta with a crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or a side of garlic bread for extra comfort. Roasted veggies, like asparagus or cherry tomatoes, are also a delicious and colorful pairing for Spinach Mushroom Pasta.

Creative Ways to Present

For a touch of elegance, try serving individual portions in shallow pasta bowls with a Parmesan crisp perched on top. Or serve Spinach Mushroom Pasta family-style in a big rustic platter for everyone to help themselves—it’s a real showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got extra pasta? Cool it quickly and transfer to an airtight container. Spinach Mushroom Pasta stores beautifully in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors even deepen, so leftovers are always a treat!

Freezing

While creamy sauces don’t freeze quite as perfectly as tomato-based ones, you can freeze Spinach Mushroom Pasta if you portion it into airtight containers. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and be prepared to stir in a little extra cream or milk when reheating to restore its silkiness.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream, milk, or even reserved pasta water if you have it on hand. The sauce will loosen and become creamy again. Stir occasionally so everything warms through evenly and nothing sticks.

FAQs

What type of pasta works best for Spinach Mushroom Pasta?

Penne and fettuccine are my favorites, but almost any shape works as long as it can hold that creamy sauce. Use what you have on hand—short or long, it’s all delicious with these flavors.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen spinach works in a pinch! Just thaw it thoroughly and squeeze out excess water before adding to your skillet. The result is still rich and tasty, though the color may be a bit deeper.

How do I make it vegan?

Swap the cream for canned coconut milk or a plant-based cream, and use vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor. Olive oil is your go-to for sautéing instead of butter.

What mushrooms are best for Spinach Mushroom Pasta?

Baby bella or white mushrooms are classic choices, but you can elevate the dish by tossing in a mix of wild mushrooms like shiitake or cremini for even more flavor complexity.

Can I add protein to this dish?

Absolutely! Grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or even canned chickpeas can be tossed in at the end for a heartier Spinach Mushroom Pasta. Just be sure your protein is cooked before adding it to the skillet.

Final Thoughts

Don’t be surprised if Spinach Mushroom Pasta becomes your new weeknight staple or the meal your friends beg you to make again. It’s that irresistible combination of simple, wholesome, and utterly comforting. Give it a go, and let it bring a little extra joy (and flavor!) to your home kitchen.

Spinach Mushroom Pasta Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 16 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delightful spinach mushroom pasta recipe that is creamy, flavorful, and easy to make. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
Sauté Mushrooms: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet. Cook mushrooms until golden and tender, about 6–7 minutes.

Add Garlic & Spinach: Stir in garlic, salt, and pepper. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
Make Sauce: Pour in cream and stir in Parmesan cheese. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Combine Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.

Serve: Sprinkle with more Parmesan and serve warm.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380
Sugar: 2g

Sodium: 420mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g

Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g

Fiber: 3g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: Spinach Mushroom Pasta, Creamy Pasta Recipe, Easy Pasta Dinner