If you are craving something creamy, comforting, and ready in under 30 minutes, this Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta Skillet is your new best friend. Packed with earthy mushrooms, tender spinach, and cheesy pasta, it is the kind of dish that feels both cozy and fancy, without the fuss. Perfect for busy weeknights when you still want a homemade meal that tastes like love.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- One skillet cleanup saves time.
- Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor.
- Endless variations with chicken, shrimp, or sausage.
Ingredients You Need
Each ingredient has a role in making this pasta skillet shine:
- Pasta: Any short pasta works. It soaks up the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Mushrooms: Earthy and hearty, they make this dish filling.
- Spinach: Brings freshness, color, and nutrients.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds that nutty, savory kick.
- Garlic: Builds bold flavor in the skillet.
- Olive oil and butter: The base for a silky sauce.
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce rich and indulgent.
- Salt and pepper: Essential to balance flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for a skillet full of cheesy perfection:
- Cook the pasta until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown.
- Stir in garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add spinach and let it wilt gently into the mushroom mixture.
- Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer until slightly thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until creamy and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta, tossing until every piece is coated with sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
Mistakes To Avoid
- Do not overcook the pasta, or it will turn mushy in the skillet.
- Avoid skipping the browning of mushrooms. Golden mushrooms bring big flavor.
- Do not add Parmesan too early, or it may clump instead of melting into a creamy sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta Skillet pairs beautifully with a fresh resep salad for balance. For a heartier meal, try adding chicken for a Chicken Mushroom Spinach Pasta or sausage for a Spinach Mushroom Sausage Pasta. You can even swap in shrimp for a Shrimp Mushroom Spinach Pasta twist. If you love vegetarian comfort, pair it with crusty garlic bread and enjoy it as a health dinner option that fits easily into your week.
Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta Skillet
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Pot
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz short pasta such as penne or fusilli
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Add the mushrooms and cook until golden brown.
- Stir in garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add spinach and let it wilt into the mushroom mixture.
- Pour in the heavy cream and simmer until slightly thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until creamy and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated with sauce.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
FAQs
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Yes, you can use milk, but the sauce will be lighter and less creamy. To keep that indulgent feel, add a small spoon of cream cheese or an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. This way your pasta spinach mushrooms dish still feels satisfying without heavy cream.
How do I keep the spinach from getting soggy?
The trick is to add spinach at the end. Spinach cooks very quickly, so stir it in just before adding the pasta back to the skillet. This keeps the leaves tender but not mushy, giving you the best spinach and mushroom pasta texture.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can cook the pasta and sauce separately, then combine just before serving. If reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce. Pasta with spinach mushrooms tends to thicken as it sits, so freshening it with liquid brings it back to creamy perfection.
Conclusion
Simple, hearty, and endlessly adaptable, this Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta Skillet is the perfect cozy meal to add to your weeknight rotation. Whether you keep it vegetarian or mix in protein like chicken or shrimp, it will always deliver flavor and comfort. Save this recipe and pin it now so you can come back whenever you crave creamy pasta goodness.
