Easy Mushroom Garlic Spaghetti Recipe
This Easy Mushroom Garlic Spaghetti is a simple yet flavorful pasta dish featuring tender cremini mushrooms sautéed with garlic, tossed with whole wheat spaghetti, Pecorino Romano cheese, and fresh parsley. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it boasts a creamy texture thanks to the reserved pasta water and a robust taste from the Pecorino cheese.
- Author: Lisa
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Spaghetti
- 12 ounces spaghetti, whole wheat or your favorite brand
Sautéed Mushroom Garlic Mixture
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 4–6 garlic cloves, chopped
- Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving
- 2–3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 12 ounces of spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 2/3 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms and Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms and cook them until they become tender and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the chopped 4-6 garlic cloves and season the mixture with a pinch of kosher salt and ground pepper. Cook for an additional minute to allow the garlic to release its fragrance.
- Toss Pasta with Mushroom Mixture: Keeping the skillet on the heat, add the drained spaghetti to the mushroom and garlic mixture. Pour in the 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese along with the reserved pasta water. Using tongs, toss everything well until the cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce that evenly coats the pasta.
- Add Fresh Parsley and Serve: Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves for a bright, fresh finish. Serve immediately, topping with additional Pecorino Romano cheese if desired.
Notes
- Don’t forget to reserve the pasta water! It adds starch that helps thicken the sauce and create a creamy texture.
- For quicker prep, purchase pre-sliced mushrooms. Avoid canned mushrooms for best flavor and texture.
- Use spaghetti or other long pasta noodles as the sauce clings better to these shapes compared to shells or macaroni.
- Pecorino Romano offers a more robust flavor than Parmesan, making your dish uniquely savory and tangy.
- Store leftover pasta in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Keywords: mushroom garlic spaghetti, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian spaghetti, cremini mushroom pasta, quick dinner pasta, Pecorino Romano pasta