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Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta

brown butter mushroom pasta - featured image

A rich and nutty brown butter sauce paired with earthy mushrooms and al dente pasta creates a comforting yet sophisticated dish that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz fettuccine, spaghetti, or any long pasta
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 8 oz button, cremini, or a mix of wild mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes or a splash of white wine

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 5 tablespoons of butter. Stir frequently as it foams and turns golden brown. Set aside 1 tablespoon for topping later.
  3. Add olive oil to the skillet along with the sliced mushrooms. Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and tender. Stir in minced garlic and thyme and cook for another minute.
  4. Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in the brown butter and mushroom mixture. Gradually add reserved pasta water (a few tablespoons at a time) to create a silky sauce.
  5. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Transfer pasta to bowls, drizzle with reserved brown butter, and garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For a vegan version, use vegan butter and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter, mushroom pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, comfort food