Mushroom Pasta Recipe: 6 Tips for Cooking Mushroom Pasta

You can describe multiple dishes that incorporate mushrooms and pasta as a mushroom pasta, but the terminology usually describes a traditionally Italian dish made with a long noodle, like linguine or fettuccine, served in a creamy sauce with sautéed mushrooms, such as shiitake, cremini, or oyster mushrooms.

You can make mushroom pasta using many different types of fungi and pasta, but here are tips to ensure you achieve satisfying results:

1. 1. Use mushrooms of the same size. For the best results, choose mushrooms of roughly the same size, or cut or tear the mushrooms into equal-sized pieces.
2. 2. Avoid overcrowding in the pan. When you add your mushrooms to the pan, avoid piling them on top of one another. Overcrowding your pan with fungi could result in steamed rather than seared mushrooms.
3. 3. Dry the mushrooms thoroughly. Mushrooms absorb water readily, so dry them well after you wash them to ensure the proper texture as they brown. Rather than fully submerging them in water, try wiping any dirt off the mushrooms with a damp paper towel.
4. 4. You can substitute for heavy cream. Creamy mushroom pasta traditionally incorporates heavy cream, but you can also use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even dry white wine. If you use a broth or wine, add the liquid and a little lemon juice to a pan of cooked mushrooms, shallots, and garlic. Then combine your completed mushroom sauce with your fully cooked pasta.
5. 5. Try a variety of mushrooms. Different mushrooms will alter the flavor profile of mushroom pasta, so you can try different types or even mix in multiple fungi. Use or combine maitake, oyster, cremini, shiitake, baby bella, portobello, or white button mushrooms. Your ratio of mushrooms to pasta can range from 1:1 up to 3:1.
6. 6. Add vegetables and herbs. Mushrooms and pasta are the stars of the dish, but a variety of vegetables and fresh herbs can make the dish extra flavorful in unique ways. Depending on your personal tastes, you may want to try adding red pepper flakes, fresh thyme, spinach, broccoli, or others.