Creamy Mushroom Garlic Noodles
Buttery garlic, deeply browned mushrooms, and silky parmesan sauce clinging to tender noodles. This Creamy Mushroom Garlic Noodles recipe is exactly the sort of weeknight dinner that tastes like you tried very hard, even when you absolutely did not.
Recipe at a Glance
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
- Bake: Not applicable
- Chill: Not applicable
- Rest: None
- Total: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4 bowls
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine or wide egg noodles
- 3 tbsp salted butter
- 16 oz cremini or baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup heavy cream (or oat cream)
- ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan
- Salt, black pepper, chopped parsley
How to Make Creamy Mushroom Garlic Noodles
1. Cook the noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or wide egg noodles and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Before draining, scoop out ½ cup of the pasta water and set it aside. The starchy water is your safety net if the sauce becomes too thick.
2. Brown the mushrooms
Melt the butter in a wide sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms in as close to a single layer as possible. Let them cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes so the bottoms can brown. Stir and continue cooking another 3 to 4 minutes until the mushrooms are deeply golden and their moisture has cooked away.
3. Add the garlic and thyme
Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic and fresh thyme. Stir for about 60 seconds, just until the garlic becomes fragrant. Do not let the garlic become dark brown because it can turn bitter.
4. Make the cream sauce
Pour in the heavy cream or oat cream. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the cream simmer gently for about 2 minutes. Add the freshly grated parmesan and stir until it melts into a smooth, glossy sauce.
5. Toss everything together
Add the drained noodles directly to the sauce. Toss until every strand is coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add the reserved pasta water a splash at a time until it becomes silky and coats the noodles without becoming watery. Season with salt and black pepper, then finish with chopped parsley.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Mushrooms are watery: Do not crowd the pan. Give them enough heat and time to release moisture and brown.
- Sauce is too thick: Add reserved pasta water one splash at a time.
- Sauce is too thin: Let it simmer gently for another minute or two before adding more cheese.
- Cheese is clumping: Keep the heat moderate and use freshly grated parmesan when possible.
- Noodles feel dry: Toss them with sauce immediately after draining and use pasta water to loosen the mixture.
Easy Substitutions
- Dairy-free: Use oat or coconut cream and a dairy-free parmesan alternative.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free noodles and follow the package cooking time.
- Mushrooms: Cremini, baby bella, shiitake, or a mixed mushroom blend can work.
- Herbs: Parsley can be swapped for chives or another fresh herb you enjoy.
Storage and Reheating
Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. The sauce naturally thickens as it chills. Reheat gently over low heat with a splash of cream or reserved pasta water until silky again. Cream-based pasta is best enjoyed fresh and is not an ideal freezer recipe because the sauce can separate after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use another type of mushroom?
Absolutely. Cremini and baby bellas are easy choices, but shiitake or a mixed mushroom blend can add more depth.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prep the mushrooms, garlic, thyme, and other ingredients ahead, but the noodles and sauce are best finished close to serving.
How do I keep the sauce silky?
Use moderate heat, freshly grated parmesan, and a little pasta water. The starch helps the sauce cling to the noodles.
More Easy Noodle Dinners
For another cozy bowl, browse Noodles & Rice. You can also use Recipes by Budget to plan around what is already in your pantry or visit What Should I Make? for another dinner idea.
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