Mushroom Ricotta Pasta Recipe
This Mushroom Ricotta Pasta recipe offers a creamy, comforting dish combining sautéed cremini mushrooms with smooth ricotta and Parmesan cheese, tossed with your favorite pasta. Perfect for a quick and satisfying vegetarian meal, it balances rich flavors with simple ingredients for an elegant yet easy dinner.
- Author: Bennett
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
Vegetables
- 1 lb (450g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Mushrooms: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown and softened.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the mushrooms and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the mushrooms. Fold in the ricotta mixture gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Gradually add the reserved pasta water little by little, stirring to achieve a creamy sauce that clings nicely to the pasta. Add more water if needed for your preferred consistency.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Finish by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cremini mushrooms with button or portobello mushrooms for varied texture and flavor.
- Reserve pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce that binds to the pasta perfectly.
- For a nuttier flavor, try adding toasted pine nuts or walnuts as a garnish.
- This dish can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and gently reheated with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: mushroom ricotta pasta, creamy mushroom pasta, vegetarian pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, Italian pasta dish