Description
This Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta is a creamy, restaurant-quality dish featuring a rich brown butter sauce, sautéed mixed mushrooms, and fresh thyme. Perfectly paired with your choice of pasta like pappardelle or fettuccine, this flavorful recipe is easy to prepare and ideal for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (pappardelle, tagliatelle, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
Sauce and Toppings
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 pound mixed mushrooms, sliced (cremini, porcini, wild, etc.)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Brown the Butter and Sauté Mushrooms: In a large non-stick skillet over low heat, melt the unsalted butter until it starts to foam and brown slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add the sliced mushrooms along with a pinch of kosher salt. Stir frequently and cook for 5-6 minutes until the mushrooms reduce in size and develop a golden color.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, allowing the garlic to become fragrant without burning.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the mushrooms, breaking up any clumps by stirring gently. Pour in the heavy cream and lemon juice, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme. Add enough reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and prevent clumping, stirring gently to combine. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Serve: Toss the pasta gently to ensure it is evenly coated with the sauce. Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme, if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a heartier dish, add sliced grilled chicken or steak to the pasta before serving.
- Use a mix of mushrooms to deepen the flavor and add texture.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic; add it after the mushrooms have cooked down.
- The reserved pasta water helps achieve a silky sauce consistency.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with other herbs like parsley or oregano depending on preference.
