Mushroom Ricotta Pasta Recipe
This creamy Mushroom Ricotta Pasta combines tender cremini mushrooms sautéed to golden perfection with a luscious ricotta and Parmesan cheese sauce. Perfect for a quick and comforting vegetarian meal, this dish balances savory flavors and a smooth, rich texture that coats your favorite pasta beautifully. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet simple.
- Author: Victoria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 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)
Mushroom Mixture
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Be sure to reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta; this starchy water will help in creating a smooth sauce.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they become golden brown and softened, releasing their earthy flavor.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it to maintain its delicate aroma.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sautéed mushrooms. Fold in the ricotta cheese mixture evenly to coat the pasta.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Slowly pour in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, stirring gently until the sauce reaches your desired consistency, ensuring it is creamy and coats the pasta nicely.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning if necessary with more salt or pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a fresh, vibrant touch before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is achieved.
- Cremini mushrooms can be substituted with button or shiitake mushrooms for different flavor profiles.
- For a nuttier taste, consider adding toasted pine nuts or walnuts as a topping.
- If ricotta is not available, a blend of cream cheese and sour cream can be used as an alternative.
- To make this dish vegan, substitute ricotta and Parmesan with plant-based cheese options and use nutritional yeast for extra umami flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Mushroom pasta, ricotta pasta, creamy mushroom pasta, vegetarian pasta recipe, quick pasta dinner