Creamy Pasta with Crispy Mushrooms

A luxurious pasta dish featuring crispy mixed mushrooms and shallots in a creamy parmesan sauce, brightened with lemon and fresh parsley. This restaurant-quality meal combines the earthiness of mushrooms with the richness of cream and sharp parmesan.

4 servings
32 min

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb mixed mushrooms
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 2 medium shallots
  • 1 lb spaghetti or bucatini
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ whole lemon
  • cup parsley
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ oz Parmesan
  • 1 to taste black pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large pot over medium-high. Cook half of mushrooms in a single layer, undisturbed, until edges are brown and starting to crisp, about 3 minutes. Give mushrooms a toss and continue to cook, tossing occasionally, until all sides are brown and crisp, about 5 minutes more. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to a plate; season with salt. Repeat with remaining 2 Tbsp. oil and mushrooms and more salt.

    16 min

  2. 2.

    Reduce heat to medium-low and return all of the mushrooms to the pot. Add shallots and cook, stirring often, until shallots are translucent and softened, about 2 minutes.

    2 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions.

    8 min

  4. 4.

    Using tongs, transfer pasta to pot with mushrooms and add cream and 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Increase heat to medium, bring to a simmer, and cook, tossing constantly, until pasta is al dente and liquid is slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.

    3 min

  5. 5.

    Remove pot from heat. Add lemon zest and juice, parsley, butter, 1/2 oz. Parmesan, and lots of pepper and toss to combine. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

    2 min

  6. 6.

    Divide pasta among bowls and top with more Parmesan.

    1 min