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    Home / Recipes / Vegan Entrees

    Creamy Mushroom Pasta

    Published: Dec 28, 2022 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Create a creamy mushroom pasta in under 30 minutes! Loaded with marinated sauteed mushrooms in a thick and creamy sauce made with whole-food ingredients, this mushroom pasta recipe is comfort food to die for!

    Creamy Mushroom pasta recipe on a plate served with parsley garnish.

    Nothing screams comfort food like creamy mushroom pasta. So when I walked into the farmer's market, I found an array of mushrooms. Typically, I have to shop at an Asian market to find different types of mushrooms. Today, however, the farmers market surprised me with various mushrooms to cook my creamy mushroom pasta recipe. 

    Jump to:
    • The Benefits of Eating Mushrooms
    • Mushroom Pasta Ingredients
    • Mushroom Pasta Ingredients
    • Mushroom Pasta Ingredient Substitutions
    • Shallots and Leeks
    • How to Make Mushroom Pasta
    • Marinating the Mushrooms
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips
    • Vegan Pasta Recipes You'll Love!
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    A beautiful, aromatic, creamy mushroom sauce coats hot-cooked spaghetti noodles in this quick dish. Although I chose spaghetti noodles for this creamy mushroom sensation, any noodle, shape and size, or gluten-free, can be used for this mushroom pasta recipe. 

    The Benefits of Eating Mushrooms

    Mushrooms on a cutting board.

    I love mushrooms, but I've learned over time mushrooms should be cooked and never eaten raw.  Others debate this issue, but as a rule, I always cook my mushrooms. 

    According to Joel Fuhrman, MD, in his article "Mighty Mushrooms: Boost Immune Function and Brain Health and Guard Against Cancer," claims mushrooms are one of the best sources of healing properties:

    • Strengthen the immune system.
    • Breast cancer prevention effects.
    • Protects the brain from oxidative stress. 
    • And mushrooms should only be eaten cooked. This is because several raw culinary mushrooms contain small amounts of a potentially carcinogenic substance called agaritine, and cooking mushrooms significantly reduces agaritine content.

    With that said, I eat cooked mushrooms often and add them to many recipes. 

    Mushroom Pasta Ingredients

    I am adding white wine to the keel and onion mixture in a pan on the stove.

    Mushroom Pasta Ingredients

    • Whole Grain Spaghetti: Whole-wheat pasta is made with the whole grain kernel, retaining what makes it most healthy and desirable.
    • Mushrooms: I chose various mushrooms with different textures and flavors.
    • Shallot: Shallots have a delicate and sweet flavor with a hint of sharpness, while onions bring a more intense heat. 
    • Leek: Leeks taste like a mild version of an onion, with the same base flavor but far less intensity. They are delicate and sweeter than other members of their cultivar group. Traditionally, the white part and light green middle are eaten, while the green tops are often discarded.
    • Garlic: I prefer using fresh cloves of garlic as opposed to jarred garlic.
    • Dry White Wine: I used a mini bottle of Chardonnay. I buy mini bottles of red and white wine, so I have it on hand for cooking.
    • Vegetable Broth: I buy organic vegetable broth in bulk at Costco because I often use it.
    • Tomato Paste: The tomato paste gives the sauce a rich, robust flavor.
    • Raw Cashews: The raw cashews provide the creaminess to the pasta; however, look below for ingredient substitutions for nut-free options.
    • Nutritional Yeast: The nutritional yeast provides vitamin B12 and a cheesy flavor.
    • Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard gives the mushroom pasta a bold flavor.

    Mushroom Pasta Ingredient Substitutions

    • Choose any pasta type of shape you prefer.
    • Any combination of mushrooms, or a single type of mushrooms work well.
    • Red onion is often a substitute for shallots.
    • Green onions substitute leeks in recipes.
    • Garlic flakes, also called dehydrated (or dried) minced garlic, use ½ teaspoon of garlic flakes in place of each clove. Granulated garlic: Use ¼ teaspoon of granulated garlic in place of each clove. Garlic powder: Use ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder in place of each clove.
    • Try alcohol-free white wine, white grape juice, or lemon juice instead of wine.
    • Tomato sauce or even ketchup replaces tomato paste.
    • Instead of cashews, use silken tofu, plain plant-based yogurt, sunflower seeds, or white beans for a nut-free option. Or use ¼ cup of flour of your choice.
    • Miso paste, soy sauce, coconut aminos, or Tamari often replace nutritional yeast in recipes.
    • Stone-ground mustard is an immediate replacement for dijon mustard.

    Shallots and Leeks

    I'm a savory sauce lover. However, making a healthy, savory sauce requires the right combination of whole-foods ingredients.

    For instance, leeks and shallots work perfectly together to create the start of a beautiful, naturally flavored sauce. Then, the rest comes together in one pan.

    Shallots are sweet and mild with a flavor of garlic and onions. The flavor is delicate, but the pungency is stronger than other onions.

    On the other hand, Leeks have an even milder flavor and taste more like green onions.

    Together, however, leeks and shallots create perfect harmony in a pan. 

    But remember, leeks are very dirty with layers of hidden debris. As a result, be sure to cut the leafy ends and the end root.

    Then, make a slit down the length of the leek, and wash the dirt between the layers. 

    Once the leeks and shallots are minced, saute them with garlic and add a little white wine. 

    As a tip, I buy mini bottles of Chardonnay for cooking to avoid drinking the rest (haha).

    How to Make Mushroom Pasta

    Creamy mushroom pasta recipe on a plate served with broccolini and garnished with parsley on the table.

    First, I used my Cuisinart  Mini Chopper to mince the shallots, leeks, and garlic. Even though you can dice the shallots and garlic, I prefer the smaller ones to avoid large chunks of either in the sauce. 

    Once minced, I place the shallots and onions in a skillet and saute until the shallots are translucent and begin to brown in the pan.

    Then, I add the white wine, which immediately causes the shallots and garlic to carmelize. Next, I add a little vegetable broth, reduce the heat to low, and allow the vegetable broth to dissipate before adding the tomato paste.

    I am whisking the tomato pasta into the onion mixture.

    In the meantime, combine the raw cashews, vegetable broth, dijon mustard, and nutritional yeast, and blend using a high-speed blender until creamy. 

    Then, add the cashew cream and whisk and add vegetable broth and tomato paste. In the end, the sauce will thicken as the ingredients are whisked together. 

    Creamy mushroom sauce in a pan with a whisk.

    Marinating the Mushrooms

    To give the mushrooms a savory taste, marinate them before sauteing them and adding them to the creamy mushroom pasta. Also, I cooked the mushrooms separately to ensure they were firm in texture and cooked to a savory brown color. 

    I am sauteing mushrooms in a skillet in the marinade.

    When the mushrooms are cooked and the pasta is drained, I add the noodles to the cooked sauce, tossing the pasta in the sauce. 

    I am adding whole-grain spaghetti to the creamy mushroom sauce.

    To serve, place the pasta tossed in the mushroom sauce on individual plates, top with sauteed mushrooms and garnish with parsley. I also serve it with roasted broccolini to eat my greens. 

    Recipe FAQs

    What are the benefits of eating mushrooms?

    Mushrooms are a rich, low-calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They may also mitigate the risk of developing severe health conditions like Alzheimer's, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

    Which mushrooms have the most health benefits?

    Lion's mane is the miracle mushroom and one of the healthiest medicinal mushrooms you can get in your diet. It can benefit both mental and physical health. This adaptogenic mushroom has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve memory, and combat sleep disorders.

    Are mushrooms a superfood?

    They also pack a nutritional punch, are loaded with vitamins, promote a healthy immune system, and boost bone health. That's why they are considered a superfood.

    Tips

    • Marinating the mushrooms ahead of time gives them a bold, more pronounced flavor. However, you can saute the mushrooms without marinating them, and the dish is still divine.
    • Instead of cashews, use silken tofu, plain plant-based yogurt, sunflower seeds, or white beans for a nut-free option. Or use ¼ cup of flour of your choice.
    • If using flour instead of cashews, blend with a small amount of vegetable broth to avoid clumping.
    • Please add additional roasted or sauteed vegetables if you'd like. For example, I love broccolini and cauliflower in this dish.
    • Serve with a large Italian chopped salad or beet salad and some crusty bread.

    Try this creamy mushroom pasta for a quick and easy meal in under 30 minutes! It's to die for!

    Vegan Pasta Recipes You'll Love!

    • Asian Pasta Salad Recipe
    • Vegan Greek Pasta Salad
    • Spicy Peanut Noodles
    • Vegan Cajun Pasta

    If you love this creamy mushroom pasta recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Creamy mushroom pasta

    Creamy Mushroom Pasta

    Kathy Carmichael
    Create a creamy mushroom pasta recipe in under 30 minutes! Loaded with marinated sauteed mushrooms in a thick and creamy sauce made with whole-food ingredients, this mushroom pasta recipe is comfort food to die for!
    4.87 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 352 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Mushroom Sauce

    • 1 shallot minced (cut smaller than diced)
    • 1 leek minced
    • 4 cloves garlic minced (fresh is best)
    • ¼ cup dry white wine I used a mini bottle of Chardonnay
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • 2 Tablespoons tomato paste

    Cashew Cream

    • ¼ cup raw cashews
    • ½ cup vegetable broth
    • 2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
    • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

    Other Ingredients

    • 16 ounces mushrooms variety, sliced thin
    • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce or Tamari
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke (I used Hickory)
    • 8 ounces pasta of choice I used whole-grain spaghetti
    • Parsley garnish shopped

    Instructions
     

    Prepare Mushrooms

    • Clean and slice mushrooms.
    • Place mushrooms in a container or ziplock bag and add soy sauce (or Tamari), garlic, and liquid smoke.
    • Shake to combine and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight.  
    • Pour the mushrooms and remaining marinade into a skillet and cook over medium-low heat until brown.
    • Add a little vegetable broth if the mushrooms and garlic begin to stick t the pan. Water can also be used. Cook mushrooms until golden brown,

    Making the Creamy Mushroom Sauce

    • Place the shallots and onions in a skillet and saute until the shallots are translucent and begin in brown in the pan.
    • Then, I add the white wine, which immediately causes the shallots and garlic to caramelize.
    • Next, I add the vegetable broth, reduce the heat to low, and allow the vegetable broth to dissipate before adding the tomato paste.
    • Whisk in the tomato sauce.

    Cashew Cream For Sauce Thickening

    • In the meantime, combine the raw cashews, vegetable broth, dijon mustard, and nutritional yeast, and blend using a high-speed blender until creamy. 
    • Then, you add the cashew cream and whisk and add additional vegetable broth and tomato paste.
    • In the end, the sauce will thicken as the ingredients are whisked together. 
    • Add more vegetable broth to thin if it is too thick.

    Cooking the Pasta and Serving

    • Prepare the pasta according to the package directions.
    • Drain pasta.
    • Add the pasta to the sauce and gently toss.
    • Using tongs, place a serving of creamy pasta on each plate.
    • Add sauteed mushrooms and parsley.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Marinating the mushrooms ahead of time gives them a bold, more pronounced flavor. However, you can saute the mushrooms without marinating them, and the dish is still divine.
    • Instead of cashews, use silken tofu, plain plant-based yogurt, sunflower seeds, or white beans for a nut-free option. Or use ¼ cup of flour of your choice.
    • If using flour instead of cashews, blend with a small amount of vegetable broth to avoid clumping.
    • Please add additional roasted or sauteed vegetables if you'd like. For example, I love broccolini and cauliflower in this dish.
    • Serve with a large Italian chopped salad or beet salad and some crusty bread.
    • For a pasta-free option, try zucchini, carrot, or sweet potato noodles. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4gCalories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 16gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 417mgPotassium: 808mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 809IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 3mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    1. Sarah Lausevic

      December 30, 2022 at 11:57 am

      I have made this recipe 3 times. I always double it. It is fantastic!! I mean really really good. It's in my every other week rotation for meal planning.. My husband and I fight over the leftovers. It is fabulous as it is, though i do add more liquid and like to serve it over rice. My hisband liked it best when I added 2 teaspoons of minced ginger with the garlic. I think the wine brings more depth of flavor so don't skip it.

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        December 30, 2022 at 2:59 pm

        Hi Sarah, thank you for the feedback. I love the addition of ginger to the sauce. I will have to give that a try. Thank you for reaching out. Have a Happy New Year!

        Reply
    2. Dairy free lady

      September 06, 2021 at 9:31 am

      Hi,
      Really dying to try this recipe! I have an allergy to garlic which makes pasta dishes a bit of a nightmare! What do you think would make a good sub for this in this recipe? Thanks

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        September 06, 2021 at 12:33 pm

        Hi! Thanks for reaching out. Chives or shallots are great substitutes for garlic. Let me know how it turns out. I hope you enjoy the recipe.

        Reply

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