Print

Cozy Pasta Dinner After the Holidays

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.2 from 37 reviews

A cozy and comforting pasta dinner featuring al dente pasta tossed in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce enhanced with garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a warm meal after the holidays, this recipe balances earthiness from mushrooms with a smooth, indulgent texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz pasta (such as fettuccine or linguine)
  • Salt (for pasta water)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (such as cremini or white button)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8–10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
  2. Sauté Mushrooms: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown and develop deep flavor, about 6–8 minutes.
  3. Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the mushrooms and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until fragrant.
  4. Make Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream with the mushrooms and garlic. Allow the cream to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  5. Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the drained pasta into the skillet with the mushroom cream sauce. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to desired consistency.
  6. Finish and Serve: Stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated parmesan for best melting and flavor.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without thinning flavor.
  • Optional: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or additional parmesan.
  • For a lighter version, substitute cream with half-and-half.
  • This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or crusty bread.

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/cozy-pasta-dinner-after-the-holidays/