Spinach Mushroom Pasta (Printable Version)

Pasta tossed with sautéed mushrooms and spinach in a rich Parmesan cream sauce for a simple yet elegant meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite)

→ Sauce Base

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
03 - 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (baby bella or white)
04 - 3-4 cups fresh spinach
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
08 - ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
09 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
10 - ½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

# Steps:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook mushrooms until golden and tender, about 6-7 minutes.
03 - Stir in garlic, salt, and pepper. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Pour in cream and stir in Parmesan cheese. Let mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
05 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
06 - Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and serve immediately while warm.

# Notes:

01 - For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk thickened with a teaspoon of flour.