Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of luxuriously creamy pasta, where earthy mushrooms dance with vibrant kale and rich Parmesan cheese creates a symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to an Italian countryside. This isn't just another pasta recipe - it's a quick, elegant meal that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish in just 30 minutes. Whether you're a busy professional craving a gourmet dinner or a home cook looking to impress, this Creamy Mushroom Pasta with Parmesan and Kale is about to become your new culinary obsession.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, prepare vegetables. Clean and slice mushrooms into uniform thin slices. Remove tough stems from kale and chop leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until mushrooms release their moisture and start to brown slightly, stirring occasionally.
- Introduce chopped kale to the skillet, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until kale wilts and becomes tender.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine with mushrooms and kale. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper if desired.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously - it's your first chance to build flavor into the dish.
- Use fresh, high-quality Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself for the best melting and flavor.
- Don't overcook the kale - you want it tender but still vibrant green and slightly crisp.
- Reserve pasta water before draining; its starchy magic helps create a silky, clingy sauce.
- Sauté mushrooms until they're golden brown to develop deep, rich umami flavors.
- For extra richness, consider adding a splash of white wine when cooking mushrooms.
- Use a wide skillet to ensure even cooking and easy tossing of pasta with sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 70mg
