This balsamic mushroom pasta is an easy pasta recipe that looks more complicated than it really is but, in reality, it comes together in the time it takes to boil the pasta. The mushrooms cook in some tangy balsamic vinegar and, just before it’s time to serve it, a little cream is added at the end that adds a touch of richness. Garnish it with parmesan cheese and dinner is ready in about 30 minutes.

Balsamic mushroom pasta on a white plate

This post has been republished from the archives. First published in January 2015.

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Salads, salads everywhere… except on this blog. As usual, I’m slow on the uptake and have yet to join the masses in the whole“it’s January so it’s time to make and blog about salad” thing. I figure if I have to take down the Christmas decorations (boo-hiss!) then I’m not giving up anything up food-wise – at least not until I’ve gotten used to the living room sans twinkle lights and garlands. How depressing to carefully wrap up all the ornaments and then have a salad for dinner. Nope.

So, salads, you’re just going to have to wait.

In the meantime, I’m loving the pasta. Pasta that’s been tossed in a creamy balsamic sauce…

This plate of mushroom-y goodness was just what I needed after the Christmas decoration take-down marathon. Comforting, delicious, but so simple to make and it’s sort of fancy-looking, don’t you think? We all still need a little fancy decadence right now.

Ingredients

Fettuccine
Butter
Olive oil
Shallot
Garlic
Portabello mushrooms
Balsamic vinegar
Heavy cream
Fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese

Tips for Making Balsamic Mushroom Pasta

This easy balsamic mushroom pasta recipe makes enough for two people and I wasn’t kidding about how easy it is to make —

First, get a big pot of salty water going for the pasta.
While you’re waiting for it to come to a boil, prep the shallot, garlic, and mushrooms (or buy the pre-sliced ones!).
Once the water is boiling, toss in the pasta and start heating the butter and oil in another pan and get going on the sauce.
It comes together so quickly – just saute the shallots, garlic, and mushrooms in the butter and oil, deglaze the pan with some balsamic, and then add in the cream.
By this point, the pasta will be ready to toss in the pan. Some Parmesan and parsley finishes the whole thing off. Take a bite and forget about all the salad nonsense – we can always start the diets next week.

Balsamic mushroom pasta on a white plate with the pasta twirled onto a fork

FAQs and Recipe Variations

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double this recipe to serve four!

What can I serve with Balsamic Mushroom Pasta?

This easy pasta is delicious with a crisp green salad on the side or serve it with toasted bread or breadsticks. It’s also delicious with some roasted vegetables on the side like Brussels sprouts.

Can I add a protein?

Readers have had success in adding different proteins. This mushroom pasta goes well with beef – try adding thin-sliced cooked steak like sirloin. Or, you can also add some cooked chicken. It’s a good idea to cook your chicken or beef before making the rest of the recipe and then adding the cooked protein to the dish just before you serve it.

Can I use different mushrooms?

I like portabello mushrooms because they’re very meaty, but you can use pretty much any mushroom you like. Baby bellas, cremini mushrooms, button mushrooms, or a package with a mix of mushrooms will all work great.

Happy cooking!

More Recipes for Two

I love small-batch recipes so much I wrote an entire cookbook, so be sure to check it out if you love cooking for one or two people! Or, check out some of my favorite small-batch recipes here on the site…