Alright, friend, if you’re craving something indulgent yet surprisingly easy, this Creamy Truffle Mushroom Pasta Recipe is exactly what you need to whip up. It’s rich, silky, and bursts with earthy mushroom and truffle flavors that feel like a special treat any night of the week.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Creamy Truffle Mushroom Pasta Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes when I want something that feels fancy but is totally doable at home. I love that subtle hint of truffle oil in every bite combined with the hearty mushrooms and silky sauce.
- Balanced flavors: The combo of wine, Worcestershire, and Dijon gives the sauce a layered taste you won’t forget.
- Quick to prepare: It’s ready in under an hour with prep and cook time, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.
- Uses pantry and fresh ingredients: Most items are kitchen staples, plus fresh mushrooms and Parmesan for that authentic touch.
- Customizable: Whether you want to swap mushrooms or pasta types, you can make it your own easily.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a role in building that decadent, creamy texture and deep umami flavor. Here are my thoughts on the stars of this dish and tips to get the best out of each.
- Half and half: Gives the sauce a creamy base without being too heavy, balancing richness and lightness.
- Chicken broth & bouillon cube: Adds savory depth to the sauce; bouillon enhances flavor without extra salt.
- Hot sauce: A tiny kick that elevates without tasting spicy—trust me, it’s magic.
- Dijon mustard: Adds an aromatic tanginess that boosts the entire sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce: A flavor enhancer with umami layers; can’t skip this one.
- Parsley, onion powder, thyme, oregano: Classic herb combo giving the sauce herbal warmth.
- Black truffle oil: The star that imparts that luxurious truffle aroma—use sparingly as it's potent.
- Olive oil: Helps sauté mushrooms and pancetta for great texture and flavor.
- Pancetta: Adds salty, crispy bites; prosciutto or ham can work in a pinch.
- White wine: Deglazes the pan, adds acidity and complexity. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are my favorites.
- Cremini mushrooms: Firmer and more flavorful than white buttons, they hold up beautifully in the sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh cloves bring that aromatic punch—jarred just won’t compare.
- Butter & flour: Creates the roux that thickens this dish’s luscious sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: Always freshly grated for best melting and flavor.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens up the creamy sauce with subtle acidity.
- Pappardelle pasta: Wide noodles that catch the sauce perfectly, but fettuccine or linguine also work well.
Make It Your Way
I’m all about adapting recipes to what you love or have on hand. With this Creamy Truffle Mushroom Pasta Recipe, I often play with different mushroom varieties or pasta shapes—making it feel fresh every time.
- Variation: Once I swapped cremini for a wild mushroom mix and it bumped the earthiness up a few notches—so good! You can also use gluten-free pasta if you need.
- Make it vegetarian: Simply omit pancetta and use vegetable broth for a meat-free but still rich meal.
- Extra cheesy: Stir in a bit of mascarpone or cream cheese at the end for ultra silky sauce.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Truffle Mushroom Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Sauce Mix & Ingredients
First things first: combine all the sauce ingredients (half and half, broth, bouillon, hot sauce, dijon, Worcestershire, and herbs) in a large measuring cup or bowl. This way, you can add them smoothly once the roux is ready. Also, chop and measure everything else before heating your pan—this recipe moves fast once you start cooking, and you don’t want to scramble.
Step 2: Sauté Mushrooms in Truffle Oil
Heat the truffle oil and a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in those mushrooms with a pinch of salt—it draws out their moisture and concentrates flavor. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. When you see some liquid forming, up the heat a bit to medium-high and cook for an extra 3 minutes, stirring often, until nicely browned. Set mushrooms aside.
Step 3: Crisp the Pancetta & Build Flavor
Add the remaining olive oil to your skillet on medium and cook the diced pancetta until crispy, about 3 minutes. Then add butter and garlic, cooking gently for 2 minutes to soften the garlic without burning it. Pour in white wine and let it bubble gently, reducing by half—this concentrates the flavor and lifts all those tasty browned bits off the pan.
Step 4: Make the Roux & Add Sauce
Sprinkle flour into the skillet and stir continuously for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Now, add the sauce mixture little by little, stirring nonstop so it thickens smoothly without lumps. Toss the mushrooms back in. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to simmer.
Step 5: Cook Pasta & Bring it All Together
While your sauce simmers, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until just al dente—usually 7 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and reduce the sauce heat to low. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Finally, toss the pasta into the sauce, coating every ribbon. Serve immediately, ideally with cracked black pepper and some olive oil bread for dipping!
Top Tip
I’ve made this Creamy Truffle Mushroom Pasta Recipe dozens of times, and these tips will help you get it just right every time. Trust me, the little details make all the difference.
- Use Fresh Garlic: It makes a world of difference in flavor over jarred minced garlic—your kitchen will smell incredible.
- Don’t Skip the Wine: If you’re okay with cooking with alcohol, the white wine adds acidity and complexity that broth alone can’t quite match.
- Low Heat When Adding Cheese: Melt Parmesan slowly over low heat to avoid grainy sauce from separating dairy.
- Salt Your Mushrooms Early: It pulls out moisture and intensifies their flavor—simple but game-changing.
How to Serve Creamy Truffle Mushroom Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top this pasta with freshly cracked black pepper and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for that signature touch. Sometimes, I add a few fresh parsley leaves for a burst of color and freshness. If you want to get fancy, a tiny drizzle of extra truffle oil right before serving is a game changer.
Side Dishes
My favorite sides to go with this comfort-filled pasta are a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or a simple garlic bread with olive oil for dipping. It’s also great alongside roasted asparagus or green beans for a little crunch and color.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I’ve served this pasta in warmed shallow bowls to keep it cozy longer, topped with a small nest of microgreens for elegance. You can also plate it on wide-rimmed plates with a Parmesan crisp on top for texture contrast — guests always ask how you made those!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After it cools, I store leftover creamy truffle mushroom pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The sauce thickens quite a bit, so sometimes it looks a little dense—don’t worry, it still tastes amazing.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this pasta a few times and while the texture of the sauce changes a bit, the flavor holds beautifully. Freeze in meal-sized portions for up to three months, making weeknight dinners super easy.
Reheating
For best results, I reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat or in a makeshift double boiler to keep the sauce creamy and prevent separation. Adding a splash of broth or water helps loosen the sauce if it’s too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! For a vegan version, swap out dairy ingredients for plant-based alternatives like coconut cream or cashew cream and use vegetable broth. Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese, and omit the pancetta or use smoked tempeh or mushrooms instead.
If you don’t have truffle oil, you can simply omit it and increase the olive oil by a teaspoon. Though you’ll miss that distinctive truffle aroma, the sauce remains deliciously creamy and flavorful with mushrooms and Parmesan.
Absolutely! While I recommend pappardelle because it holds the sauce beautifully, you can easily use fettuccine, linguine, penne, rigatoni, or even farfalle. Just adjust cooking times according to package instructions.
The key to avoiding a grainy sauce is to add the Parmesan cheese over low heat and stir gently. High heat can cause the dairy to separate. Also, stirring continuously when adding the roux and sauce will keep the texture silky smooth.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Creamy Truffle Mushroom Pasta Recipe enough if you want a dish that feels luxurious but stays simple to make. It’s perfect for cozy dinners, date nights, or whenever you want to impress without stress. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked on that creamy, truffle-kissed mushroom goodness just like I am!
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Truffle Pasta recipe is a decadent, creamy dish featuring a rich sauce infused with truffle oil, pancetta, and cremini mushrooms, tossed with pappardelle pasta. Enhanced by savory seasonings, white wine, and Parmesan cheese, it's perfect for an elegant dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 beef bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.25 teaspoon dried oregano
Mushrooms, Pancetta, and Pasta
- 1 teaspoon black truffle oil
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 4 oz diced pancetta
- 0.75 cup dry white wine
- 8 oz cremini or baby bella mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 0.67 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 8 oz pappardelle pasta
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce Ingredients: Combine the half and half, chicken broth, crumbled beef bouillon cube, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, onion powder, dried thyme, and oregano in a large measuring cup with a spout. Set aside. Measure out all remaining ingredients to have everything ready before cooking.
- Cook Mushrooms: Heat the black truffle oil and 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally and lightly salting them to enhance flavor. Increase heat to medium-high when liquid starts releasing and cook another 3 minutes, stirring often. Remove mushrooms and set aside.
- Boil Pasta Water: Start boiling a large pot of salted water for the pasta while proceeding with the sauce preparation.
- Cook Pancetta: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly crisp.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: Add butter and minced garlic to the pancetta, cooking for 2 minutes while stirring frequently. Pour in the white wine and bring it to a gentle boil. Let it reduce by half, about 5 minutes.
- Add Flour: Stir in the flour and cook continuously for 2 minutes to form a roux, ensuring it doesn’t brown excessively.
- Add Sauce Mixture and Mushrooms: Gradually add the combined sauce mixture from step 1 in small splashes, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Return the cooked mushrooms to the skillet.
- Simmer Sauce and Cook Pasta: Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Partially cover and stir occasionally while cooking pasta in the boiling water until al dente, approximately 10 minutes. Drain the pasta when ready.
- Finish Sauce: Reduce heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Then add fresh lemon juice and mix well.
- Toss Pasta and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately with freshly cracked black pepper and a side of olive oil bread for dipping.
Notes
- Truffle Oil: Use only 1 teaspoon as it is potent; if unavailable, substitute with an additional teaspoon of olive oil.
- Pancetta: Can be swapped with prosciutto or finely diced ham as alternatives.
- Mushrooms: Cremini or baby bella deliver better texture and flavor than white button, but those are acceptable substitutes.
- Wine: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc are best; chicken or beef broth can replace wine if preferred.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grate from a wedge for best melt and flavor, avoiding pre-grated packaged cheese.
- Low Heat for Cheese: Add Parmesan on low heat to prevent grainy texture caused by dairy separation.
- Pasta: Pappardelle is recommended; other pasta shapes like fettuccine, penne, linguine, rigatoni, cavatappi, or farfalle also work well.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves instead of jarred minced garlic for superior taste.
- Flavor Enhancers: Hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice enhance flavors subtly without being overpowering and can be omitted if necessary.
- Pasta Water: Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick or clumpy.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently using a stovetop double boiler method for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
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