Apr 28, 2023, Updated Oct 17, 2024

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Mushroom Pappardelle

This creamy mushroom pappardelle is rich and indulgent, making it the perfect comfort food for a cozy night, thanks to all its savory goodness. Guys, it’s a 30-minute dish – perfect for mid-week mayhem.  You can add various vegetables, herbs, or proteins to this dish to make it your own and adapt it to your taste. Creamy mushroom pappardelle is a dish that everyone will love. Creamy mushroom pappardelle tastes even better the next day, making it a great option for meal prep or leftovers.

RELATED: If you love rich gravy over noodles, you must also check out my collection of German Pasta Recipes. RELATED: Pappardelle vs. Egg Noodles: Everything You Need to Know!

How To Make Mushroom Pappardelle

Make Ahead Instructions

You can cook the pasta in advance if you like and then just make up the sauce when you’re ready to serve the dish.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers: If you have any leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat: To reheat the pasta and sauce, you can either reheat them separately or together. If reheating separately, place the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water for about 1-2 minutes until heated through.  Then, heat the mushroom sauce in a separate saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If reheating together, combine the pasta and mushroom sauce in a large skillet and heat over medium heat until heated through. Freezing: You can also freeze creamy mushroom pappardelle for later. Let the pasta and sauce cool down to room temperature, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 2 months. Thawing: To thaw frozen creamy mushroom pappardelle, transfer the container to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight.

Variations

If you want to use this (already perfect) recipe as a base, you can. 

Truffle addition: Add a touch of truffle oil to the creamy mushroom sauce to fancy up this classic dish. Creamy Mushroom and Bacon Pappardelle: Fry up some bacon and add it to the creamy mushroom sauce for a salty and savory twist on this classic dish. Lemon Mushroom Pappardelle: Brighten up the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of lemon zest, which pairs perfectly with the earthy mushrooms. Pesto: Mix some fresh basil pesto into the creamy mushroom sauce for a burst of herbaceous flavor. Spinach: Add some wilted spinach to the creamy mushroom sauce for a nutritious and tasty twist. Vegan version: Use a dairy-free cream alternative and omit any animal products for a delicious vegan version of this dish. Add in some chicken: Add some cooked chicken to the dish for a protein-packed twist on this classic pasta dish.

What Is the Difference Between Tagliatelle and Pappardelle?

Tagliatelle and pappardelle are both types of Italian pasta commonly used in various dishes, but they have some differences. Tagliatelle is a type of long, flat pasta that is similar in shape to fettuccine. It is typically around 6-8mm wide and has a slightly curved, ribbon-like shape. Tagliatelle is often served with meat-based sauces such as Bolognese, but it can also be used in other dishes such as carbonara or seafood pasta. Pappardelle, on the other hand, is a wider and thicker pasta than tagliatelle. It is typically around 12-15mm wide, with a long, flat shape similar to tagliatelle. Pappardelle is typically served with rich and hearty sauces such as ragù, as the wider noodles can hold the sauce better than thinner pasta varieties. Overall, while both tagliatelle and pappardelle are similar in shape, pappardelle is wider and thicker, making it more suitable for dishes with rich, heavy sauces. Tagliatelle is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of dishes.

What Is Pappardelle Pasta Used For?

Pappardelle pasta is a wide, flat, ribbon-like pasta that is often used in Italian cuisine.  Due to its broad shape and substantial thickness, pappardelle is particularly well-suited to hearty meat-based sauces and ragùs, as well as creamy and rich sauces. Its large surface area allows it to absorb and hold onto a lot of sauce, making it a great choice for dishes where the pasta is the main focus.

How To Cook Pappardelle Pasta?

Here’s how to cook pappardelle pasta: Note: It’s important not to overcook pappardelle pasta, as it can become mushy and lose its texture.

Pro Tips And Tricks 

I love the “meatball” look of using whole mushrooms, but it is really key to cook them for a long time to brown and release their moisture. This ensures a gorgeous, rich umami flavor and a meaty texture (not spongy, bouncy or otherwise raw-mushroom-y.) Preheat a large dutch oven over high heat for 5 minutes until very hot (this ensures the mushrooms brown before they lose moisture, which would cause them to be pale and soft instead of crispy and browned). ⁠ Use the cream of your choice: For a truly creamy and luxurious sauce, use heavy cream. This will give your sauce a silky texture and rich flavor. Because there’s no acid that would cause curdling, however, you could swap in half-and-half cream or milk for a lighter version. I recommend you use brown mushrooms or baby bellas for the rich, beautiful brown color shown in the photo in the recipe card. My videographer shot the recipe using white mushrooms, which makes a lighter-colored dish (still delicious, but not as lustrous!)⁠ Secret ingredient: a little splash of soy sauce is my favorite secret weapon for adding rich color to brown sauces and an extra layer of umami. Taste your sauce and instead of adding more salt, try adding little splashes of soy sauce until it tastes properly seasoned (no more than a tablespoon.

What To Serve It With

As mushroom pappardelle is a super rich and creamy Italian recipe, it can be served with lighter and more refreshing like this fresh peach caprese salad. You need a side of something light like this watermelon and goat’s cheese dish to take the edge off of all that dreamy, creamy richness. Try a crunchy kale caesar salad as a crunchy accompaniment or a bright strawberry salad with rhubarb dressing.

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