Looking for a simple yet flavour-packed pasta dish? This creamy shiitake mushroom pasta brings together earthy, umami-rich mushrooms with garlic, parmesan and a hint of lemon. It’s easy to make, comes together in under 30 minutes and can be adapted for a vegan-friendly version.

Ready to learn how to make this tasty dish? Keep reading. 

Why You’ll Love This Shiitake Mushroom Pasta Recipe

✔ Quick & Easy – Ready in just 25 minutes with minimal prep.

✔ Rich & Umami-Packed – Shiitake mushrooms bring a deep, savoury flavour.

✔ Vegetarian & Easily Vegan – Swap out butter and parmesan for dairy-free alternatives.

✔ One-Pan Sauce – The mushrooms cook down into a creamy, garlic-infused sauce.

Ingredients (Serves 2 Generously)

For the Mushrooms

    •    2 tbsp olive oil

    •    300g shiitake mushrooms (or a mix of different mushrooms)

    •    ½ head of garlic, minced

    •    1 tbsp butter (use dairy-free for vegan)

    •    1 tbsp lemon juice

    •    Grated vegetarian/vegan parmesan cheese

    •    Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta

    •    250g spaghetti (or your favourite pasta)

    •    Water to boil

    •    Large pinch of salt

To Serve (Optional)

    •    Fresh parsley, chopped

    •    Extra parmesan cheese (vegan or vegetarian)

    •    Chilli flakes for a hint of spice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Mushrooms

• Heat olive oil in a large pan over high heat.
• Add the mushrooms in a single layer—don’t stir yet! Let them brown and crisp up while you cook the pasta.

2. Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Add salt, then cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
• Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water—this will help create a silky sauce later.

3. Finish the Mushrooms

• Stir the mushrooms and cook until they release moisture and start crisping up.
• Reduce the heat to medium, then add garlic. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Make the Sauce

• Once the garlic turns slightly golden, turn off the heat.
• Add butter, parmesan, and lemon juice, stirring until everything melts into a creamy sauce.
  

• Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan. Toss to coat in the mushroom sauce.
• If the pasta looks dry, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

6. Serve & Enjoy!

• Plate up and sprinkle with fresh parsley, extra parmesan, and chilli flakes, if using.

Note: It’s important that the pan is very hot before you add the mushrooms, so that they fry and don’t steam.

Recipe and Photo Credit- Alexis Ko  Instagram- @casadeolaf Website- www.alexisko.com

Tips for the Best Mushroom Pasta

✅ Use a hot pan – This prevents mushrooms from steaming and ensures they crisp up.

✅ Don’t stir too soon – Let the mushrooms brown before moving them.

✅ Salt the pasta water generously – This enhances the overall flavour of the dish.

✅ Use fresh garlic – It makes a huge difference in taste.

✅ Save that pasta water – It helps create a silky sauce without extra cream.

Make It Vegan

This recipe is easy to adapt for a completely plant-based version:

• Swap butter for olive oil or a dairy-free alternative.
• Use nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan instead of regular cheese.
• Check your pasta—most are vegan, but some contain egg.

With these simple swaps, you’ll have a creamy, flavourful pasta dish that’s entirely vegan-friendly!

Where to Get Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms

Want the freshest mushrooms for this dish? Why not grow your own at home! With Merryhill Mushrooms’ Shiitake Grow Kits, you can harvest your own organic, flavour-packed mushrooms in just a few weeks.

Growing your own mushrooms means no supermarket markups, no pesticides, and the freshest possible flavour. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding experience for food lovers and home cooks alike.

Explore our grow kits and elevate your cooking today!