Save A cozy autumn-inspired pasta dish, Fall Pasta with Wild Mushrooms and Brown Butter combines earthy mushrooms, savory brown butter, fresh herbs, and a touch of parmesan for a truly comforting, gourmet meal. Perfect for chilly nights and rich in flavor, this recipe brings restaurant-worthy fare to your home kitchen.
I have always loved cooking pasta dishes that celebrate the season, and this recipe quickly became a staple every fall. The aroma of browning butter mingling with mushrooms and fresh herbs always draws my family into the kitchen.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 400 g (14 oz) dried pappardelle or tagliatelle
- Wild Mushrooms: 500 g (1.1 lbs) mixed wild mushrooms (chanterelle, cremini, shiitake, oyster), cleaned and sliced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Brown Butter Sauce: 80 g (⅓ cup) unsalted butter; 2 cloves garlic, finely sliced; 1 small shallot, finely diced; 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves; 1 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped; 50 ml (¼ cup) dry white wine (optional); salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- To Serve: 50 g (½ cup) freshly grated parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Cook Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 ml (½ cup) of pasta water, then drain.
- Sauté Mushrooms:
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until golden brown and any liquid has evaporated, about 7–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove mushrooms and set aside.
- Make Brown Butter:
- In the same skillet, add 80 g butter. Cook over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams and turns deep golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 3–4 minutes.
- Fry Aromatics:
- Add garlic, shallot, thyme, and sage to the brown butter, frying gently for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze (Optional):
- If using, pour in the white wine and simmer for 1–2 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Return Mushrooms:
- Return mushrooms to the skillet and toss to coat in the brown butter sauce.
- Combine Pasta & Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss well to combine, adding more pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Finish & Serve:
- Remove from heat. Stir in half the parmesan and parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Serve immediately, garnished with remaining parmesan and parsley.
Save Every year when the leaves turn, my family looks forward to sharing this pasta together at our dinner table. It has become a ritual, always sparking warmth and connection on crisp evenings.
Notes
For extra richness, you can add a splash of heavy cream with the wine. If wild mushrooms are unavailable, cremini or portobello mushrooms work beautifully as substitutes. This pasta pairs excellently with a crisp Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.
Required Tools
Large pot, large skillet, chef’s knife, cutting board, wooden spoon or spatula, microplane or zester
Preparation Details
Preparation time is 15 minutes, cooking time is 25 minutes, for a total of 40 minutes. Serves 4. This vegetarian, Italian-inspired dish is of medium difficulty.
Save Serve this pasta fresh and hot for maximum flavor. Enjoy the deep, nutty essence of browned butter and mushrooms with every bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → Which mushrooms work best for this dish?
Chanterelle, cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms add distinct flavor and texture. Cremini or portobello are good substitutes if wild varieties are unavailable.
- → What is brown butter and why use it?
Brown butter is butter cooked until golden and nutty; it adds depth and warmth, elevating sauces with rich aroma and flavor.
- → Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use your favorite gluten-free pasta and confirm all labels for hidden gluten sources, especially in cheese and pasta itself.
- → What wines pair well with the dish?
Try serving with a crisp Chardonnay or Pinot Noir to complement the nutty, earthy and savory notes in the pasta.
- → Is there a way to make it creamier?
For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream when simmering the sauce, just before combining with pasta.
- → How do I achieve the silky sauce texture?
Reserve pasta water and toss it in gradually until the sauce reaches desired silkiness and coats the noodles evenly.