Cheesy Mushroom Pasta with Breadcrumbs and Thyme is a rich, comforting dish that brings together creamy pasta, savory mushrooms, and the perfect crunch from toasted breadcrumbs. With a nod to classic pasta recipes like cacio e pepe, this dish features caramelized mushrooms, fresh thyme, and a creamy sauce made with heavy cream, creme fraiche, and sharp cheddar. It’s a quick and indulgent weeknight meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this flavorful pasta will surely become a favorite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Sauce:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ½ pounds mushrooms (such as cremini or chanterelle), thinly sliced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced (plus more for garnish)
1 yellow onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 pound dried pipette pasta
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
½ cup creme fraiche
1 lemon, zested (1 teaspoon)

For the Breadcrumbs:

2 cups finely torn sourdough bread
2 tablespoons olive oil (Brightland Olive Oil recommended)

Directions

Make the Breadcrumbs:
Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Toss the torn sourdough bread with olive oil on a sheet pan. Toast until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Prepare the Pasta and Sauce:
In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, thyme, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for about 18-20 minutes, or until the mushrooms are softened and beginning to caramelize. Stir in the heavy cream, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the Pasta:
While the mushrooms are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pipette pasta and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
Combine the Pasta and Sauce:
Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the Dutch oven with the mushrooms. Toss to combine, slowly incorporating the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Stir in the creme fraiche and lemon zest. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve:
Serve the cheesy mushroom pasta with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and the homemade breadcrumbs. Garnish with fresh thyme for an added burst of flavor. Enjoy!

Nutrients (per serving, approximate)

Calories: 590 kcal
Carbohydrates: 57g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 650mg
Potassium: 410mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 4g
Vitamin A: 720 IU
Vitamin C: 10mg
Calcium: 240mg
Iron: 3mg

The Heart of the Dish: Savory Mushrooms

Mushrooms are the star of this dish, providing an earthy flavor and meaty texture that pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce and pasta. The variety of mushrooms used can significantly influence the dish’s flavor profile. While cremini mushrooms are a classic and accessible choice, using more exotic mushrooms like chanterelles or shiitakes can add a deeper, woodier flavor that elevates the dish. As the mushrooms cook down in butter with fresh thyme, onion, and garlic, they caramelize and become wonderfully tender. This slow-cooking process intensifies their natural umami flavors, creating a savory base for the creamy sauce that follows.

The mushrooms contribute a great deal to the dish’s overall flavor complexity. Their rich, umami-packed taste balances out the creamy richness of the sauce, adding depth to every bite. The use of fresh thyme throughout the recipe enhances the mushrooms, as thyme’s aromatic, slightly piney flavor complements the earthiness of the mushrooms and creates a fragrant, comforting base for the sauce.

The Creamy Sauce: A Perfect Blend of Richness

At the heart of this dish lies a luxuriously creamy sauce made with heavy cream, creme fraiche, and a blend of sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. The heavy cream forms the rich base, creating a smooth texture that coats the pasta beautifully. The addition of creme fraiche, with its tangy and slightly acidic flavor, adds balance to the sauce, ensuring it is not overwhelmingly rich. Together, these ingredients create a velvety smooth sauce that envelops the pasta and mushrooms, enhancing the flavors of both.

The sharp cheddar adds a nutty, tangy bite, while the Parmesan contributes a subtle depth of flavor. As these cheeses melt into the sauce, they create a perfectly creamy texture, while the salt and pepper season the sauce just enough to bring out the richness of the mushrooms and cream. The sauce’s balance of creaminess and tanginess, combined with the natural umami of the mushrooms, results in a deeply satisfying and comforting dish.

Pasta: The Perfect Base

The pasta in this dish serves as the perfect foundation for the rich mushroom sauce. The recipe calls for pipette pasta, which has a slightly larger tube shape, making it ideal for holding onto the creamy sauce and bits of caramelized mushroom. The small tubes trap the sauce inside, allowing for each bite to deliver a perfect balance of flavors. While pipette is the chosen pasta here, other pasta shapes such as rigatoni, fusilli, or penne can also work well, depending on what you have on hand.

Cooking the pasta al dente ensures that it has a slightly firm bite, which contrasts nicely with the creamy sauce and soft mushrooms. The reserved pasta water, added during the final stages of cooking, helps thicken the sauce and bind it to the pasta, ensuring the sauce adheres perfectly to each piece.

Toasted Breadcrumbs: The Perfect Crunch

One of the standout elements of this dish is the crunchy, toasted sourdough breadcrumbs, which add texture and an extra layer of flavor. These breadcrumbs, toasted in olive oil until golden brown, provide a satisfying contrast to the creamy pasta and mushrooms. The sourdough base of the breadcrumbs contributes a tangy, slightly nutty flavor that complements the richness of the sauce.

The addition of the breadcrumbs also adds a touch of visual appeal to the dish. The golden, crispy breadcrumbs are sprinkled over the pasta just before serving, providing not only a crunch but also a beautiful finish. The breadcrumb topping is simple yet impactful, enhancing the overall dish with both texture and flavor.

Aromatic Fresh Thyme

Thyme is a key herb in this dish, bringing aromatic freshness and earthiness that ties the mushrooms, sauce, and pasta together. Fresh thyme is used in the cooking process, added to the mushrooms as they caramelize to infuse them with its fragrance. The thyme’s subtle piney flavor is the perfect complement to the earthy mushrooms and rich cream. For an added burst of flavor, a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves is used as a garnish, brightening the dish and offering a pop of color and freshness on top of the creamy pasta.

A Quick Yet Indulgent Meal

Cheesy Mushroom Pasta with Breadcrumbs and Thyme is the perfect dish when you’re in the mood for something comforting and indulgent but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal option for a quick weeknight meal that still feels special. The combination of creamy sauce, tender mushrooms, and perfectly cooked pasta creates a meal that is satisfying and flavorful without requiring a long preparation time.

This dish is great for family dinners, where it can be served as a hearty main course, or for a special occasion when you want to impress guests without much hassle. The rich flavors and comforting textures make it a crowd-pleaser, while the simple ingredients keep it accessible and easy to prepare.

Versatility and Customization

While this dish is already rich and flavorful, it’s also incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit different tastes and dietary needs. For example, you can easily substitute the heavy cream and creme fraiche with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream and dairy-free sour cream to make it vegan-friendly. Similarly, the cheeses can be swapped for vegan cheese varieties that melt well, providing a similar creamy texture and savory taste.

If you’re looking to add more protein or a different flavor profile, the addition of grilled chicken, pancetta, or bacon can elevate the dish further. Vegetarians might enjoy adding additional vegetables such as spinach, peas, or roasted red peppers for extra color and flavor. The toasted breadcrumbs can also be made with gluten-free bread if you’re catering to dietary restrictions.

Serving Suggestions

While this dish is indulgent on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to make a complete meal. A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta. Roasted or steamed vegetables, such as asparagus, green beans, or broccoli, can also provide a satisfying side dish, adding some color and balance to the plate. For those who love extra flavor, a side of garlic bread or freshly baked rolls can be served to soak up any remaining sauce.

Conclusion

Cheesy Mushroom Pasta with Breadcrumbs and Thyme is a rich, comforting dish that combines the creaminess of pasta and sauce with the savory flavors of caramelized mushrooms and the perfect crunch of toasted breadcrumbs. This dish is quick, easy to prepare, and incredibly satisfying, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or special occasions. The blend of sharp cheeses, fresh thyme, and earthy mushrooms creates a flavorful, well-balanced meal that will leave you craving more. Whether you’re serving it to your family or guests, this pasta dish is sure to become a new favorite. With its perfect combination of textures and flavors, it’s a dish that offers both comfort and indulgence in every bite.