Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) turns an ordinary weeknight into a cozy Mediterranean inspired dinner in just 25 minutes. The hummus melts into a rich, silky sauce, while browned mushrooms bring deep savory flavor. Better yet, everything comes together with simple ingredients I usually have close by.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Hummus Pasta
Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) gives you comfort without a long ingredient list. In fact, hummus brings creaminess, protein, and plenty of flavor without heavy cream.
Also, this dinner takes only 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook. Each of four servings has about 491 calories, 19 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fiber.
Meanwhile, the browned mushrooms add a meaty bite. As a result, the pasta feels hearty enough for a full dinner.
Ingredients for Hummus Pasta
Pasta
Use 12 ounces of rigatoni, penne, fusilli, or another short pasta. These shapes catch the thick hummus sauce in every curve.
Hummus
You need 1 heaping cup of hummus. Homemade hummus works beautifully, but store bought hummus keeps Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) especially quick.
Mushrooms
Use 1 pound of fresh or frozen mushrooms. First, slice fresh mushrooms evenly so they brown at about the same rate.
Garlic, Parsley, and Seasonings
You need 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 grated garlic clove, and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley.
Also, keep extra salt nearby for the pasta water.
Optional Parmesan
A little grated Parmesan adds salty richness. However, you can leave it out for a fully plant based dinner.
How to Make Creamy Hummus Pasta With Mushrooms
Step 1: Brown the Mushrooms
First, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms, salt, and pepper.
Then, cook them for 12 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally until their liquid cooks away and the edges turn deeply brown.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta Until Al Dente
Meanwhile, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining, save about 2 cups of pasta water.
That starchy water matters because it helps Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) turn smooth and glossy.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Hummus Sauce
Next, stir the garlic and parsley into the browned mushrooms for about 1 minute. Then, lower the heat.
Add the hummus and 1 cup of pasta water. Stir for about 1 minute until the mixture turns creamy.
Step 4: Toss the Pasta With the Sauce
Remove the pan from the heat. Then, add the drained pasta and toss until the sauce coats every piece.
If the sauce feels too thick, add more pasta water a little at a time.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Finally, add more parsley, black pepper, and a small drizzle of olive oil. Also, scatter Parmesan over the top if you like.
Serve Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) right away because the sauce thickens as it rests.
Tips for the Creamiest Hummus Pasta
Brown the Mushrooms Before Adding Garlic
Let the mushrooms brown fully before you add garlic. Otherwise, the garlic may cook too long while the mushrooms still release water.
Save Plenty of Pasta Water
Save about 2 cups before draining. In fact, you may need less, but having extra gives you control over the sauce.
Warm the Hummus Without Simmering It
Keep the heat low once you add the hummus. Then, warm it briefly instead of letting it bubble for several minutes.
Adjust the Sauce Consistency Before Serving
The sauce keeps thickening after you toss it with pasta. Therefore, make it slightly looser than you think you need.
Taste Before Adding More Salt
Hummus already contains salt. Parmesan does too, so taste Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) before adding another pinch.
Hummus Pasta Variations and Substitutions
Vegetable Swaps for Mushrooms
You can replace mushrooms with spinach, caramelized onions, zucchini, broccoli, or tomatoes. As a result, this recipe adapts easily to whatever vegetables you have.
Fresh Herb Substitutions
Parsley tastes fresh and clean. However, basil, chives, dill, or thyme also work well.
How to Make It Vegan and Dairy-Free
Simply skip the Parmesan. The hummus already gives the sauce plenty of body and creaminess.
Best Pasta Shapes to Use
Rigatoni, fusilli, and penne work especially well. Their ridges and openings hold onto the sauce, so each forkful tastes creamy.
What to Serve With Hummus Pasta
Serve Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or warm bread. Also, a simple tomato and cucumber salad adds fresh contrast.
For more everyday food inspiration, you can follow Kai Recipes on Pinterest or join the recipe community on Facebook.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Hummus Pasta
Refrigerating Leftovers
Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, expect the sauce to thicken as it chills.
How to Reheat Without Drying Out the Sauce
Add a splash of water before reheating. Then, warm the pasta gently while stirring until the sauce turns creamy again.
Can You Freeze Hummus Pasta?
I do not recommend freezing it. Instead, refrigerate smaller portions and enjoy them within 3 days for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hummus and pasta go together?
Yes. Hummus mixes especially well with hot pasta water, so it turns into a creamy, savory sauce that coats pasta beautifully.
What is the creamy mushroom pasta dish called?
Many versions simply go by creamy mushroom pasta. However, Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) uses hummus instead of a traditional cream based sauce.
How to turn hummus into a pasta sauce?
Mix hummus with hot, starchy pasta water over low heat. Then, stir until smooth and add more water gradually until you reach the texture you want.
How to make creamy pasta with mushrooms?
First, brown the mushrooms well. Next, add garlic, hummus, and pasta water. Finally, toss in al dente pasta and adjust the sauce with more pasta water.
More Such Recipes
- creamy sun-dried tomato vegan pasta
- quick 15-minute Greek pasta
- creamy pumpkin pasta
- vegan avocado pesto pasta
- easy broccoli pasta for weeknight dinners
- creamy mushroom bisque
Final Thoughts
Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) proves that a creamy dinner can come from a few everyday ingredients. The browned mushrooms bring savory depth, while hummus and pasta water create a smooth sauce in minutes.
So, keep that pasta water close, brown those mushrooms well, and serve the pasta while it feels silky and hot. It is a practical 25 minute dinner that fits busy nights without giving up comfort.
Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms)
Description
Creamy Hummus Pasta (With Mushrooms) is a quick 25-minute Mediterranean-inspired dinner with a rich hummus sauce, savory browned mushrooms, and simple everyday ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 heaping cup hummus, homemade or store-bought
- 12 oz pasta, such as rigatoni, penne, fusilli, or similar
- 1 lb mushrooms, fresh or frozen
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley, plus more for serving
- Optional grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Slice the mushrooms. Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the moisture evaporates and the mushrooms brown well.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve about 2 cups of pasta water.
- Stir the grated garlic and chopped parsley into the browned mushrooms. Cook for 1 minute.
- Lower the heat. Add the hummus and 1 cup of reserved pasta water to the mushrooms. Stir for about 1 minute until the sauce turns smooth and creamy.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the drained pasta and toss until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
- Add more reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce feels too thick.
- Finish with extra parsley, black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and optional grated Parmesan. Serve promptly because the sauce thickens as it sits.
Notes
Brown the mushrooms thoroughly before adding the garlic for deeper savory flavor.
Keep the pasta al dente so it holds its texture when tossed with the sauce.
Reserve about 2 cups of pasta water because the starch helps create and loosen the creamy hummus sauce.
Warm the hummus briefly over low heat. Do not simmer it for several minutes.
Taste the finished pasta before adding extra salt because hummus and Parmesan may already add plenty of seasoning.
The sauce thickens as it sits, so serve the pasta promptly.
You can replace the mushrooms with spinach, caramelized onions, zucchini, broccoli, or tomatoes.
You can replace parsley with basil, chives, dill, or thyme.
Omit Parmesan for a vegan and dairy-free version.
Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Add a splash of water when reheating to loosen the sauce.
Freezing is not recommended.