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    Home » Recipe Index » Pasta Dishes

    Mushroom Green Bean Pasta for One

    May 26, 2024 Updated June 19, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD Entrees, One Pot/One Pan Meals, Pasta Dishes, Recipe Index, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes

    Jump to Recipe
    pasta with mushroom sauce in a bowl with ingredients on table and a text overlay

    This mushroom green bean pasta for one is such an easy one pot meal that's ready in about 20 minutes. It's got a light, creamy sauce with tender mushrooms and green beans. Serve with sausage or edamame.

    pasta with mushroom sauce in a white bowl with two leaves of basil on top

    [This mushroom green bean pasta recipe was originally posted in December 2018. It has been updated with an updated recipe, photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serve with
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good pasta recipes
    • Repurpose this pasta dish
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    This recipe was originally pasta + Trader Joe's haircots verts green beans with a tasty mushroom sauce and lemon. Unfortunately, this green bean side dish wasn't available for very long, so it's not useful anymore.

    After a few years, I finally rested the recipe without the TJs green bean packet. This version is almost as easy, super tasty, and refreshing with some great vegetables and lemon juice.

    The sauce is thickened with pasta water and flavored with spices and lemon juice. It'd be an easy recipe to add cream/milk to or substitute for some water for a creamy dairy option. It's delicious in a few ways. Do what you like.

    I'm excited to share two game changing tips in this mushroom green bean pasta recipe. The first steps may seem wrong, but they're so wrong they're right.

    First, I'm starting to cook the mushrooms in water instead of oil or butter. That's because mushrooms absorb A LOT. I learned this from Dan (What's Eating Dan) over at America's Test Kitchen.

    See the link in the tips/substitutions section for the informative video.

    Have you ever cooked them, and kept adding oil or butter to them, to see it vanish quickly? Well, again, they can absorb a lot of liquid. We start by cooking them in water to absorb, then add some butter later to flavor them.

    The other trick is to add the pasta to water BEFORE it boils. Seriously. I've pretty much stopped boiling water then adding pasta. Just do it all together. It saves a few minutes, which I'm always a fan of.

    It doesn't change the texture or anything of the pasta, it's awesome! I learned this trick from Lan, also from America's Test Kitchen. Her YouTube show, Techniquely with Lan Lam is such a great watch. Link in tips section below too.

    Anyways, I wanted to share a bit about why I'm making this mushroom green bean pasta a bit differently than what you may expect. Try these tips and let me know how it goes. I hope they're as useful as they've been for me.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the mushroom green bean pasta recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

    ingredients for pasta with mushroom sauce and green beans
    • Mushrooms: Use white button, baby portobello or your favorite mushroom. Slice them in even slices.
    • Pasta: Use your favorite shape, I prefer a twisty, short pasta in this mushroom green bean pasta
    • Water or chicken/vegetable broth: I prefer Better than Bouillon Roasted Chicken flavor with water. The bouillon paste lasts a long time, and is super useful for a solo cook. Seriously, try it!
    • Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt: this simple seasoning combination is great with the vegetables and lemon in this recipe.
    • Fresh green beans
    • Butter: A bit of butter at the end adds lots of flavor and silkiness to this simple mushroom green bean pasta recipe. You can use olive oil too.
    • Lemon
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Red pepper flakes

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the mushroom green bean pasta recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    pasta boiling in black pot

    1. Add sliced mushrooms, pasta, spices (Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt), and chicken/vegetable broth (or chicken bouillon paste + water) to pot.

    2. Cover. Bring to boil. Cook on medium/medium-hi heat until al dente. Add more water if needed. You should have about ¼ cup remaining.

    plastic bag pouring green beans into a black pot

    3. Remove any leftover water, but save it.

    hand pouring mushroom sauce into a pot of pasta and green beans

    4. Add butter and green beans. Brown over medium heat.

    5. Deglaze mushroom green bean pasta with leftover pasta water and lemon juice. Cook down until desired sauce thickness.

    6. Serve mushroom green bean pasta with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy.

    PIN HERE to add mushroom green bean pasta to your recipe box. 

    Serve with

    You can add a link of Italian sausage with the mushrooms and pasta, then pan fry it with the mushrooms. Or cook some ground beef or turkey. Steak, shrimp, edamame, and salmon would also be good with this dish.

    Or serve mushroom green bean pasta with one of these proteins:

    • Baked Panko Chicken for One
    • Lamb Steak
    • Air Fryer Salmon
    • Panko Pork Chop for One

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    Store leftover mushroom green bean pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. This pasta dish wouldn't freeze very well.

    To reheat, add a splash of water or milk to pasta and microwave until warm. Stir together and enjoy.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Cook the mushrooms in water first. They absorb a lot of liquid, and would use up all the oil/butter. Check out this What's Eating Dan (from America's Test Kitchen) video for more information about mushrooms.
    • I don't boil water before adding pasta, it's a tip I learned from the A Better Way to Cook Pasta? video from Lan Lam, also from America's Test Kitchen.
    • Use your favorite type of pasta in your mushroom green bean pasta, I chose a twisty noodle for the sauce to stick to.
    • Steam all green beans, store leftover ones in the fridge for another dish. It'll be easier to eat them once they're cooked!
    • Double the recipe for leftovers to eat for lunch or dinner.
    • Enjoy this mushroom green bean pasta with a steak, chicken, or steamed edamame beans for protein.
    • Other great add-ins: cream or milk. You may need to add a bit of flour or have softer noodles to cook it down and thicken up a bit. Add lemon zest, sausage, TVP, cream cheese, or other vegetables. Fried onions is a good garnish too.

    FAQ

    What sauce goes with pasta?

    A simple lemon sauce, tomato sauce, alfredo sauce, or a simple mushroom sauce like this mushroom green bean pasta all go great with pasta. There are so many different sauces that go well with simple pasta.

    How do you make pasta not stick?

    Properly cooked pasta shouldn't stick. But your pasta could stick together if you don't cook it in enough water, or overcook it. If it does get a bit sticky, add a bit of olive oil to the pasta, and stir. That should help.

    How can I make pasta taste better?

    I've found that pasta always tastes better with some salt, olive oil/butter, and a good sauce. It can be simple with a few ingredients, or a complicated sauce. Focus on salting it well and adding a yummy sauce.

    pasta with mushroom sauce in a bowl with other ingredients next to it on a table

    Other good pasta recipes

    • Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta for One
    • Creamy Jerk Shrimp Pasta for One
    • Single Serving Mac and Cheese
    • One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
    • Black Bean Pasta for One
    • Canned Tomato Pasta for One
    • Single Serving Baked Mac and Cheese

    Repurpose this pasta dish

    • If you ate most of the mushroom green bean pasta and have green beans leftover, serve it with a hot steak & mashed potatoes.
    • If you have leftover green bean toppings, add them to salads, other pasta dishes, or grain bowls.

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Pasta: Any of these pasta dishes.
    • Lemon: Add it to this Pasta Carbonara, Sparkling Berry Lemonade, Copycat Starbucks Hibiscus Tea Lemonade, or add it to this Strawberry Sauce
    • Mushrooms: Roasted Broccoli and Mushrooms, Vegetarian Mushroom and Lentil Stroganoff, Mushroom Ravioli Sauce, Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Rice, or Chicken and Mushroom Soup.
    • Green Beans: Pan Seared Pork Chops, Green Lentil Coconut Curry

    Did you make this mushroom green bean pasta? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    close up of mushroom, green bean pasta in bowl

    Mushroom Green Bean Pasta for One

    This mushroom green bean pasta for one is such an easy one pot meal that's ready in about 20 minutes. It's got a light, creamy sauce with tender mushrooms and green beans. Serve with sausage or edamame.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 person
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • Medium Pot, with lid
    • Measuring cups, spoons
    • Serving spoon
    • cutting board
    • knife

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
    • ⅔ cup pasta
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • pinch salt
    • pinch onion powder
    • 1 ½ cup water or chicken/vegetable broth
    • 1-2 teaspoons butter
    • ½ cup green beans (ends cut off) or a handful
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • grated parmesan cheese
    • red pepper flakes

    Instructions

    • Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms, ⅔ cup pasta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and onion powder to large skillet. over medium/medium-high heat.
    • Cover with 1 ½ cup water or chicken broth (or water + ¾-1 teaspoon chicken bouillon paste). Cover with lid. Bring to a boil.
    • Cook until pasta is al dente, or to preferred texture. About 5-8 minutes.
    • Drain and set aside any leftover water. (you will add it back in after the mushrooms brown). Reduce heat to medium.
    • Add 1-2 teaspoons butter and ½ cup or a handful of green beans to pan.
    • Brown mushrooms, about 1-3 minutes.
    • Once mushrooms are browned, add back remaining pasta water. This will be your sauce. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Simmer until desired thickness.
    • Top with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. You can serve it as is or with Italian sausage, steak, edamame, shrimp, salmon, etc.

    Notes

    • Instead of pan frying the mushrooms first, I cook them in water, with the pasta. This is a trick I learned from America's Test Kitchen. It helps your mushrooms not soak up ALL THE fat! It's genius. 
    • I also add the mushrooms and pasta to the water before it boils. Another trick I learned from America's Test Kitchen. It's easier, saves a few minutes, and still makes great pasta.
    • Save the leftover pasta water, it's filled with starch to help your sauce stick to the pasta, and slightly thicken it. It's a great pasta trick.
    • Use your favorite type of pasta, I chose a twisty noodle for the sauce to stick to.
    • Steam all green beans, store leftover ones in the fridge for another dish. It'll be easier to eat them once they're cooked!
    • Double the recipe for leftovers to eat for lunch or dinner.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @NourishNutriCo or tag #NourishNutriCo!

    Want time saving tips to make recipes like this mushroom green bean pasta delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

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      Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta for One
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    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mama Maggie's Kitchen says

      April 20, 2020 at 1:19 am

      5 stars
      I've been thinking of what to cook for dinner tonight. This Pasta with Mushroom Sauce and Green Beans is making me totally hungry and it looks really delicious. I'm sure my family will be delighted if I serve this to them.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 20, 2020 at 7:06 pm

        woot!!!

        Reply
    2. Denay DeGuzman says

      April 19, 2020 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      What a terrific healthy, easy recipe! I love that it's packed with delicious flavors, and can be put together quickly. It's an ideal mid-week meal for busy families!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 19, 2020 at 9:55 pm

        totally! thanks

        Reply
    3. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      April 19, 2020 at 4:05 pm

      5 stars
      The mushroom sauce sounds absolutely divine! Pasta is my favourite comfort food so definitely going to be making this.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 19, 2020 at 9:55 pm

        same here! thanks

        Reply
    4. Sara Welch says

      April 19, 2020 at 3:04 pm

      5 stars
      Enjoyed this for dinner last night; it was easy and delicious and exactly what I needed! Easily, a new family favorite dish!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 19, 2020 at 9:55 pm

        great to hear

        Reply
    5. Jacqueline Debono says

      April 19, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      5 stars
      I love the combination of green beans and mushrooms in this recipe. Your pasta looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 19, 2020 at 9:56 pm

        it's such a great combo for sure!

        Reply
    5 from 5 votes

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