This creamy mushroom pasta isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, perfect for those evenings when you crave something deeply satisfying. Let’s dive into the detailed cooking steps to ensure your culinary adventure is a success.
Ingredient Prep
- Mushrooms: The unsung heroes of this dish. Begin by cleaning your mushrooms with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt. Slice them evenly to ensure consistent cooking. Although button mushrooms are suggested for their mild flavor and easy availability, feel free to explore with varieties like cremini for a deeper taste.
- Garlic: Peel and mince your garlic cloves finely. This will be the flavor booster in your creamy sauce.
- Parsley: Wash, dry, and chop your parsley. This will add a fresh finish to the rich and creamy pasta.
- Pasta: Choose your pasta. Whether it’s fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti, ensure it’s something that holds sauce well.
Cooking the Pasta
- Boil Water: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. The salted water not only flavors the pasta but also helps the sauce stick to it later on.
- Cook Pasta: Add your pasta to the boiling water and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook it until it’s just shy of al dente. Remember, the pasta will continue to cook in the sauce, so it’s crucial not to overdo it here.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining, save a cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy liquid is gold for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
Sautéing the Mushrooms
- Heat the Pan: In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add the mushrooms in a single layer, allowing them to brown without crowding. Let them sear undisturbed for a few minutes before giving them a stir. This process caramelizes the mushrooms, enhancing their flavor.
- Season: Once the mushrooms are golden and crispy, season them with salt. This late salting ensures they’re perfectly seared and full of flavor.
Creating the Garlic Butter Sauce
- Add Garlic and Butter: With the mushrooms nicely browned, add the minced garlic and chunks of butter to the skillet. Stir continuously, allowing the garlic to become fragrant but not burnt.
- Pour in Cream: Lower the heat and slowly pour in your oat cream, stirring to combine with the mushrooms, garlic, and butter. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, thickening into a rich sauce.
Combining the Elements
- Pasta into Sauce: Transfer the slightly undercooked pasta directly into the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Gradually add the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. The starch in the water helps emulsify the sauce, ensuring it clings to every piece of pasta.
- Final Touches: As the pasta finishes cooking in the sauce, it absorbs the flavors, becoming a harmonious dish. Finish by stirring in the chopped parsley and adjusting the seasoning to taste.
Serving
Plate your creamy mushroom pasta, garnishing it with an extra sprinkle of parsley and some freshly grated cheese for that perfect finishing touch. Each bite promises a blend of flavors and textures that make this dish a comforting yet sophisticated meal.
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This Creamy Mushroom Pasta recipe elevates a classic comfort food with the addition of luxurious oat cream and a rich, plant-based Parmesan. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish that beautifully combines the earthy flavors of mushrooms with the creamy texture of the sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Skillet or large frying pan
- Colander for draining pasta
- Stirring spoon
Ingredients
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 7 oz button mushrooms, sliced or 200g
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 7 oz oat cream or 200ml
- Plant-based Parmesan to taste, plus extra for serving
- 14 oz pasta of your choice or 400g
- Reserved pasta water about 1/4 cup or 60ml
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Start by preparing all your ingredients. Chop the onion finely, slice the mushrooms, mince the garlic, and grate the plant-based Parmesan. Set everything aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water for later. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sliced mushrooms. Season with salt to taste. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Butter: Once the mushrooms are golden, add the minced garlic and butter to the skillet. Stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add Oat Cream: Reduce the heat to low and pour in the oat cream. Stir well to combine and allow the mixture to simmer gently for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate the Plant-Based Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated plant-based Parmesan into the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Pour in the reserved pasta water to help emulsify the sauce and coat the pasta evenly. Gently mix everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy mushroom sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving plates. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of plant-based Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your enhanced creamy mushroom pasta with garlic butter!
Notes
This recipe can be easily adapted to include additional vegetables or substitute ingredients based on dietary preferences or restrictions.
The use of reserved pasta water helps to create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings to the pasta beautifully.
Fresh parsley not only adds a burst of color but also enhances the flavors of the dish with its fresh, herbaceous notes.
For best results, serve immediately while the pasta is hot and the sauce is creamy.
The use of reserved pasta water helps to create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings to the pasta beautifully.
Fresh parsley not only adds a burst of color but also enhances the flavors of the dish with its fresh, herbaceous notes.
For best results, serve immediately while the pasta is hot and the sauce is creamy.