Easy Creamy Garlic and Mushroom Pasta Recipe
Servings: 4
Time: 20 minutes
Diet: Veg
When you’re stuck for dinner ideas and want something quick, easy, and delicious, this creamy garlic and mushroom pasta is an excellent go-to recipe. Enjoy maximum flavour with minimum effort with the help of our authentic Italian ingredients that are bursting with freshness, quality, and an unbeaten Mediterranean taste. Below, we’ll let you know more about this dish and where it comes from, the specially selected ingredients that we used, how you can make the most of these Italian goodies to create this recipe, and more.
Mushrooms in Italian cuisine
Mushrooms probably don’t spring to mind first when we think of Italian food. Ingredients like garlic, parmesan, and olive oil are far more popular, but mushrooms are very common in Italy, too. In fact, regions like Veneto and Lombardy are some of the main mushroom producers in Europe. This is a seasonal ingredient that is particularly popular during the harvest period in autumn, and it is a fundamental component of many traditional dishes.
Some of the most famous mushroom varieties in Italy are:
-
Champignon
-
Portobello
-
Porcini
-
Pioppini
-
Funghi dolci (sweet mushrooms)
-
Porcini secchi (dried porcini)
-
Finferli (also known as chanterelle)
-
Ovoli (also known as Caesar’s mushrooms)
When they’re in season, mushrooms are enjoyed in many different starters and first and main courses. If you’re visiting Italy in autumn, you’re likely to find:
-
Bruschetta with porcini mushrooms
-
Carpaccio mushrooms
-
Deep-fried porcini
-
Mushroom risotto
-
Mushroom ravioli
-
Mushroom and sausage tagliatelle
-
Mushrooms with polenta
-
Stuffed mushrooms
-
Mushroom omelettes
Plus much more!
Which mushrooms are best for pasta?
The most common mushrooms used in Italian cooking are porcini. They have a unique, sweet flavour and distinctive fragrance that works really well in most Italian dishes. Champignons are also a popular choice and are often cheaper than other types.
Italians are very particular about their ingredient pairings. When it comes to mushrooms, tagliatelle is the best choice for a mushroom-based pasta dish, followed by ravioli.
You may be surprised that you won’t really find spaghetti with mushrooms in Italy. If you prefer long pasta, tagliatelle is your best bet!
Upgrade your pasta with authentic Italian ingredients
There’s nothing better than authentic, good-quality ingredients. They are absolutely essential to achieve genuine flavour and freshness that you simply won’t find elsewhere.
Here’s what we used to boost this creamy mushroom pasta recipe:
The Monti Mushroom Cream is an absolute delight and a must-have in your pantry. Made with a mixture of porcini and champignon mushrooms, it boasts a combination of rich and creamy flavour, and adds a touch of class to your meals.
Flavoured oils are an excellent way to release flavour into your dishes from the very base. They’re also great for adding essential seasoning if you happen to run out of fresh or dried herbs. This top-quality porcini-flavoured extra virgin olive oil is luxurious and helps bring the earthy flavours in this dish together.
Easy Garlic and Mushroom Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
750g porcini mushrooms (or chestnut)
70g butter
250g Casa Rinaldi Bronze Die Tagliatelle Pasta
1 tbsp Casa Rinaldi Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Porcini Mushrooms
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh thyme
3 cloves Bio Gustiamo Organic Marinated Garlic in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, crushed
150g Monti Mushroom Cream
40g parmesan cheese, grated
3 tbsp toasted pine nuts
1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
Pinch of salt and pepper
Cooking method
-
Bring a pot of plenty of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta for 6-8 minutes until al dente. Once ready, drain (but keep the pasta water - it makes an excellent soup base!) and set aside.
-
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
-
Add the butter to the shallots. Once melted, add the mushrooms and cook over a medium heat until browned. Once cooked through, stir in the thyme.
-
Next, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, allowing the garlic to release its aroma. Season with salt and pepper.
-
Add the mushroom cream and 30ml splash of cooked pasta water to loosen it up a little. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-
Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the mushroom sauce, followed by the parsley and pine nuts. Give everything a good stir, making sure that the pasta is evenly coated.
-
Check for any extra seasoning. Serve immediately with some grated parmesan and a grind of black pepper.
How to enjoy your creamy garlic and mushroom pasta
An Italian dish wouldn’t be complete without a sprinkle of parmesan cheese! Dust the top of your pasta generously with good-quality parmesan before serving it with a delicate limonata or white wine.
On the side, try an easy homemade focaccia with simple toppings like thyme and olive oil.
Why not try adapting this pasta recipe with your favourite ingredients? For some added protein, simply add some diced chicken breast or a meat-free alternative to keep it vegetarian. To add a little colour to the dish, try adding a few handfuls of spinach or thinly sliced leeks.
Summary
Whip up this flavourful dish in just 20 minutes! It’s a basic, traditional Italian recipe that you can easily create at home with our authentic Italian ingredients that add an unforgettable depth of flavour and make this simple recipe a true crowd-pleaser.
For more recipe inspiration, visit the Real Italiano blog and browse our website for a wide selection of Italian produce, delivered to your door.
