Description
Scrumptious mushroom and garlic spaghetti delight combines earthy funghi with robust Mediterranean flavors. Pasta enthusiasts savor this quick, elegant meal that delivers complex tastes in mere minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) dried spaghetti
- 1 lb (454 g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsps coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Boiling Pasta: Ignite a large pot of water with a hearty salt infusion, bringing to a rolling boil. Immerse spaghetti and cook until achieving the quintessential al dente texture, tracking time meticulously per package instructions.
- Mushroom Transformation: Unleash butter and olive oil in a capacious skillet, creating a sumptuous cooking canvas. Introduce sliced mushrooms, seasoning with salt and black pepper, coaxing them into a caramelized, golden-brown splendor through patient sautéing.
- Aromatic Fusion: Cascade minced garlic and red pepper flakes into the mushroom landscape, supplementing with residual butter. Swirl and sauté briefly, allowing herbs and spices to unleash their vibrant essence and create a complex flavor profile.
- Harmonious Integration: Liberate pasta from its water bath, reserving a splash of starchy liquid. Merge spaghetti, cooking liquid, and Pecorino Romano cheese with the mushroom medley, whisking enthusiastically until a silken sauce embraces each pasta strand.
- Culinary Finale: Crown the dish with a verdant shower of chopped parsley, imparting fresh herbaceous notes and visual vibrancy. Serve piping hot, with optional additional cheese for garnishing. Refrigerate any remnants in a sealed container, consuming within 3 days and reviving with a droplet of water when reheating.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some starchy pasta water before draining to create a silky, clingy sauce that helps cheese and mushroom flavors adhere perfectly to the spaghetti.
- Mushroom Caramelization Technique: Let mushrooms cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a rich, golden-brown exterior that intensifies their deep, umami flavor profile.
- Garlic Timing is Critical: Add minced garlic in the last minute of sautéing to prevent burning and ensure a sweet, mellow garlic essence without bitter undertones.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Grate Pecorino Romano freshly and add off the heat to prevent clumping, allowing residual warmth to gently melt the cheese into a smooth, creamy coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 464
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 282 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg