Description
A creamy and flavorful dish featuring orecchiette pasta tossed in a rich mushroom and thyme sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces orecchiette pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (such as cremini or button)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and have released their moisture.
- Sprinkle in the thyme and pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for about 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer for another 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked orecchiette to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and mix well. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- For added protein, consider adding cooked chicken or sautéed shrimp to the dish.
- Substitute the mushrooms with spinach or kale for a different flavor and added nutrients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg