Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta Recipe: A Zesty Delight

Crafting a delightful sun-dried tomato and mushroom pasta brings pure culinary magic to your kitchen.

Earthy mushrooms and tangy tomatoes create an unexpected flavor symphony.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully prepared bite.

Rich, robust ingredients dance together seamlessly on your plate.

Simplicity meets sophistication in this quick weeknight meal that feels like a gourmet experience.

Seasonal produce transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

You’ll want to savor every delectable forkful of this comforting pasta creation.

Why Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta Is Full Of Flavor

• Conquer Quick Comfort: A pasta dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal with minimal kitchen effort.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: Layering sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and parmesan creates a complex taste profile that surprises and delights taste buds.
• Stress-Free Cooking Magic: One-pan preparation means less cleanup, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality dinner without complicated techniques or extensive washing up.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for casual family dinners, spontaneous gatherings, or when you crave a satisfying meal that impresses without demanding professional cooking skills.

What You’ll Need For Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta

• Pasta: A fundamental component that serves as the hearty base of the dish.

• Onion: Provides a sweet and aromatic foundation for the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and flavorful depth to the overall dish.
• Mushrooms: Contributes an earthy and rich umami flavor.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Introduces a concentrated, tangy, and slightly sweet taste.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Offers a bright, herbaceous finish to the pasta.

• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth cooking medium and adds subtle flavor.
• Vegetable Broth: Provides a light and savory liquid base for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Ensures a rich and creamy texture for the sauce.
• Butter: Adds silkiness and enhances the overall mouthfeel of the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers a salty, nutty complexity to the pasta.

How To Cook Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta

Step 1: Boil Water for Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a vigorous boil. Drop the pasta into the bubbling water and cook until tender yet firm, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetable Base

Finely chop the onion and garlic into tiny pieces. These ingredients will create a flavor foundation for the sauce.

Step 3: Sauté Onions

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until they turn soft and golden, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Add Garlic Aroma

Toss minced garlic into the skillet. Stir quickly to prevent burning and release its delightful fragrance.

Step 5: Introduce Mushrooms and Tomatoes

Slice fresh mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. Add them to the skillet, allowing them to caramelize and develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour vegetable broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Stir to combine and create a luxurious sauce that will beautifully coat the pasta.

Step 7: Drain Pasta

Carefully drain the cooked pasta, keeping a small amount of pasta water nearby in case you need to adjust the sauce consistency.

Step 8: Incorporate Butter

Add butter to the vegetable mixture. Stir until it melts completely, creating a smooth and silky texture.

Step 9: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Gently mix the pasta with the sauce, ensuring every strand gets thoroughly coated with the delicious mixture.

Step 10: Add Final Touches

Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves over the dish. This adds a final layer of flavor and freshness.

Step 11: Season to Perfection

Enhance the dish with salt and black pepper. Give a final gentle stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the pasta immediately. The vibrant dish showcases the robust flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms, ready to delight your taste buds.

Helpful Tips For Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta

• Master Pasta Water Technique: Save a cup of starchy pasta water to help sauce cling perfectly to noodles, creating a silky, smooth texture that enhances overall dish consistency.
• Prevent Garlic Burning: Quickly stir minced garlic and remove from heat within 30 seconds to avoid bitter, acrid flavors that can ruin the sauce's delicate balance.
• Caramelize Vegetables Properly: Sauté mushrooms and onions on medium-high heat to develop deep, rich browning that concentrates their natural sweetness and umami profile.
• Balance Cream Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by gradually adding reserved pasta water if the mixture becomes too thick, ensuring a luxurious yet light coating.

Creative Takes On Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta

• Gluten-Free Pasta Delight: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like rice or chickpea pasta for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Creamy Mushroom Experience: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk, use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan, and swap butter with olive oil for a plant-based adaptation.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the rich vegetable and sauce flavors.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Enhance the dish by adding roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, and replacing basil with fresh oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired profile.

Best Sides For Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta

• Enhance the Dining Experience: Perfect Pairings
• Select a Crisp White Wine: Choose a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the creamy sauce and earthy mushroom flavors, cutting through the richness with bright acidity.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Toss mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette and light herbs like arugula to provide a zesty contrast against the pasta's rich and creamy texture.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare a toasted baguette with garlic butter and parsley to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy textural element to the meal.
• Recommend a Light Beverage Pairing: Select sparkling water with a slice of lemon or a crisp sauvignon blanc to refresh the palate between bites of the hearty pasta dish.

How To Store Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn, and store for up to 2 months.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of vegetable broth or cream to restore moisture and prevent sticking, stirring gently until heated through.

FAQ Guide For Sun-Dried Tomato and Mushroom Pasta

• What makes the pasta sauce creamy?

The sauce becomes creamy by combining vegetable broth and heavy cream, which creates a rich, smooth texture that coats the pasta perfectly.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, the recipe is already vegetarian. Simply ensure you use vegetarian parmesan cheese or replace it with a plant-based alternative like nutritional yeast.

• How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

Add minced garlic after sautéing onions and stir quickly over medium heat. This technique helps release the garlic’s flavor without scorching it.

• Why should I reserve some pasta water?

Pasta water contains starch that can help adjust the sauce’s consistency if it becomes too thick, ensuring a perfect sauce-to-pasta ratio.

Sun-Dried Tomato And Mushroom Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy sun-dried tomato and mushroom pasta brings Italian countryside comfort to your dinner table. Bold Mediterranean flavors merge with silky sauce, creating a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 lb pasta (spaghetti or penne)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Vegetables:

• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 cups fresh mushrooms
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 medium onion

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh basil
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the pasta until it reaches an al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta variety.
2. While the water heats, finely dice the onion and mince the garlic, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sautéing the onions until they become translucent and slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add minced garlic to the skillet, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release its aromatic essence.
5. Slice the fresh mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes, then introduce them to the skillet, allowing them to caramelize and develop deep, rich flavors.
6. Pour in the vegetable broth and heavy cream, creating a luscious sauce that will coat the pasta beautifully.
7. Drain the cooked pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
8. Incorporate butter into the vegetable mixture, stirring until it melts completely and creates a silky texture.
9. Combine the pasta with the sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure every strand is generously coated.
10. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves over the dish, adding a final layer of complexity and freshness.
11. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, giving a final gentle stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.
12. Serve immediately, presenting a vibrant and aromatic pasta dish that celebrates the robust flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms.

Notes

• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the sauce’s creamy texture.
• Toast sun-dried tomatoes briefly before adding to intensify their concentrated, tangy flavor profile.
• Reserve pasta water strategically to adjust sauce consistency, creating a silky, perfectly coated pasta dish.
• Enhance vegetarian version by adding roasted pine nuts or nutritional yeast for extra protein and nutty depth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg