Spaghetti with mushrooms
Instructions
Clean and prep the mushrooms
Cleaning the mushrooms properly is essential. Start by gently brushing them with a damp kitchen towel to remove any soil or grime. Avoid washing them underwater, as they can absorb moisture and become soggy. If the mushrooms are large, slice them into smaller pieces of similar size to ensure they cook evenly.
Al dente pasta
To achieve the perfect al dente texture in your spaghetti with mushrooms, cook the pasta for one to two minutes less than the package instructions suggest. This ensures the spaghetti remains firm to the bite, a quality known in Italian as 'al dente'. Cooking the pasta this way improves its texture and enhances its ability to absorb the rich flavours of the mushrooms and white cheese, lifting the overall quality of the dish.
Use pasta water
To achieve a creamy texture in your spaghetti with mushrooms, save some pasta cooking water before draining. Mix this starchy water with the spaghetti, mushrooms, and white cheese to form a silky sauce that coats each strand of spaghetti well. This improves the texture and deepens the flavour, making the sauce richer and more abundant. It is a straightforward yet effective Italian tip that turns good pasta into great pasta.
FAQ: Questions about spaghetti with mushrooms
Whether you want to know the best mushrooms to use or how to store leftovers, our FAQ section has the answers to help you perfect this delightful dish.
Ingredients
|
Shallot
|
1 |
|---|---|
|
Garlic clove
|
1 |
|
Beech mushrooms (or chestnut mushrooms)
|
150 g |
| 275 g | |
|
Almonds
|
10 |
|
Capers
|
2 tbsp |
|
Water
|
4 l |
|
Sea salt
|
½ tbsp |
|
Spaghetti
|
400 g |
|
Butter
|
60 g |
|
Oregano sprigs
|
10 |
|
Flat-leaf parsley sprigs
|
10 |
|
Lemon, grated zest
|
½ |
|
Salt and pepper to taste
|
Other recipes
Quick and easy spaghetti with mushrooms
Enjoy a bowl of our version of easy spaghetti with mushrooms and relish the many tantalising ingredients it is filled with. Capers, almonds, and white cheese are just some of the highlights, and they all assist in making the tender spaghetti and delicious mushroom stand out. When you sauté mushrooms, they start browning, which enhances their inherent umami qualities. Taking it one step further, it is crucial to let the mushrooms sear until they achieve a golden-brown crust. This way, you maximise the mushroom flavours by turning a simple, quick-to-make recipe into a powerhouse of nuances.
With creamy white cheese, crunchy nuts, and a zesty lemon finish
White cheese, nuts, and lemon add fresh flavours and thrilling textures to the meal. White cheese is tangy and creamy, which works well when mixed in with the crunchy almonds. Their mild, buttery flavour adds a rich layer, while a dose of grated lemon zest brings a refreshing zing. Although the tender, umami-flavoured mushrooms can be considered the star of the show, it is clearly supported by a group of great ingredients.
A briny flavour with a floral tartness from capers
Capers inject a bold, briny twist to this spaghetti with tender mushrooms. They are an exciting addition, providing a pronounced tangy note. Their slightly floral tartness complements the rich white cheese and the nutty aroma of the browned butter, bringing a vibrant layer of flavour to the meal. The capers cut through the earthy mushrooms to give the dish a refreshing lift. As a bonus, they are incredibly easy to cook. Simply add them to the pan and let their sharp notes enhance the meal.
A delicious everyday pasta dish
We all have our go-to everyday pasta recipes that brighten our smiles even on the busiest workdays. Allow us to offer another delicious weeknight spaghetti meal – this time with easy-to-prepare mushrooms, capers, and white cheese. Whenever you need a quick dish to throw together, you can now think of this spaghetti with mushrooms. Made in less than half an hour, it is also the ideal choice to prepare as a hearty weekend lunch if you want to satiate your pasta cravings. And even though it is made superfast, it still bombards your palate with tender, crunchy ingredients and delicious, deep flavours.
We have plenty of easy dinner recipes to cover the whole week. If you want more quick pasta recipes, try our courgette lemon pasta, which can be made in twenty minutes, our fifteen-minute prawn and pea pasta, or our courgette pasta salad, which you can make in half an hour.
Play around with the ingredients
Explore the creative part of your cooking personality and play around with the recipe. Now that the capers and mushrooms are allowed to deepen the dish, consider experimenting with similar flavours. For a more savoury touch, try adding anchovies or black olives. The anchovies melt into the sauce, adding a deep, umami flavour, while the olives bring a briny, tangy element that matches the capers.
Another suggestion is to add roasted cherry tomatoes to bring a sweet, caramelised note that complements the savoury elements of the dish. Roasted red peppers or courgettes offer a smoky, rich flavour and a burst of colour that brightens up the plate. Similarly, toss in a handful of spinach or rocket salad just before serving. The greens add a gorgeous hue as they wilt gently into the warm pasta, providing a fresh, peppery bite that balances the creaminess of the cheese and the richness of the mushrooms.
