Description
This Garlic Herb Mushroom Pasta is a quick and elevated weeknight main dish that combines sautéed cremini mushrooms with aromatic garlic and fresh herbs, all tossed in a light, creamy cashew sauce. Perfect for those looking for a dairy-free yet indulgent pasta experience, this recipe is easy to prepare and satisfying, with the option to swap cashew cream for regular cream if preferred.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 16 ounces cremini mushrooms, de-stemmed and sliced
- 8 ounces spaghetti, plus ⅓ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine (such as chardonnay or pinot grigio)
- ¼ to ⅓ cup cashew cream (see below)
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh tarragon
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh chives
- ⅓ cup shaved Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cashew Cream Ingredients
- ⅓ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup water
- ½ clove garlic (a small one)
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Make the Cashew Cream: Blend together raw cashews, water, garlic, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and salt in a high-speed blender until completely smooth. The consistency should be like half & half or heavy cream. Set aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add sliced cremini mushrooms, a few generous pinches of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are soft and wilted, about 8 to 12 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until 1 minute less than package instructions for al dente texture. Before draining, reserve ⅓ cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Deglaze with Wine: To the cooked mushrooms, add the dry white wine. Stir and let it reduce for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off and flavors to concentrate.
- Add Garlic and Pasta: Stir in the minced garlic, then add the drained spaghetti to the pan. Toss to combine everything evenly.
- Create the Sauce: Add a few splashes of the prepared cashew cream along with a few splashes of reserved pasta water. Toss well to create a light, creamy sauce coating the pasta and mushrooms.
- Finish with Herbs and Seasoning: Add half of the chopped fresh tarragon and chives, and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss once more.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately and garnish with the remaining fresh herbs and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano cheese on top for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- The cashew cream can be substituted with regular cream if you are not vegan or dairy-free.
- Be sure to reserve some pasta water; its starchiness helps to bind the sauce and pasta together perfectly.
- Cooking the mushrooms slowly over medium heat ensures they wilt nicely and develop a deep, rich flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for the best taste and texture.
- You can adjust the amount of herbs to preference for a more or less intense fresh herb flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian