Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked pasta, adorned with crisp asparagus, earthy mushrooms, and delicate prosciutto - a symphony of flavors that transports you straight to the heart of Italy. This isn't just another pasta recipe; it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have your dinner guests wondering if a professional chef secretly invaded your kitchen. Get ready to elevate your cooking game with this irresistible Italian-inspired pasta masterpiece that's as easy to make as it is impressive to serve!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 4 ounces prosciutto, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Wash and trim the asparagus, cutting it into 1-inch pieces. Clean and slice the mushrooms into even, thin slices.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they release their moisture and begin to brown slightly.
- Add chopped asparagus to the skillet and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Tear or cut the prosciutto into bite-sized pieces and add to the vegetable mixture, cooking for an additional minute to warm through.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta when it reaches al dente.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with vegetables and prosciutto. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Tips
- Salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea to properly season your pasta from within.
- Save some pasta cooking water before draining. The starchy liquid helps create a silky sauce and helps ingredients cling together.
- Cook mushrooms on medium-high heat to achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and develop deeper flavor.
- Cut asparagus into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture.
- Don't overcook the asparagus - you want it tender-crisp to maintain its vibrant color and nutritional value.
- Use high-quality prosciutto and Parmesan cheese for an authentic Italian taste experience.
- Toss the pasta and vegetables quickly to prevent overcooking and maintain the perfect al dente texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 30mg
