Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked pasta, where tender asparagus and golden mushrooms dance together in a harmonious embrace of flavor. This isn't just another pasta recipe – it's a quick, elegant Italian-inspired dish that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience in just 25 minutes. Whether you're a busy home cook or a weekend culinary adventurer, this recipe promises to elevate your dinner game with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. The water should taste like sea water to properly season the pasta.
- While waiting for the water to boil, prepare your vegetables: trim the woody ends from the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Clean and slice the mushrooms, and mince the garlic cloves.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté for 4-5 minutes until they release their moisture and begin to brown.
- Add minced garlic to the mushrooms and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add asparagus pieces to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. This starchy water will help create a silky sauce.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with mushrooms and asparagus. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The pasta water and olive oil will help the seasoning coat the ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The residual heat will slightly melt the cheese, adding richness to the dish.
Tips
- Salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea! This is your first chance to build flavor into the dish.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: Asparagus and mushrooms should remain vibrant and tender-crisp. Watch them carefully to maintain their texture and nutrients.
- Reserve pasta water is your secret weapon. The starchy liquid helps create a silky, clingy sauce that coats every strand of pasta.
- Use high-quality Parmesan and grate it fresh. The difference in flavor is remarkable compared to pre-grated cheese.
- For extra depth, consider adding a splash of white wine when sautéing the mushrooms or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Choose a pasta shape that holds sauce well, like penne, fusilli, or farfalle, to maximize flavor in every bite.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 12g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 5mg
