Indulge in a delightful dish of farfalle pasta with a rich and creamy sauce, enhanced by the earthy flavors of mushrooms and the freshness of spinach. This recipe combines a medley of textures and tastes, creating a memorable meal that is both comforting and elegant.
Photos of Farfalle Pasta With Mushrooms and Spinach Recipe
When preparing this recipe, a few ingredients may not be staples in your pantry and could require a trip to the supermarket. Sun dried tomatoes, with their intense, concentrated flavor, might not be on hand. Additionally, heavy cream is essential for the sauce's richness, and baby spinach leaves add a fresh element to the dish. Ensure you also have parmesan cheese for that perfect touch of umami.
Ingredients for Farfalle Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach
Farfalle pasta: A butterfly-shaped pasta that holds the creamy sauce well.
Butter: Adds richness and helps to sauté the vegetables.
Mushrooms: Brings an earthy flavor and meaty texture to the dish.
Baby spinach leaves: Adds freshness and a vibrant green color.
Sun dried tomatoes: Offers a concentrated, sweet-tart flavor.
Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with a slight pungency.
Heavy cream: Creates a luscious, creamy sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce, adding a savory depth.
Salt: Essential for seasoning the dish and enhancing flavors.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and complexity.
Parsley: Provides a fresh, herbaceous finish.
One reader, Brodie Mccall says:
This farfalle pasta with mushrooms and spinach is a delightful dish! The creamy sauce perfectly complements the tender mushrooms and fresh spinach. The sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavor. It's a quick, easy, and delicious meal that feels gourmet. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Farfalle Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach
How to cook pasta: Boil salted water, add pasta, and cook according to package directions until al dente. How to sauté mushrooms: Heat butter in a pan, add mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender and browned. How to wilt spinach: Add spinach to the pan with cooked mushrooms and stir until wilted. How to make cream sauce: Melt butter, add cream, simmer until thickened, and whisk in parmesan cheese until melted. How to combine ingredients: Mix cooked pasta, vegetable mixture, and sauce together in the pan before serving.
How To Make Farfalle Pasta With Mushrooms and Spinach
This Tuscan-inspired farfalle pasta has spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mushrooms tossed in a cream and parmesan-based pasta sauce.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 10ozfarfalle pasta
- 5tbspbutter,divided use
- 12ozmushrooms,sliced
- 2cupsbaby spinach leaves
- ½cupsun dried tomatoes,(oil packed), coarsely chopped
- 1½tspgarlic,minced
- 1cupheavy cream
- ¾cupparmesan cheese,freshly grated
- Salt and pepper,to taste
- 2tbspparsley,chopped
Instructions
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Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions.
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Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large pan over medium high heat.
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Add the mushrooms to the pan and season with salt and pepper.
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Cook the mushrooms for 4 to 6 minutes or until tender and browned. Stir in the spinach leaves and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until wilted.
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Add the sun dried tomatoes and stir to combine.
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Add the garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove the vegetable mixture from the pan and cover to keep warm.
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Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in the pan over medium low heat.
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Add the cream and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes or until just thickened – do not boil.
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Whisk in the parmesan cheese, stirring continuously, until cheese has melted.
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Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
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Drain the pasta and add to the pan of sauce. Add the vegetable mixture to the pan and stir to combine. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.
Nutrition
- Calories: 746.38kcal
- Fat: 45.24g
- Saturated Fat: 27.68g
- Trans Fat: 0.58g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 12.35g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.15g
- Carbohydrates: 63.20g
- Fiber: 4.35g
- Sugar: 8.06g
- Protein: 24.51g
- Cholesterol: 138.64mg
- Sodium: 643.19mg
- Calcium: 411.19mg
- Potassium: 788.04mg
- Iron: 2.56mg
- Vitamin A: 458.31µg
- Vitamin C: 9.05mg
Technique Tip for Perfectly Cooking Farfalle Pasta
When cooking mushrooms, avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure they brown properly. Overcrowding causes them to steam instead of sauté, which can result in a rubbery texture. Cook them in batches if necessary.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Pasta Recipe
Pre-slice mushrooms: Buy pre-sliced mushrooms to save time on prep work.
Use pre-washed spinach: Opt for pre-washed baby spinach leaves to skip the washing step.
Quick-cook pasta: Use quick-cooking farfalle pasta to reduce boiling time.
Ready-made sun dried tomatoes: Purchase sun dried tomatoes that are already julienned.
Minced garlic: Use pre-minced garlic to save chopping time.
Pre-grated parmesan: Buy pre-grated parmesan cheese to avoid grating it yourself.
One-pan method: Cook the vegetables and sauce in the same pan to minimize cleanup.
Substitute Ingredients For Farfalle Pasta With Mushrooms and Spinach Recipe
farfalle pasta - Substitute with penne pasta: Penne has a similar texture and can hold the sauce well.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides a healthier fat option and a different flavor profile.
mushrooms - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini offers a similar texture and absorbs flavors well.
baby spinach leaves - Substitute with kale: Kale is a hearty green that holds up well in cooking and provides a similar nutritional profile.
sun dried tomatoes - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers offer a sweet and smoky flavor that complements the dish.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can enhance the dish.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk offers a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness, making it a good dairy-free alternative.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar texture and a slightly saltier flavor, which can enhance the dish.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds umami and a bit of saltiness, enhancing the overall flavor.
pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat and complexity to the dish.
parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh, citrusy flavor that can brighten up the dish.
Best Way to Present Farfalle Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present a refined portion of farfalle pasta to maintain elegance and sophistication on the plate.
Use decoration: Garnish the dish with finely chopped parsley and a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese to add a touch of color and texture.
Layer the ingredients: Arrange the mushrooms and spinach mixture on the plate first, creating a bed for the pasta. This adds depth and visual appeal.
Drizzle the sauce: Lightly drizzle the cream sauce over the pasta and vegetables, ensuring even coverage without overwhelming the dish.
Highlight key ingredients: Place a few pieces of sun-dried tomatoes strategically on top to highlight their presence and add bursts of color.
Use a clean, white plate: Serve the dish on a pristine, white plate to make the vibrant colors of the spinach, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes stand out.
Add a touch of luxury: Finish with a light drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper for an added layer of flavor and elegance.
Balance the elements: Ensure that each plate has a balanced amount of pasta, vegetables, and sauce to create a harmonious and visually appealing presentation.
Use fresh herbs: Garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley or a few leaves of baby spinach to add a touch of freshness and elevate the overall presentation.
Serve immediately: Ensure the dish is served hot to maintain the integrity of the sauce and the texture of the pasta and vegetables.
Essential Tools for Making Farfalle Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach
Large pot: Used for cooking the pasta in salted water according to package directions.
Large pan: Essential for sautéing the mushrooms, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, as well as for making the cream sauce.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the vegetables and sauce without scratching the pan.
Whisk: Necessary for whisking the parmesan cheese into the cream sauce to ensure it melts smoothly.
Colander: Used to drain the cooked pasta before adding it to the sauce.
Measuring spoons: Important for accurately measuring the butter, garlic, and parsley.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the garlic and parsley.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the garlic and parsley.
Tongs: Useful for tossing the pasta with the sauce and vegetables.
Ladle: Handy for serving the pasta onto plates.
How To Store and Freeze Leftover Farfalle Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach
- To store leftover farfalle pasta with mushrooms and spinach, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- When reheating, add a splash of water or cream to help loosen the sauce and prevent the pasta from drying out. Heat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the pasta dish. Transfer the cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container with the date and contents for easy reference. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat frozen farfalle pasta with mushrooms and spinach, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally and adding a little water or cream if needed to restore the sauce's consistency.
- Note: The texture of the pasta and vegetables may change slightly after freezing and reheating, but the dish will still be flavorful and enjoyable.
How To Reheat Leftover Farfalle Pasta
Reheat the farfalle pasta in a large pot of boiling water for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Drain well and set aside. This method helps to maintain the texture and shape of the pasta without making it too soft or mushy.
In a large skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the leftover mushrooms, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until heated through and any excess liquid has evaporated.
Pour the leftover cream sauce into the skillet with the vegetables and stir to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of heavy cream or milk to thin it out.
Add the reheated farfalle pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce and vegetables. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the pasta is heated through and the flavors have melded together.
If desired, grate some fresh Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta for added flavor and richness.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve the reheated farfalle pasta with mushrooms and spinach immediately while it's still hot. Enjoy the delicious, creamy, and savory flavors of this classic Italian dish!
Is Making Farfalle Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach Economical for Home Cooking?
This farfalle pasta with mushrooms and spinach recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like pasta, mushrooms, and spinach are relatively affordable and widely available. The use of heavy cream and parmesan cheese adds a touch of luxury without breaking the bank. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $15-$20 USD.
Is This Pasta Dish Healthy or Unhealthy?
The farfalle pasta with mushrooms and spinach recipe is a delicious and indulgent dish, but it may not be the healthiest option due to its high calorie and fat content. The recipe includes a significant amount of butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, which contribute to its rich flavor but also increase its saturated fat and calorie count. However, the dish does incorporate some healthy ingredients, such as mushrooms and spinach, which provide essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of butter used in the recipe or replace it with a healthier alternative like olive oil
- Swap the heavy cream for a lower-fat option, such as half-and-half or evaporated milk
- Increase the proportion of vegetables in the dish, such as adding more mushrooms, spinach, or other nutrient-dense vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini
- Use whole wheat or legume-based pasta to increase the fiber content and nutritional value of the dish
- Reduce the amount of parmesan cheese or opt for a lower-fat cheese alternative
- Add lean protein sources, such as grilled chicken or shrimp, to balance out the meal and provide additional nutrients
Editor's Thoughts on This Delightful Pasta Dish
This farfalle pasta with mushrooms and spinach is a delightful, well-balanced dish. The combination of earthy mushrooms, vibrant spinach, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes creates a rich and satisfying flavor profile. The creamy Parmesan sauce adds a luxurious touch, while the garlic enhances the overall depth. The use of butter ensures a velvety texture, and the parsley garnish provides a fresh finish. It's a comforting yet elegant meal that's perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
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Why trust this Farfalle Pasta With Mushrooms and Spinach Recipe:
This recipe for farfalle pasta with mushrooms and spinach is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The creamy parmesan sauce perfectly complements the earthy mushrooms and fresh spinach. With easy-to-follow steps and readily available ingredients, it's perfect for both novice and experienced cooks. Trust this recipe for a satisfying and delicious meal that brings restaurant-quality dining to your home.
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