Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Last weekend, as the weather couldn't quite decide whether to be hot or cold, we found ourselves cozied up indoors, relishing the opportunity to cook a meal together. We settled on a creamy mushroom pasta that promised warmth and satisfaction on a temperamental day.

Ingredients:

 300g pasta of your choice, I am using spaghetti

300g mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

half a pepper, chopped

half a zucchini, chopped

4 sun dried tomatoes, chopped  

200ml heavy cream

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp tomato puree

Salt and pepper to taste

herbs and spices to taste: dried parsley, dried basil, paprika

Fresh basil for garnish

Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method:

 1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.

2. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauteing until softened and fragrant. Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan, cooking until they are golden brown and tender. Add rest of the vegetables and cook until soft and golden brown. Then add tomato puree. 

3. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine with the mushrooms. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed. Add the spices to taste.

4. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing until it is evenly coated with the creamy mushroom sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can loosen it with a splash of reserved pasta water.

5. Serve the creamy mushroom pasta hot, garnished with freshly basil and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

As we enjoyed each bite of the creamy pasta, we felt comforted by its simple goodness. The sauce was rich and smooth, blending perfectly with the earthy taste of the mushrooms. Even the kids couldn't get enough!

With the rain softly falling outside, we found happiness in cooking together. Throughout the weekend, we cherished these moments of togetherness and the joy of cooking as a family. 

I promised the kids they could help out more often. Of course, they wanted to do the chopping, much to a mother's dismay 😊

 Enjoy!