Creamy Pasta with Asparagus and Mushrooms
This Creamy Pasta with Asparagus and Mushrooms is simple to make in just 30 minutes, and the perfect side dish for chicken, steak, or fish!
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 350kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 bunch asparagus trimmed
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth add 1 cup water if using 16 ounces pasta
- 12 or 16 ounces noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3/4-1 cup grated parmesan divided
- Salt/Black Pepper
- Topping: additional parmesan
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium/high heat, sauté asparagus and mushrooms in olive oil until tender. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In a medium pot, bring chicken broth (plus 1 cup of water if using 16 ounces pasta) to a boil. Cook pasta until tender. There will be liquid remaining when tender. Do not drain.
- While the pasta cook, in the skillet used to sauté the vegetables, melt butter on medium-low heat. Sauté garlic until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
- Add milk and stir until it simmers. Add 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese, and stir until smooth.
- Transfer the cooked pasta and remaining liquid in the pan to the parmesan garlic sauce. Toss to coat well.
- Stir in 1/4-1/2 cup additional parmesan until well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional: Fold the reserved veggies back into the pasta. Serve topped with additional parmesan cheese.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips and Substitutions
- Cooking the Pasta: Cook pasta al dente, slightly firm to the bite, as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Seasoning: Taste as you go and adjust salt and pepper accordingly.
Parmesan is salty, so be mindful of the salt added. - Fresh Parmesan: Use freshly grated Parmesan for better flavor and creaminess.
- Milk: If you prefer a richer sauce, you can substitute milk with heavy cream or half-and-half.
- Cheese: While Parmesan is traditional, you can experiment with other cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a different flavor profile.
- Vegetables: Customize with your favorite vegetables if asparagus or mushrooms are not to your liking. Spinach, cherry tomatoes, green beans, broccoli, or peas can be good alternatives.
- Butter: For a lighter option, you can reduce the amount of butter or substitute it with olive oil.
- Broth: If you don't have chicken broth, vegetable broth can be a suitable alternative.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 14g
Tried this recipe?Mention @dinnerin321 or tag #dinnerin321!