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Asparagus Mushroom Pasta

A quick weeknight pasta dish featuring earthy mushrooms and crisp-tender asparagus in a simple garlic butter sauce, ready in under twenty minutes.
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken broth)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms in a single layer and let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Stir in asparagus pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until asparagus turns bright green and becomes crisp-tender.
  4. Push vegetables to one side of the pan and add butter to the empty space. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in white wine and let it bubble for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with vegetables. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce coats each piece beautifully. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

Reserve pasta water for creating a silky sauce. Don't overcrowd mushrooms in the pan or they'll steam instead of browning. Avoid overcooking asparagus - it should still have a slight bite. Don't add cheese while pan is still on heat to prevent clumping. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with broth or pasta water. Does not freeze well due to asparagus texture.