Joey and I have completely different styles when it comes to cooking.
I’m a measurements person. He’s an “add it until it tastes right” person.
I subscribe to the “clean as you go” philosophy. He waits until the meal is over.
I search cookbooks and online for ingredients that meld well. He goes with his gut.
So, it was a little out of character for me when he walked into the kitchen to me scrutinizing a video on my phone while furiously scribbling down notes.
I watched a video of a person with the online handle of “Everything Delish” make what appeared to be an amazing creamy mushroom pasta, but after a long search, I realized that if I wanted to recreate the recipe, I was going to have to figure it out for myself.
I found her through her Pinterest page, if you’re interested in watching the video as well, and she has a website at everything-delish.com, although I couldn’t find this particular recipe on it. So, for the most part, the following is my interpretation.
One Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts cut into two-inch cubes
- 6 to 8 cloves garlic minced
- 16 ounces mushrooms sliced (I used baby bellas)
- 4 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk or cream
- 12 ounces linguine pasta dry
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup parmesan-reggiano cheese grated
- 6 ounces parmesan shredded
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or a large pan with a lid over medium heat.
- Add the chicken and brown on all sides. Don’t worry about cooking it all the way through. Add in the garlic, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, basil, onion powder, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Cook for several minutes, letting the garlic brown slightly.
- Add in the chicken broth and milk. Raise the heat to a low boil.
- Add in the dry pasta. Stir to incorporate it. A bit, then lower the heat to a simmer and place the lid on the pan. Let the pasta cook for about eight minutes or until it is al dente.
- Remove the lid and stir. Stir in the flour, then add the cheeses and continue stirring regularly for five to 10 minutes, making sure to scrape the bottom to keep the cheese from sticking. Once the sauce reduces into a thicker, creamier consistency, stir in the fresh spinach. Let the pasta continue to heat through until the spinach is wilted, and serve.
This was so, so good. I was really nervous at first that the sauce wasn’t going to thicken, but after being patient, it finally got to a great consistency.
It also reheated really well out of the fridge, and Joey and I got several meals out of it.
When Joey figured out I was winging a recipe, he seemed a bit proud of me. I think maybe after a decade of marriage, he might finally be rubbing off on me.
Except for the whole kitchen cleaning thing. I’m not quite there yet.
This piece first appeared in print on June 3, 2021.
Spice Up Your Life is a weekly newspaper column written by Lindsey Young in south central Kansas. If you are interested in sponsoring this column, please contact us through the “Contact Lindsey” link at the top of the page.