Description
Rich nutty brown butter and golden sautéed mushrooms create an unforgettable sauce for this quick vegetarian pasta dinner. This simple dish uses earthy cremini mushrooms and crispy toasted panko breadcrumbs for textural contrast.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to the package directions until al dente.
- Reserve one half cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the noodles.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and toast the panko breadcrumbs for 3 minutes until golden brown then remove them to a small bowl.
- Return the skillet to the stove over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of the butter.
- Slice the mushrooms and add them to the skillet to sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until they release their liquid and turn deep brown.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the skillet with the mushrooms.
- Cook the butter and mushrooms together for 3 minutes swirling the pan frequently until the butter foams and the milk solids turn a nutty golden brown color.
- Stir in the minced garlic and fresh thyme leaves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the cooked pasta, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and the reserved pasta water to the skillet.
- Toss the pasta vigorously with tongs for 2 minutes until the sauce emulsifies and coats the noodles evenly.
- Season the dish with the kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately topped with the toasted breadcrumbs and chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- This dish is a comforting meatless option.
- The toasted panko adds a delightful textural contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American