Mushroom Broccoli Pasta

If you are looking for a mushroom and broccoli recipe to make for dinner tonight, try this easy pasta recipe. This mushroom broccoli pasta is loaded with healthy vegetables and a creamy white sauce.  It's a creative way to make your whole family eat more veggies.

This mushroom broccoli pasta has it all. It's so flavorful, easy to put together, and is budget-friendly! It's the ultimate healthy comfort food that you'll make over and over again. It also makes for great leftovers and a tasty lunch the next day. 

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• Mushroom Broccoli Pasta Ingredients
• How to Make Mushroom Broccoli Pasta
• 📖 Recipe
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Mushroom Broccoli Pasta Ingredients

To make this mushroom and broccoli pasta you'll need a pasta of your choice, mushrooms, garlic, broccoli, dried thyme, butter, oil, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and dry white wine.

Pasta. In this recipe, I used penne pasta, but any form of pasta such as spaghetti or spiral pasta will work as well. I usually keep a few different types of pasta in my cupboard but they're so interchangeable.

Mushrooms. You can use any type of mushroom, such as cremini, white button mushroom, portobello, or Shiitake.

Mushrooms have always been a favorite veggie of mine and I find them especially tasty in dishes that have a sauce.

Butter. It makes a thick and smooth sauce without adding texture or making the sauce oily. It's optional and you can skip it as you wish. 

Lemon and zest. It's the secret ingredient that makes so many foods taste better! The lemon helps bring out the flavor and reduces the greasiness and heaviness of the pasta and the sauce. As a result, you will have better-tasting pasta with a refreshing flavor in every bite.

Heavy cream. It's used to thicken and add flavors to the sauce. It's commonly used to make alfredo sauce. Alternatively, you can use a combination of butter and milk for a lighter version of the dish.

Cheese. You can use freshly grated parmesan cheese or pecorino romano. Please keep in mind that pecorino romano is saltier than parmesan.

How to Make Mushroom Broccoli Pasta

 
The preparation and cooking process of this broccoli and mushroom pasta dish is rather simple. It starts with blanching the broccoli, cooking the pasta until almost al-dente, sauteeing the mushrooms, then combining all of the ingredients together with the sauce.

Step 1. Blanch the Broccoli

Why blanch the broccoli instead of sauteing it? You could either blanch or saute the broccoli. I've done both methods before and I think that blanching the broccoli helps retain the color, vitamins, flavor, and texture. 

• Fill a large pot with 8 cups of water and bring to a rapid boil over high heat. Season the water with ¾ tablespoon of salt.
• Blanch the broccoli for 2 minutes. Remove from the pot and set aside.

Step 2. Cook the Pasta

• Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Keep stirring periodically to ensure even cooking and to keep the pasta from clumping together.
• Reserve about ¼ cup of pasta water.

Step 3. Cook the Mushroom and Garlic

• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half of the sliced mushrooms, undisturbed, for 2 minutes. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes until the mushrooms are brown. Set aside.
• Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the pot and repeat the process to cook the remaining mushrooms.
• Return all of the cooked mushrooms to the pot, add garlic, and dried thyme, and cook for 30 seconds on medium-low heat.
• Add white wine and deglaze the pan until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 4. Add the Pasta and Make the White Sauce

• Add the cooked pasta, cream, and pasta water into the pot. Increase the heat to medium, and simmer, tossing the pasta constantly for 2½ minutes.
• Add the broccoli to the pot and stir for 2 minutes then turn off the heat.

Step 5. Add the Cheese and Lemon

• Add butter, lemon, lemon zest, and parmesan cheese to the pot. Stir to combine.
• Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, black pepper, and/or parmesan cheese.

FAQ and Cooking Tips

Check Out More Delicious Pasta Recipes

• Gnocchi Alfredo Recipe
• Pasta with Mussels
• Easy Canned Clam Pasta
• Squid Pasta with Marinara Sauce
• Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta
• Instant Pot Penne Pasta
• Bratwurst Pasta
• One-Pot Penne Pasta
• White Sauce Pasta
• Canned Tuna Pasta
• Anchovy Pasta with Capers

I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.

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