Creamy Tomato Pasta with Mushrooms and Broccoli
This delightful dish transforms ordinary pasta into an exciting meal that even non-pasta-salad enthusiasts will love! Inspired by a treasured recipe from The Pasta Salad Cookbook, this creamy tomato pasta is packed with earthy mushrooms and vibrant broccoli, combining perfectly to create a satisfying texture and flavor profile. The rich light cream sauce, accented by herbs, envelops the rotelle pasta elegantly. Each serving is made even more glorious with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, inviting you to savor the marriage of flavors. It's an ideal dish for any occasion, whether it's a weeknight dinner or a special gathering with friends.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
rotelle pasta
8 ounces (cooked until al dente)
mushrooms
1 lb (quartered)
broccoli
1 1/2 cups (coarsely chopped and blanched)
olive oil
3 tablespoons (for sautéing and tossing pasta)
light cream
1 cup (added to sauce)
canned plum tomatoes
1 cup (drained and coarsely chopped)
crushed dried oregano
1 teaspoon (seasoning)
dried basil
1 teaspoon (seasoning)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (adjusted to taste)
fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon (adjusted to taste)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
to taste (for serving)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotelle pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
2
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat. Add the quartered mushrooms and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and tender. Remove the skillet from heat.
3
Add the light cream, coarsely chopped canned tomatoes, crushed dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and fresh ground pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
4
Once the mushroom and cream mixture is cool, add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Gently toss until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
5
Fold in the blanched broccoli just before serving, ensuring a gentle mix to retain the broccoli’s structure and color.
6
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper to your preference.
7
Serve the pasta at room temperature, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the side for easy serving.
Nutrition Information
11.6g
Fat
40g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish described in this recipe?
The dish is Creamy Tomato Pasta with Mushrooms and Broccoli, a flavorful meal featuring rotelle pasta and a light cream sauce.
What type of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of rotelle pasta, cooked until al dente.
How many mushrooms are needed?
You will need 1 lb of mushrooms, which should be quartered for the recipe.
How should the broccoli be prepared?
The broccoli should be coarsely chopped and blanched before being folded into the pasta.
What kind of tomatoes are used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of canned plum tomatoes that have been drained and coarsely chopped.
What type of cream is used for the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of light cream to create the sauce base.
Which herbs are used for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of crushed dried oregano and 1 teaspoon of dried basil.
How long should I sauté the mushrooms?
The mushrooms should be sautéed over high heat for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and tender.
At what temperature should the pasta be served?
This pasta dish is intended to be served at room temperature.
What is the calorie count for this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains 11.6g of fat.
How much protein does this pasta dish provide?
This recipe provides 10g of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
There are 40g of carbohydrates per serving.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking after draining?
Toss the cooked pasta with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
What should I garnish the dish with?
Garnish the pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the side for serving.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
Yes, you should taste the dish and adjust the salt and fresh ground pepper to your preference.
When should the broccoli be added?
Fold in the blanched broccoli just before serving to retain its structure and color.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
The recipe requires a total of 4 tablespoons of olive oil: 1 for the pasta and 3 for sautéing.
Is this recipe suitable for a weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is described as an ideal dish for both weeknight dinners and special gatherings.
What inspired this recipe?
The recipe was inspired by a treasured dish from The Pasta Salad Cookbook.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 11 ingredients used in this recipe.
Should the sauce be hot when mixing with pasta?
No, you should allow the mushroom and cream mixture to cool to room temperature before adding the pasta.
What is the texture of the mushrooms in this dish?
The mushrooms are sautéed until they are golden brown and tender.
What is the role of the Parmesan cheese?
The Parmesan cheese adds a glorious flavor and is served freshly grated on the side.
Is this considered a comfort food?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as comfort food and an easy recipe.
What is the primary cooking method for the vegetables?
The mushrooms are sautéed, and the broccoli is blanched.
Does this dish contain any fiber information?
The fiber content for this specific recipe is not listed in the nutritional data provided.
What is the preparation style for the tomatoes?
The canned plum tomatoes should be drained and coarsely chopped.
What kind of oil is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using olive oil for both sautéing and tossing the pasta.
Is the broccoli cooked with the pasta?
No, the broccoli is blanched separately and folded in at the very end.