Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked fusilli, draped in a rich, velvety marinara sauce that's bursting with earthy mushroom goodness. This isn't just another pasta recipe—it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish that will make your taste buds dance with delight! Whether you're a busy home cook or a passionate foodie, this Mushroom Marinara Fusilli promises to elevate your dinner game with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 300g fusilli pasta
- 250g mushrooms, chopped
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping mushrooms into uniform bite-sized pieces. Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic, which can create a bitter taste.
- Introduce chopped mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, allowing them to release their moisture and develop a golden-brown color.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet, stirring to combine with the mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Reduce heat to low-medium and let the sauce simmer.
- Season the marinara sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce for approximately 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water in case you need to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Combine the cooked fusilli with the mushroom marinara sauce, tossing gently to ensure even coating.
- Garnish with fresh torn basil leaves just before serving. Optional: Add a light sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve hot, presenting the pasta in warm dishes to maintain temperature and enhance the dining experience.
Tips
- Mushroom Selection Matters: Choose fresh, firm mushrooms like cremini or button mushrooms for the best texture and flavor.
- Don't Rush the Sauté: Allow mushrooms to release their moisture and develop a golden-brown color for deeper, more complex flavor.
- Garlic Watch: Be vigilant when cooking garlic—30-45 seconds is the sweet spot to prevent burning and bitterness.
- Pasta Water Magic: Always reserve a little pasta water. It can help adjust sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
- Fresh Basil is Key: Add fresh basil at the very end to preserve its bright, aromatic qualities.
- Temperature Tip: Serve in warm dishes to keep the pasta hot and maintain the sauce's perfect consistency.
- Optional Upgrade: A light sprinkle of Parmesan can add a delightful salty, umami finish to the dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
