Description
A creamy, comforting pasta dish combining the earthy flavors of mushrooms and spinach with a smooth pumpkin purée sauce, enhanced by Italian seasoning and a touch of Dijon mustard for depth. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, this recipe yields 4 servings and uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (for 4 people)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 14 ounces white mushrooms, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 dashes Italian seasoning
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- Handful fresh spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water if desired to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they are slightly browned, about 10 minutes, to develop sweetness and depth in the sauce.
- Add Mushrooms and Seasoning: Add the chopped mushrooms, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the mushrooms to release moisture and soften while the flavors meld together.
- Incorporate Pumpkin and Spinach: Stir in the pumpkin purée and heavy whipping cream. Add the fresh spinach and cook for a few more minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed for a creamier texture. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Use fresh spinach but baby spinach also works well.
- Feel free to substitute heavy cream with a lighter cream or milk for a lighter dish, though sauce richness will be reduced.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory finish.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent over-cooking when tossed with sauce.
