Name: Creamy Penne with Mushrooms
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 portions
Ingredients: 75 g mushrooms; 0.25 pcs onion; 0.75 clove garlic; 0.5 tablespoon olive oil; 62.5 ml plant-based cream; 0.75 tablespoon nutritional yeast; 20 g baby spinach; 0.25 tablespoon lemon juice; 0.25 pinch nutmeg; salt; black pepper; 80 g penne; 0.375 l water; 0.25 teaspoon salt

Step by step process

Preparation

1
Clean the mushrooms, slice them, and finely chop the onion and garlic.
2
Prepare all the ingredients in advance, because once the pan is heated, the sauce cooks quickly.

Sauce

3
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan, add the onion, and saute over medium heat until translucent.
4
Add the mushrooms, slightly increase the heat, and cook for about 6 minutes until they release their moisture and start to turn golden.
TIP:
Cook mushrooms in a wider pan over higher heat, and avoid moving them around unnecessarily at the start. They will release water first, which needs to evaporate before they begin to brown and develop a fuller flavor.
5
Add the garlic, cook briefly until fragrant, then pour in the oat cream alternative.
6
Stir in the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and nutmeg, then let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes.
7
Finally, add the baby spinach, let it wilt, and season the sauce with salt and black pepper.

Pasta

8
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, and cook the penne according to the package instructions until almost al dente.
9
Before draining, reserve a little of the starchy pasta water, which will help the sauce come together better.
TIP:
Pasta water contains starch, which helps thicken the sauce and bind it better to the pasta. Add it in small amounts near the end, when you need to adjust the consistency and create a smoother sauce.

Serving

10
Transfer the drained penne directly to the pan with the sauce and toss thoroughly so it is coated on all sides.
11
If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time and warm everything through briefly.
12
Divide the finished penne among plates and serve immediately while the sauce is smooth and creamy.