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A close-up of a bowl filled with rich Creamy Mushroom Fettuccine Date Night pasta, topped with cracked black pepper.

Creamy Mushroom Fettuccine

This recipe makes a rich and quick pasta dish suitable for a date night or a simple family meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g fettuccine can be substituted with any pasta of choice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 200 g bacon cut into thick strips
  • 1 small red onion finely diced
  • 400 g mushrooms sliced white button or Swiss brown mushrooms, or small whole mushrooms
  • 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
  • 2 thyme sprigs plus a few extra leaves to garnish (optional)
  • 125 ml chicken stock
  • 300 ml thickened (heavy) cream
  • 50 g freshly grated parmesan plus extra to serve
  • 0.5 tsp sea salt flakes or to taste
  • 1 Freshly cracked black pepper to serve

Equipment

  • Large, deep frying pan

Method
 

  1. Cook the fettuccine as per the packet directions, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes less than the recommended time.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium–high heat.
  3. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to brown.
  4. Add the red onion and cook, stirring, for another 1 to 2 minutes before adding the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms for 4 to 5 minutes until browned and golden.
  5. Add the garlic and thyme and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or until the garlic smells fragrant.
  6. Add the chicken stock and scrape up any sticky bits from the base of the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until most of the liquid has absorbed.
  7. Add the cream and parmesan. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt to taste.
  8. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water. This stops the pasta from sticking and prevents it from cooking further.
  9. Discard the thyme sprigs from the sauce. Add the pasta and toss it in the sauce for 1 minute using tongs until the pasta is warmed through. The fettuccine will absorb some sauce and the sauce will thicken as it sits.
  10. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan, cracked black pepper, and extra fresh thyme leaves if you are using them.

Notes

Rinsing the pasta stops it from sticking together. The pasta will continue to cook slightly when you toss it with the warm sauce.