Description
A rich and elegant pasta dish featuring the deep umami of wild morel mushrooms, white wine, garlic, and thyme. This recipe blends rustic forest flavors with fine dining finesse, perfect for special occasions or indulgent meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 oz dried morel mushrooms
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1½ cups reserved morel soaking liquid (filtered)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish
- 1 lb shell pasta (shellbows recommended)
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1–2 cups reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Place dried morel mushrooms in a bowl and cover with 3–4 cups boiling water. Soak for 10–15 minutes until softened.
- Remove morels, squeeze out excess water, and slice larger ones in half. Filter the soaking liquid through a coffee filter and reserve 1½ cups.
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add chopped shallots and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Add rehydrated morels, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until most moisture evaporates.
- Increase heat and add white wine. Simmer until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
- Add the soaking liquid, cream, and thyme. Simmer gently for 30 minutes to thicken and concentrate the flavors.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water.
- Add half the pasta water to the sauce and bring back to a low simmer.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce using a slotted spoon.
- Gradually stir in Parmesan, tossing until melted and the sauce coats the pasta. Add more pasta water if needed to achieve a silky texture.
- Serve hot, garnished with more Parmesan and fresh thyme.
Notes
- Morel mushrooms are best enjoyed when their unique texture and earthy flavor are allowed to shine.
- Shell pasta acts as a perfect vessel for the rich, creamy sauce.
- Patience is key when building the sauce to allow flavors to deepen and concentrate.
- This decadent pasta with morel mushrooms is ideal for special occasions.
- Pair with a crisp Chardonnay or a light-bodied Pinot Noir.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 553 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: N/A
- Cholesterol: N/A