Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Pasta with Zucchini and Mushrooms

Pasta with Zucchini and Mushrooms

Alfredo sauce and prosciutto make this rich dish sing

It’s still zucchini season in our part of the world, but cooler weather is strolling in. So we’re starting to enjoy richer dishes – like this one. It’s an all-time favorite of ours.

We particularly like to share this pasta dish with friends. Few can resist its creamy, cheesy goodness.

So don’t be surprised if your guests ask for the recipe. You have our permission to share it with them.


Pasta with Zucchini and Mushrooms

Recipe: Pasta with Zucchini and Mushrooms

This dish is essentially Fettuccine Alfredo with the addition of zucchini, mushrooms, and prosciutto.

You can make this recipe with dried pasta, but we think it tastes particularly succulent with fresh pasta. You’ll need to use about one batch of our Homemade Pasta or about a pound of store-bought fresh or dried pasta (exact quantity not critical).

We found this recipe years ago in the late (and much lamented) Gourmet magazine. It dates from the late 1970s or early 1980s. The inclusion of prosciutto is our idea; leave it out if the idea doesn’t appeal to you.

You can serve this dish as either a starter or a main (we usually opt to use it as the main course).

This dish takes about 10 to 15 minutes to make (assuming you have fresh pasta on hand, or are using dried pasta).

This recipe serves 4 as a main course (you’ll probably even have a bit left over) or twice that number as a first course.

Leftovers keep for a day or two if refrigerated in an airtight container.

Ingredients
  • ½ pound mushrooms (cremini and/or Portobello)
  • 1¼ pounds zucchini
  • 4 to 6 ounces prosciutto (to taste; optional)
  • ~2 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (about ¾ cup, firmly packed; buy the Italian stuff – it’s worth it)
  • ½ cup Italian parsley, chopped
  • 1½ sticks butter, divided (divide into ½ stick and 1 stick)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • salt to taste – probably ½ teaspoon kosher salt (see Notes)
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste (a dozen grinds for us; black pepper tastes wonderful in this dish)
  • additional 1 tablespoon kosher salt for seasoning the pasta water
  • ~1 pound fresh pasta, preferably fettuccine (can substitute dried pasta; see Notes)
  • additional grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Procedure

Everything comes together quickly with this recipe, so be sure to prep all the ingredients before you begin making the sauce (Step 9). You may need to adjust the timing a bit, especially if you’re using dried pasta (see Notes).
  1. Place a big cooking pot of water (at least 4 quarts) on the stovetop to heat. Then prep the ingredients while the water is coming to a boil. 
  2. Wipe off the mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Slice the mushrooms thinly, then set them aside.
  3. Wash and dry the zucchini. Cut it into julienne slices. Set aside.
  4. Chop the prosciutto (if using) into slices of about ¼ inch. Set aside.
  5. Grate the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Set aside.
  6. Wash and dry the parsley, then mince it. Set aside.
  7. Divide the butter into ½ stick and 1 stick portions. Cut the butter into small pieces. Measure out the cream. Set both aside.
  8. The water is probably boiling by now. Turn the stovetop heat down to low (so the water stays hot, but isn’t boiling).
  9. Place a large frying pan (the 12-inch size is ideal) or Dutch oven over medium stovetop heat. When hot, add the ½ stick butter and let it melt. Add the mushrooms and prosciutto (if using), then sauté for 2 minutes.
  10. Add the julienned zucchini, the heavy cream, and the remaining stick of butter. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes.
  11. While the zucchini mixture is cooking, bring the pasta water back to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to season the water, then add the pasta. If using fresh pasta, cook for 2 minutes or until al dente (see Notes if using dried pasta).
  12. Drain the pasta, then add it to the zucchini mixture. Add the ¾ cup of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and the parsley. Toss together and adjust the seasoning. 
  13. Serve with additional grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and a sprinkling of minced parsley for garnish, if desired.
Pasta with Zucchini and Mushrooms

Notes
  • As noted above, you may need to be a bit flexible with timing. If the zucchini mixture (Step 10) finishes cooking before the pasta is ready, just set it aside for a minute. Then reheat it when you add the pasta (Step 12).
  • Dried pasta takes longer to cook than fresh pasta. So if using dried, you might want to add it to the cooking pot (along with seasoning salt) as soon as the water starts boiling (Step 8). Then delay beginning the sauce (Step 9) for a couple of minutes to give the pasta time to cook.
  • We recommend using 1 pound of pasta, but you can get away with ¾ pound if you want a sauce-heavy dish.
  • If using dried pasta, we suggest using a shape that the sauce will cling to. Farfalle (butterflies) would be our choice.
  • You can substitute Pecorino Romano cheese for Parmigiano-Reggiano if you wish (though its flavor is a bit stronger).
  • BTW, feel free to increase the quantity of cheese – it’s hard to add too much to this dish.
  • We use kosher salt for cooking (sea salt at table). Kosher salt is less salty by volume than regular table salt (its large crystals don’t pack as densely). If using regular table salt, use about half as much as we suggest.
  • But always adjust salt and black pepper to your own taste.
Pasta with Zucchini and Mushrooms

Just Kids

“Love this dish!” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “And we’ve been making it since our first days together. We were just kids then.”

“No kidding!” I said. “This used to be our big company dish.”

“It’s so easy to make,” said Mrs K R. “But the flavor isn’t kid stuff.”

“Well,” I said, “you don’t need to be a whiz kid to cook great dishes.”

We kid you not.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Homemade Pasta
Fettuccine Alfredo
Pasta with Quick Tomato and Bacon Sauce
Pasta Cacio e Pepe
Pasta Puttanesca
Penne alla Vodka
Singapore Noodles
Or check out the index for more

84 comments:

Denise Browning said...

It looks so comfy and delicious. Love Alfredo sauce and prosciutto added to this pasta dish! I would come for seconds.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

This pasta dish looks so good , my hubby had something similar last night when we ate out for dinner. It's the rich flavors that make a dish like this so delicious. I can't tell you how much I miss Gourmet. Ruth Reichl, who was the editor of Gourmet, has a blog that I follow and I love reading her books.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, it's easy -- too easy! -- to eat seconds of this. Ask me how I know. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, really too bad that magazine is gone. Anyway, this dish lives on! And it's a really good one. :-) Thanks for the comment.

savorthebestcooks@gmail.com said...

Oh, yum! All these wonderful flavors, this is my kind of meal. Thanks :) Pat

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat, really nice dish, isn't it? SO tasty! Thanks for the comment.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

What a great way to kick Fettuccine Alfredo a notch up! All wonderful additions. yes colder but a wamr front is coming again, what a summer. PS got the Violet liqueur in NH ;-)

Mae Travels said...

Four servings -- 1 1/2 sticks of butter -- 1 cup of cream -- that's a really retro quantity of delicious dairy fat! Worthy of early Julia Child, or as you say, the old and unreconstructed Gourmet. I want it now!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

I love comforting pasta dishes like this, we still have lots of zucchini too. Thanks John!

mymansbelly said...

10-15 minutes sounds like a perfect dinner recipe! And this looks light for an alfredo dish too.

Tricia Buice said...

With only 15 minutes needed to prepare this dish, I could make it once a week. I love everything you added to the pasta. It must have a nice rich flavor and be very satisfying. And it's pretty too! Have a lovely weekend!

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

Aw man, I missssss pastaaaaa!! Never thought I would sayyy that! :o

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, glad you got the violet liqueur! And this is a great dish -- one of our faves. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, yup, this is rich. Great for a blowout dinner, though. Then we can all blow up. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cheri, pasta dishes are the best, aren't they? Never tire of them! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pamela, this is SO quick to whip up! And SO tasty. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, this is pretty, isn't it? And tastes wonderful! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, bummer that you can't eat pasta -- it is so nice! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Alfredo Sauce is my favorite- all that butter and cream! I like the way you sliced your zucchinis in a vertical shape. BTW, your reference to 'Just Kids' reminds me of Patti Smith's book 'Just Kids.'

Deb|eastofEdenCooking said...

Now this is how to enjoy all that late summer zucchini! Love that is recipe is quick to come together and also worthy of a dinner splurge! Bravo!

Unknown said...

Alfredo is a favourite of my kids and although I enjoy it, I don't like the no vegetable thing. I usually sneak in broccoli but I like this idea! I love mushrooms with pasta and zucchini too. This is a great late summer/early fall dish. Thanks, John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, yup, I was thinking of Smith's book -- love that line. I actual read it on a trip to NYC a couple of years ago -- made a point of seeing some of the places she & Maplethorpe hung out (and there's a great donut shop in the Chelsea Hotel building!). Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, it's a wonderful dish -- and very rich So definitely a splurge! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nazneen, this is a great way to eat your veggies. And cream. And butter. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz (Good Things) said...

So simple and yet so tasty. This is my kinda salad! Thanks John : )

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, yup -- easy does it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

What a scrumptious meal! The veggies added to this Alfredo make it practically health food, right??? Worth every single delicious calorie :)

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

I love pasta dishes as this one. And it is another great way to use some of zucchini that is still in my garden.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, definitely health food! :D And really wonderfully tasty. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, we could probably eat pasta every night and not get tired of it. And this is one of our favorites -- so good! Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

Don't you just love how mushrooms make you feel like it is a complete meal. They are earthy and delicious in a pasta dish. Actually, I have absolutely everything to make this delicious dish tonight for dinner. I had a slight mishap with my basil plant...left outside one night and needless to say we might have to add some pesto to the recipe...I have tried CPR on my plant...tried to talk to her.. but to no avail.. LOL

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, mushrooms always punch above their weight, don't they? SO much flavor, and they shine in this dish! Hope your basil plant recovers! Thanks for the comment.

Summer said...

Yum! This looks so delish ♥

summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

Smitha said...

looks yummy. pictures make it all the more tempting.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Summer, it is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Smitha, it's really good -- one of our favorites. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Shashi at SavorySpin said...

My daughter LOVES pasta and she has been trying to make more dishes by herself - prepping for when she goes off to college next year and I know she will love to make this AND eat it! Thanks so much for sharing - such a good recipe to use up all that summer zucchini!

Ala said...

Yes! I've been missing pasta and this could be the solution. Fun fact: my friend recently pointed out that I could glorify instant ramen by adding vegetables (I have no idea why I never thought of that...) and it's totally true. I've been avoiding fettucine alfredo lately because it's usually too plain--but these additions are great! (Much better than instant ramen, too.) Will have to try soon.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shashi, your daughter will love this! And the leftover reheat in a microwave pretty well. Or they're also good cold -- ask me how I know! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ala, you'll love this -- plus it's an easy way to get your veggies. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl said...

This is such a great weeknight meal! I just happen to have mushrooms in the fridge so this dish is on!

mjskit said...

My stomach is rumbling right now! Love simple pastas like this and using fresh ingredients. I'm not growing zucchini, but I think yellow squash would work here. What do you think? The addition of prosciutto and all that butter (YUM!) makes this extra special! Thanks for a great pasta idea for my summer squash.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pamela, this is a good one! And the leftovers will make a good lunch tomorrow. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, simple, but rich. But that's OK now and again. :-) Haven't used yellow squash but I can't see why it wouldn't work. The flavor should be lovely! Thanks for the comment.

Juliana said...

Nice pasta dish John...and yes, I love the idea of zucchini, prosciutto and mushroom in Alfredo "like" pasta dish...thanks!
Hope you are having wonderful week :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, really fun ingredients, don't you think? Good stuff! Thanks for the comment.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

You've taken pasta and vegetables to a whole new taste level, John. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Karen, this is such a good dish! Of course with all that butter and cream it better be! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

Any pasta that has cheese and prosciutto is one for me. No wonder this one is such a favorite of yours.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, hard to resist cheese and prosciutto, isn't it? And this really is a wonderful dish. Don't have it as much as we used to because it's so rich, but sometimes you just have to have it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

Well timed! This post made me run out back and check the zucchini I planted in May. What I saw was every gardener’s secret September shame. The monster zucchini. I guess I'll have to double this recipe. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, I know those overgrown zucchini all too well! You'll love a double batch of this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Barb | Creative Culinary said...

Perfect timing...love the combination of fresh and a bit decadent. What time is dinner...I'll leave now! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Barb, love to have you for dinner! :-) And yes, this is decadent. Sometimes you just have to do it, right? Thanks for the comment.

Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen said...

Fabulous pasta recipe, John. I love how you have beautifully you have combined zucchini, prosciutto and mushroom in Alfredo. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anu, isn't this a nice nice? Wonderful flavor! Thanks for the comment.

Kushigalu said...

All my favorite ingredients in one single dish. WOW! Just can't wait to try this out. delicious!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kushi, you'll love this! SO much flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Amira said...

Delicious, easy to make, and flavorful comfort food, this is one of the best pasta dishes I've seen. Pinned

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, isn't this a neat dish? SO good! You'll love it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

Something about Alfredo sauce is such comfort food for me. Never would have thought to pair it with a zucchini dish. Brilliant!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, the Alfredo sauce really works well with zucchini and mushrooms -- really special combo. :-) Thanks for the comment.

All That I'm Eating said...

Love the sound of this for a veggie mid-week meal. I always have mushrooms and courgettes hanging around!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, this is so quick to put together -- it'd make a perfect weekday dinner! Thanks for the comment.

Yi Reservation said...

What a wonderful dish John! I love fettuccine alfredo and my wife enjoys mushroom and zucchini a lot so I am definitely seeing serving this dish very soon! Thanks for the inspiration!

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

I think this dish looks delicious! I like to make alfredo with zucchini and alfredo with mushrooms, but I haven't put the two together before.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Yi, you'll love this! It's a good one. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, the combo of the zucchini and mushrooms really is quite good -- bet you'll really like this! Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

Prosciutto and Alfredo is the best pasta sauce ever, top it with loads of Parmigiano-Reggiano it is called heaven in a plate

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund,heaven on a plate is a good way to describe this dish! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

I love how you'e jazzed up this classic dish. But yours looks much more interesting!

Eva Taylor said...

Fresh pasta is always a winner and home made just takes it to the next level. The combination of flavours are making me hungry and that's just crazy because I just finished eating lunch

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Chris, this is definitely good stuff! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, looking at food blogs always makes me hungry too! And it doesn't matter when I last ate. :-) Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

Fresh pasta and alfredo sauce is my all-time favorite meal. Love these vegetables in the dish too! I want to come for dinner!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, we love pasta with alfredo sauce too! Such good stuff, isn't it? And this really take it up a notch. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

We tried CPR and talking to the basil plant but to no avail... You are going to start to see a lot of basil recipes coming from our kitchen...LOL

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, :-) Sorry about the basil plant, but really looking forward to all those recipes!

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

I agree with Liz -- the veggies make it healthy. Nice twist on the classic, as usual, John. I kid you not.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rosemary, important to make healthy dishes. :-) And this one certainly is. Or at least that's what we tell ourselves! Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

I like the combination of ingredients in this dish. I also like that you kept it sauce-light, which, I think, seems really right for fresh pasta.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, this is such a nice dish! We used to serve this all the time, but then I'll bet we went a good 10 years without making it. Back in our rotation now. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Hannah said...

Lovely recipe, John! Creamy and cheesy are always a temptation for me. We still have some zucchini lurking so thank you for sharing. And I'm glad you're making this dish again after so long!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Hannah, I can't believe we got out of the habit of making this! It's SO good! :-) Thanks for the comment.