This recipe for Morel Mushroom Creamy Pasta calls for 2 cups Dehydrated Morel mushrooms, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
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For me, morel mushrooms mean spring is here. I get super excited about these tasty mushrooms. After winter break, they are the first wild mushrooms that I forage for food and I can’t help but feel a rush when I find them. It’s not just me, a lot of mushroom hunters feel the same way. It’s like a big celebration of leaving winter behind and welcoming the new life of spring.
Morels are delicious! With an earthy, musky flavour and spongy, honeycombed texture, morels are like truffles, but easier on the wallet. They make any spring meal extra special. It’s a real treat to go out and find them and then cook them. Just yummy!
This recipe calls for 2 cups dehydrated Morel mushrooms, thats why crucial step before cooking is to rehydrate dried morel mushrooms.
Soaking dried morel mushrooms brings these meaty babies back to life, allowing them to add a ton of rich, savoury umami essence to the morel pasta creamy sauce. But don’t throw the soaking broth away. We will use it in our sauce 😉
The recipe is simple. Sauté the morels in butter, then simmer in heavy cream until dotted with mushroom bits. Toss with your favourite pasta – and you’ve got a cosy, comforting dish that screams spring!
Morel Mushroom Creamy Pasta Recipe
Morel Mushroom Creamy Pasta
Difficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes20
minutes25
minutesGet ready for a decadent Morel Mushroom Creamy Pasta that will tantalize your taste buds! The recipe is nothing short of decadent. Sauté the morels in butter, then simmer in heavy cream until dotted with mushroom bits. Toss with your favorite pasta – and you’ve got a cozy, comforting Morel Mushroom Creamy Pasta dish that screams spring!
Ingredients
2 cups dehydrated morel mushrooms
250ml (1/2 cup) heavy cream
100g (4oz) butter
250g (8.8oz) pasta of your choice
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions
- Rehydrate the morel mushrooms: Place the dehydrated morel mushrooms in a bowl and cover with warm water. Leave to soak for about 30 minutes or until they are plump and rehydrated. Drain the mushrooms and squeeze out any excess water. Slice the rehydrated mushrooms into smaller pieces if desired.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the creamy morel sauce: Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the rehydrated morel mushrooms and cook for 15 minutes, until slightly browned. Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavours to meld. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Toss the pasta and sauce together: Add the cooked pasta to the frying pan with the creamy morel sauce. Gently toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is heated through and fully coated in the creamy sauce.
- Transfer the creamy morel mushroom pasta to serving plates.
Notes
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of colour and freshness.
- If you feel your morel sauce needs more cream and moisture, add Parmesan in step 4 and some of the golden soaking water treasure over the pasta and let it melt.
This morel mushroom creamy pasta is the ultimate springtime treat for your taste buds. Nature’s delicacy, meaty morel mushrooms impart a ton of mushroomy umami flavor to the creamy sauce speckled with mushroom bits. Toss with your favorite al dente pasta and dust with Parmesan and parsley for a feast that is equal parts earthy, creamy and comforting. Bon appétit!
How to use and dry wild mushrooms
If you have time and extra mushrooms on your disposal, consider preserving wild mushrooms by drying them.
Following is the extensive guide on preserving wild mushrooms
FAQ About Dried Mushrooms
Do dried mushrooms need to be soaked?
Absolutely! Dried mushrooms need a dip in hot water to come back to life. Soaking them makes them tender and ready to join the party in your dishes.
Should dried mushrooms be soaked in cold water until soft?
No, I wouldn’t recomend soaking dried mushrooms in cold water. Dried mushrooms prefer a hot soak to get them soft and plump. Soaking in cold water may take longer and not be as effective.
How long should dried mushrooms be soaked before cooking?
Well, it depends on their size and thickness. Usually 20-30 minutes soaking should be enough to get them tender.
Can I soak dried mushrooms overnight?
You can if you like. But it’s not usually necessary. Most dried mushrooms can be plumped up in 20-30 minutes in hot water.
Do you soak dried mushrooms in hot or cold water?
Hot water is the best way to rehydrate dried mushrooms. It gets the job done quicker and imparts flavour.
Why use dried mushrooms instead of fresh?
Dried mushrooms have a concentrated flavour and last longer than fresh mushrooms. They’re available all year round, and they add a lot of umami to your dishes.
Turbo Tasty’s Collection of Wild Mushroom Recipes
Among the many wild mushroom recipes on my blog, canned wild mushrooms (pickled chanterelle recipe), chanterelle & sparassis crispa soup, sparassis crispa recipes stand out from the crowd. If you are interested, please check them out.
