Description
Comfort meets elegance in this creamy mushroom pasta soup, where Italian culinary traditions blend seamlessly with hearty flavors. Rich, velvety broth and perfectly cooked pasta invite you to savor a warm, satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, or button), sliced
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) small pasta (like ditalini, orzo, or elbow)
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 shallots or 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
Fats and Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter or olive oil
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) dry white wine (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by gently melting butter in a spacious soup pot over medium warmth. Incorporate finely chopped shallots and sauté until they become translucent and tender, approximately 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute to release its fragrant essence.
- Introduce sliced mushrooms to the pot, allowing them to release their natural moisture. Stir periodically, enabling the mushrooms to develop a rich, golden-brown coloration, which typically takes 8-10 minutes.
- Enhance the flavor profile by sprinkling in dill, thyme, paprika, and chili flakes. Deglaze the pan with Worcestershire sauce and wine, creating a complex layered taste. Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a gentle, rolling boil. Carefully add pasta and cook until it reaches the perfect al dente texture, following package guidelines, which usually requires 8-10 minutes.
- Lower the heat and create a luxurious creamy texture by tempering the sour cream. Gradually whisk a few spoonfuls of hot broth into the sour cream to prevent curdling, then seamlessly incorporate this mixture back into the soup. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to achieve a balanced flavor.
- Transfer the soup into serving bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley. For an optional indulgent touch, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Serve piping hot alongside crusty bread for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Prevent cream curdling by slowly tempering sour cream with hot broth before adding to the soup, ensuring a smooth and silky texture.
- Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like rice or chickpea pasta for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the dish’s delightful consistency.
- Select mushroom varieties like shiitake or porcini for deeper, more complex flavor profiles that elevate the soup’s earthy undertones.
- Control pasta doneness by cooking separately and adding to individual portions, preventing overcooking and maintaining optimal texture for leftovers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg