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Simple Mushroom Penne with Walnut Pesto Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 125 reviews
  • Author: Simon
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Simple Mushroom Penne with Walnut Pesto is a delightful, easy-to-make pasta dish featuring sautéed fresh mushrooms tossed with buttery penne pasta and topped with a rich, nutty walnut pesto. The walnut pesto combines fresh greens, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, and toasted walnuts for a vibrant, flavorful twist on traditional pesto, making this recipe perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or a casual dinner with friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Mushroom Mixture

  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 16 ounces fresh sliced mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, for topping

Walnut Pesto

  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 1 1/2 cups packed greens (spinach or basil)
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Prepare the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside while you prepare the other components.
  2. Toast the walnuts and prepare pesto: In a small sauté pan over low heat, toast the walnuts without any butter or oil by stirring and shaking the pan until they become fragrant and lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Transfer the walnuts to a food processor and add the packed greens, shredded Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the mixture is mostly smooth but still has some texture.
  3. Sauté the mushrooms: Heat butter in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh sliced mushrooms and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are a deep golden brown and have released their moisture.
  4. Combine pasta and mushrooms: Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet with mushrooms. Stir well to combine, then add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley. Toss everything together until evenly mixed and heated through.
  5. Serve with walnut pesto: Divide the mushroom penne among 4 to 6 bowls. Top each serving with a generous spoonful of the walnut pesto or alternatively, stir the pesto directly into the pasta before serving for an evenly coated dish.

Notes

  • For a more traditional pesto flavor, use more fresh basil in the greens mixture.
  • Walnuts can be substituted with pine nuts or almonds if preferred.
  • If you like a creamier pesto, blend it longer or add a bit more olive oil.
  • To make this dish vegan, substitute the butter with olive oil and use a vegan Parmesan alternative.
  • Fresh parsley adds a nice bright finish but can be replaced with fresh basil or chives depending on preference.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: mushroom penne, walnut pesto, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, sautéed mushrooms, homemade pesto

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Find it online: https://kitchenofsimon.com/simple-mushroom-penne-with-walnut-pesto-recipe/