This past December, my husband and I snuck off to New York City for a bucket list trip. I shared some photos on Instagram shortly after returning home but haven’t talked about it here on the mothership yet! Visiting NYC during the holidays has always been a dream of mine — and it was truly a dream come true. Between drinking cocktails in historic bars, seeing a Lin Manuel Miranda off-broadway show, enjoying a $2.75 waterfront cruise of the city (ie taking advantage of the New York Ferry — best kept secret in NYC!) and eating one of the best gluten free meals of my life at the 100% GF restaurant Senza Gluten — the trip checked all our boxes, and then some!
Gluten Free Comfort Food
If you have Celiac Disease or a food allergy/intolerance, you can probably understand the overwhelming feeling of entering a restaurant knowing you can order anything inside. Shifting your mindset to what you GET to order, vs what you HAVE to order is extremely bizarre, but once we accepted our beautiful situation, there was no stopping us. We ordered everything and then some. The calamari was the best we’d ever had (GF or not!) the cocktails were on point, the side dishes memorable, and the entrees incredible. I ordered the Rigatoni Funghi e Speck: gluten free rigatoni in a decadent cream sauce with mixed mushrooms, smoked prosciutto, and truffle oil and it was one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had. Our cozy, candle-lit trattoria surroundings was the cherry on top. It was magical, to say the least! Back at home I immediately went about recreating the meal at I had Senza Gluten, and the result is a recipe that my husband has deemed my “best recipe yet” (woo!) Creamy Mushroom Parmesan Pasta is a restaurant quality recipe that’s easily made at home and SO delicious that you will lick your plate clean. It is such a treat!
Creamy Parmesan Mushroom Pasta
Here’s the deal – I kept all the flavors of the pasta dish I had in NYC but made a few swaps to ensure the recipe is easy to make at home. Cooked gluten free fettuccini is tossed in a homemade, lightened up parmesan cream sauce studded with sauteed mushrooms, sizzling bacon, lots of garlic, and tender baby spinach — no wine needed (save it for sipping!) A drizzle of fresh lemon juice brightens up the final dish before it’s topped with plenty of freshly cracked black pepper, twirled around your waiting fork, and devoured. You will feel like a true chef after whipping up this impressive yet easy gluten free pasta dish!
Lightened Up Parmesan Cream Sauce
The secret to achieving a thick yet lighter (than a restaurant serves, anyway) cream sauce that clings to the the pasta, is harnessing the power of pasta cooking water. Adding some of the water that the pasta is cooked in while stirring the al dente pasta together with the creamy parmesan sauce allows the starch from the water to naturally thicken the sauce. The sauce will go from thin and separated from the pasta, to thick and clinging to the pasta, right before your eyes. If you think it won’t happen, just keep stirring. I’ll show you below!
Add Baked Chicken Meatballs
How to Make Creamy Mushroom Parmesan Pasta
Step 1: Crisp the Bacon
Start by browning chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Scoop the crisped bacon onto a paper towel lined plate to drain then reserve some of the bacon fat in the skillet.
Step 2: Saute the Mushrooms
Next add sliced mushrooms and chopped shallots then saute until the mushrooms have released their liquid and the liquid has cooked off. Add minced garlic and a pinch of dried thyme then continue to saute until the mushrooms are golden brown and tender.
Step 3: Make the Parmesan Cream Sauce
To the skillet add heavy cream and chicken stock then bring to a simmer and stir in freshly shredded parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Add fresh baby spinach then simmer until its barely wilted, just a minute or two.
Step 4: Add Pasta then Thicken Sauce
Use tongs to transfer gluten free fettuccini that’s been cooked to al dente in a cooking pot next door (timing instructions are in the recipe card below) directly into the skillet then use the tongs to gently and continuously stir the pasta until it becomes tender, and the sauce thickened and creamy. Keep adding ~1/4 cup pasta cooking water a time then stirring continuously until you achieve a thickened sauce that clings to the pasta. Like I said, the pasta will look separated from the sauce, and then at the last minute the starches will cause it to fully thicken and cling to the pasta. That’s when you know it’s done.
Turn off the heat then add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice — the dish shouldn’t taste lemony, just brightened — the bacon, plus plenty of freshly cracked pepper, and salt to taste. Scoop into bowls then top with more parmesan cheese, if you please, and serve. I hope you LOVE this taste of New York made right in your kitchen – enjoy!!
More Cozy Comfort Food Recipes
Easy Mushroom Risotto Gluten Free Lasagna Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie Homestyle Beef and Noodles One Pot Chicken and Rice Homestyle Beef and Noodles Stove Top Beef Stew
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin Like this recipe? Share it with friends!
