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Penne with Roasted Marsala Mushrooms
© Melanie Acevedo

Penne with Roasted Marsala Mushrooms

Contributed by Quick From Scratch Pasta
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST
  • VEGETARIAN

The mushrooms are roasted until brown and then simmered in Marsala until they absorb the wine. A touch of tomato paste and chicken broth form a tasty sauce.

  1. 1 pound mushrooms, cut in halves or quarters depending on size
  2. 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  3. 3/4 teaspoon salt
  4. 1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
  5. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  6. 1/4 cup dry Marsala
  7. 1/2 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
  8. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  9. 1 tablespoon butter
  10. 3/4 pound penne
  11. 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  1. Heat the oven to 400°. In a roasting pan or dutch oven, toss the mushrooms with the oil and 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes; some liquid will remain in the pan.
  2. Transfer the pan to the top of the stove. Stir in the garlic and Marsala. Simmer until the liquid is almost evaporated, about 4 minutes. Add the broth and tomato paste and simmer until about 1/4 cup of liquid remains, about 2 minutes longer. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the butter and remove from the heat.
  3. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the penne until just done, about 13 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce and the parsley.
Notes

Variation

Penne with Roasted Mushrooms If you don't keep Marsala on hand, substitute an equal quantity of dry sherry or dry red wine in its place.

Suggested Pairing

Mushrooms are well matched with a red Italian wine such as a Nebbiolo d'Alba from the Piedmont region.