Spaghetti with Shiitakes, Parmesan, and Pepper

• Recipe by Quick From Scratch Herbs & Spices

Here's a great weeknight pasta that highlights one of our favorite mushrooms and takes only minutes to prepare. The combination of earthy shiitakes and sharp cheese is perfect with lots of black pepper.

Ingredients

1. 4 tablespoons olive oil
2. 1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps cut into thin slices
3. 3/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
4. 1/4 teaspoon salt
5. 2 cloves garlic, minced
6. 1 1/2 cups canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
7. 3/4 pound spaghetti
8. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Directions

1. In a large frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat. Add the mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper, and the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until reduced to about 1 cup, 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the spaghetti until just done, about 12 minutes. Drain. Toss the spaghetti with the mushroom sauce, the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and the Parmesan. Serve with more cheese.

Notes

Variation

Add a couple of tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as chives, tarragon, thyme, or parsley, to the spaghetti along with the Parmesan.