| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 430 | 12g | 3g | 72g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 5g | 18g | 0.35g |
Meet your new favorite dinner recipe: the Leaf Celery and Mushroom Pasta Sauce. Bearing the heart and soul of Italian cuisine, this dish is a home-cooked delight – my own twist to a traditional family recipe. My Italian grandparents blessed me with authentic Italian culinary secrets that I’ve cherished and grown with, over the years, and this recipe, certainly resonates with those timeless flavors.
The Roots Of My Love For This Recipe
As a child growing up in New Jersey, I inhaled the aromatic scents floating from my Nonna’s kitchen as she transformed humble ingredients into edible masterpieces. I can distinctly remember the earthy mushrooms, fragrantly sautéed in olive oil, enrobed in a rich tomato sauce, and finally drenched on a bed of al dente pasta. It was almost poetic, and observing her inspired me to create my own renditions like this one.
This luscious Leaf Celery and Mushroom Pasta Sauce is one of those hearty dishes that carries forward my family’s Italian-American culinary lineage. It’s comfort food at its zenith, the kind you want to devour after a long day of hiking or spend a perfect evening with the grandchildren.
Health In Each Spoonful
But, my affection for this recipe isn’t just because of the taste or tradition; it’s fundamentally about the nutrition packed within. Not only does it deliver a gourmet dining experience, but also serves as a subtle nod to a healthy lifestyle. Rich in fiber from the assortment of veggies, packed with antioxidants from the tomatoes and wine, and a good source of protein from the cremini mushrooms, every forkful of this pasta acts as a building block to wholesome well-being. Olive oil, widely recognized for its heart health benefits, is another star of this recipe. Here’s a short read on the various health benefits of olive oil.
Complementary Dishes
This pasta sauce pairs exceedingly well with an array of dishes. It can be a flavorful side to a grilled chicken or can uplift a simple salad. If you’re a cheese lover, I’d recommend trying this sauce with a melt-in-mouth Mozzarella topped Bruschetta. Get the recipe for the perfect Bruschetta here.
With a dish as versatile as this, the possibilities are truly endless. The Leaf Celery and Mushroom Pasta Sauce is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary journey, a nostalgic trip down memory lane, and my way of connecting my family’s past with my gastronomic present. I do hope you try it and love it as much as I do.
What You’ll Need
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped leaf celery
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Method
Step One
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the instructions on the package until al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
Step Two
While your pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion to the skillet. Saute these ingredients until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fraggy, which should take about 5 minutes.
Step Three
Add the sliced cremini mushrooms to the skillet. Continue to sauté until the mushrooms are browned and their moisture has been released. This will take around 8 minutes.
Step Four
Add the chopped leaf celery to the skillet and sauté for another 2 minutes. Then, add in the can of diced tomatoes, along with their juice, the vegetable broth, and the dry white wine. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer.
Step Five
Into your simmering sauce, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano. Let the sauce simmer for approximately 10 minutes, which allows the flavors to meld together.
Step Six
Next, stir in the chopped fresh basil and the cooked penne pasta. Toss until the pasta is well-coated in the sauce.
Step Seven
Lastly, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta. Serve immediately while still warm. Enjoy your leaf celery and mushroom pasta sauce!
