Shiitake & Cremini Cheese Pasta

Creamy mushroom pasta with spinach for a nutritious, blood sugar-friendly meal.

Ingredients

  • 250g whole grain or legume-based pasta (like chickpea or lentil pasta for lower glycemic response)
  • 200g mixed mushrooms (shiitake and cremini, sliced)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 100g low-fat cottage cheese
  • 50g [[Pecorino]] or [[Parmesan]], freshly grated
  • 50g light cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth (low sodium)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach (mandatory - Fritz)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tbsp nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavor

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, but reduce cooking time by 1 minute for al dente texture. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and add mushrooms. Cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add thyme, oregano, and smoked paprika, stirring to coat the mushrooms.
  6. Pour in vegetable broth and simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Add cottage cheese and cream cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.
  8. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  10. Remove from heat and stir in half the [[Parmesan]] or [[Pecorino]].
  11. Serve immediately, garnished with remaining cheese, fresh parsley, and black pepper.

Notes

  • For a protein boost, add 100g of cooked shrimp or flaked salmon.
  • The combination of different mushrooms provides varied textures and deeper flavor.
  • Using legume-based pasta helps maintain stable blood sugar levels compared to traditional wheat pasta.
  • Cottage cheese adds protein while keeping the dish creamy with less fat than traditional cream-based sauces.
  • Spinach adds iron and folate while keeping the dish light (Fritz).

Calories estimate

Approximately 420-450 calories per serving (serves 3-4)