Description
Comfort meets elegance in this creamy mushroom pasta soup, a silky blend of earthy mushrooms and luxurious cream. Rich Italian-inspired flavors dance through each spoonful, inviting you to savor a warm, satisfying culinary embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, or button), sliced
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup small pasta (ditalini, orzo, or elbow)
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 tbsps butter or olive oil
- 2 shallots or 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
- 1 tsp dried or fresh thyme
- ½ tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: In a spacious soup vessel, gently melt butter over medium heat. Introduce finely chopped shallots, coaxing them to translucent softness, then incorporate minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to bloom briefly.
- Mushroom Transformation: Introduce sliced mushrooms, allowing them to release moisture and develop rich caramelized edges through occasional stirring, creating deep flavor complexity.
- Herbal and Flavor Layering: Sprinkle dill, thyme, paprika, and chili flakes across the mixture. Deglaze with Worcestershire sauce and wine, letting the liquid concentrate and meld ingredients through a short simmer.
- Liquid Integration: Pour broth into the pot, bringing to a gentle bubbling state. Introduce pasta, allowing it to cook until perfectly tender with a slight resistance at the core.
- Creamy Enrichment: Lower heat and gently temper sour cream by whisking in warm broth, then seamlessly incorporate into the soup. Calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the overall taste profile.
- Elegant Presentation: Transfer the velvety soup into serving vessels. Garnish with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan shavings. Accompany with rustic bread for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Slowly mix hot broth into sour cream to gradually raise its temperature, preventing sudden separation and ensuring a smooth, silky texture.
- Allow mushrooms enough undisturbed cooking time to develop deep, rich caramelization and concentrate their earthy flavor, which enhances the overall soup complexity.
- Add pasta toward the end of cooking to avoid overcooking and maintain its ideal al dente texture, preventing mushy or soggy noodles in the soup.
- Substitute dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like cashew cream or coconut milk for vegan versions, and use gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg