Whole Wheat Pasta with Light and Hearty Vegetable Bolognese Sauce
Calling all pasta lovers! Prepare to be amazed by this delightful recipe for Whole Wheat Pasta with Light and Hearty Vegetable Bolognese Sauce. As an experienced chef, I've perfected the art of creating a light and hearty sauce that beautifully complements the whole wheat pasta, resulting in a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
- 1 small bowl or cup
- 1 large pot
Ingredients
- 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
- 1½ cups hot water
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 5 ounces assorted mushrooms, chopped (shiitake, cremini, button)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup red wine
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 pound whole wheat pasta (any kind rigatoni, ziti, penne, linguine, angel hair)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place the dried mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with 1 1/2 cups very hot water. Set aside for at least 5 minutes to let the mushrooms soften.
- Place the carrots, onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse the vegetables until finely chopped but still chunky. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the chopped vegetables, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper and cook until tender(about 6 minutes or so).
- Strain the porcini mushrooms ( but save the liquid that you pour off in a small bowl or cup). Add the porcini mushrooms, fresh mushrooms, and tomato paste and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are softened (about 5 minutes.)
- Add the liquid that you saved from the porcini mushrooms and add the red wine. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer until the liquid is reduced by half (about 10 minutes).
- Add the mascarpone cheese and stir until the cheese is just incorporated.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 2 minutes LESS than the directions call for. Drain the pasta, but save about 1/2 cup of the water that you cooked it in and add that to the vegetable mixture. Then stir in the cooked pasta and top with the parmesan cheese to serve.
Video
Notes
Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to experiment with different vegetables in your Bolognese sauce. You can add mushrooms, bell peppers, or even zucchini to enhance the flavors and textures. Don't be afraid to get creative and make it your own!