WHAT YOU NEED:
5 Tbsp. butter (divided)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced (I use the stems also)
1 garlic clove, minced
6 ounces fresh spinach (I remove the stems)
12 ounces pasta (use what you like, but make it short pasta)
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups whole milk
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 large egg
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded gruyere cheese
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
salt and pepper (make sure and salt your pasta water until it tastes like the sea) …yes, that much!
slat & pepper to taste (for all other ingredients)
LET’S COOK!
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet with 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Add mushrooms and cook about 7-9 minutes or until all the water has gone out of them and they are starting to get those yummy, crispy browned edges. Stir in spinach and garlic. Cook just until spinach is wilted and all the water has evaporated, about 3-4 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook your choice of short pasta according to package directions. Don;t forget to SALT your pasta water). Drain and then toss with the mushroom mixture. Set aside.
(At this point you can get out a small frying pan and add 1 Tbsp. of butter and the panko and toast them until browned. Not burnt… just golden. Set aside.)
In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour and cook while stirring for 2-3 minutes. Now, slowly pour in the milk, whisking as you add it. It will thicken slightly and that is what you want- about 4-6 minutes. (Don’t stop whisking or you might burn the bottom of the saucepan).
Stir in the nutmeg.
Temper your eggs: What does that mean? You’ll add 1/4 cup of the hot milk mixture slowly while you whisk the entire time, to the egg to combine. Then stir that egg mixture back into your milk mixture.
Stir in all three cheeses into milk sauce, and let it melt in. Toss your pasta into the cheese sauce and stir until all the pasta is well coated with all the cheesy goodness. Garnish with browned panko breadcrumbs.
If this isn’t comfort food, I don’t know what is! You’re going to love it!
