Mario Bros Movie-Inspired Pasta: Creamy Mushroom Pasta
The Starving Chef is supported by Hungry People like you. When you make a purchase through an affiliate link on my site, I may earn a little bit of cash on the side (at no extra cost to you) to help keep my kitchen running. Read our disclosures here.
What’s Up, Hungry People
Today we’re jumping into a warp pipe and heading out on an adventure into the world of Mario and Luigi. The Super Mario Bros movie recently hit theaters despite it’s controversal casting of the voice of Mario and found great success with young audiences and old alike.
(Mario’s voice is explained in the first few minutes of the movie – and it actually… made a lot of sense.)
In the movie, we follow Mario and Luigi in ‘real-life’ Brooklyn as plumber brothers just starting out in the business. After a water pipe disaster downtown, they are unexpectedly sucked into the Mushroom Kingdom and find themselves on a mission to reconnect and save Princess Peach.
Now, I won’t give away too much of the plot, but let me tell you, this film has it all—excitement, humor, and a generous dose of nostalgia. It’s an absolute must-see for fans young and old!
Inspired by The Super Mario Brothers movie and after several requests over on TikTok to make the mushroom pasta featured at the beginning of the film, I decided it was high time to make the dish for myself.
Here’s What You Need
- Onions: Add flavor and aroma to the dish.
- Mushrooms: Provide a meaty texture and earthy taste.
- Red pepper flakes: Add a hint of spiciness to enhance the flavor.
- Garlic: Infuse the dish with a rich and fragrant taste.
- White wine: Deglazes the skillet and adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
- Italian flat-leaf parsley: Offers a fresh and herbaceous note to the dish.
- Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce, providing a rich and savory flavor.
- Reserved pasta water: Contains starch that helps the sauce cling to the noodles.
- Heavy cream: Creates a creamy and velvety sauce.
- Linguine: The pasta of choice to serve as the base of the dish.
Let’sa GO!
This pasta dish comes together faster than you can beat every level in Bowser’s Castle. Seriously, from start to finish, you’re looking at about a 30-minute process to make this pasta.
Deglazing the Pot
Deglazing with white wine is a crucial step that adds depth and complexity to the mushroom pasta sauce. It loosens the flavorful caramelized bits from the bottom of the skillet, infusing the dish with a rich and nuanced taste.
To deglaze, simply make sure the skillet is hot enough, and then add the white wine. It should come to a rapid simmer and start to reduce within just a few minutes.
Using Reserved Pasta Water
Once the wine has reduced, it’s time for the sauce to come together. That’s where the reserved pasta water comes in. When you boil the pasta, some of the starches leach into the water. Adding a small amount of this starchy water to the skillet helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta and provides thickness as it cools.
Use a heatproof measuring cup to scoop out just enough pasta water to achieve the desired consistency. Simmer it with some heavy cream in the skillet for a silky-smooth mushroom cream sauce.
Tips and Tricks to the Perfect Creamy Mushroom Pasta Dish
- Properly sauté the onions and mushrooms: Make sure to sauté them until they have softened and the onions are just starting to brown, as this will enhance the flavors in the dish.
- Control the spiciness: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice preference. Start with a small dash and add more if desired.
- Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic will provide the best flavor. Avoid using pre-minced garlic for optimal taste.
- Choose a good quality white wine: Select a dry white wine that you enjoy drinking. The flavor of the wine will impact the overall taste of the sauce.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will melt better into the sauce, resulting in a smoother and more flavorful consistency.
- Reserve enough pasta water: Make sure to reserve enough pasta water before draining. It helps create a cohesive sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Adjust the sauce consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to thin it out. If it’s too thin, simmer for a bit longer to reduce and thicken.
- Be cautious with the heavy cream: Add the heavy cream gradually and adjust the amount based on personal preference. Start with a small amount and add more if desired.
- Toss the pasta well: When combining the pasta with the sauce, ensure that every strand is evenly coated. Use tongs or a pasta fork to gently toss and distribute the sauce.
- Garnish just before serving: Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the pasta right before serving to maintain its fresh and vibrant appearance.
Troubleshooting:
- Sauce too thick: If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little extra pasta water or cream to loosen it up.
- Sauce too thin: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a bit longer to reduce and thicken. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of grated Parmesan cheese to help thicken the sauce.
- Lack of flavor: Adjust the seasonings to taste by adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed. Additionally, consider adding a pinch of dried herbs or a splash of lemon juice to enhance the flavors.
- Overcooking the mushrooms: Be careful not to overcook the mushrooms, as they can become overly soft and lose their texture. Sauté them just until they are tender and still have a slight bite.
It’s a ME, Mario!
Get ready to savor a taste of the Mushroom Kingdom with this delightful Mushroom Pasta recipe inspired by the Mario Brothers Movie. With its creamy sauce, savory mushrooms, and flavorful ingredients, this dish brings the magic of the Mario franchise to your dinner table.
So don your plumber’s hat, gather your power ups, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you feeling like a hero. From sautéing the onions and mushrooms to incorporating the perfect blend of flavors, this recipe is a testament to the power of simple yet delicious ingredients.
So go ahead, create your own Mario-style feast, and let the flavors transport you to a world of gaming nostalgia. Let’sa go!
Easy Mushroom Pasta from the Mario Bros Movie
Equipment
- pasta spoon
Ingredients
- 4 servings linguine (or tagliatelle), cooked
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup onion finely chopped
- 4-6 baby bella mushrooms sliced
- 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to taste
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese + more for topping
- 2 cups fresh Italian flat leaf parsley finely chopped, separated into 1 cup(s)
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Cook the linguine noodles according to the instructions on the package. Before draining, reserve one cup of the pasta water.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the onions, mushrooms, garlic, and red pepper flakes for 5-8 minutes or until the onions are just beginning to soften.
- Deglaze the skillet with the white wine, stirring while the wine cooks off. When the wine is reduced by half, add in half of the parsley and the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the spoon leaves a clean trail through the skillet and the wine has almost completely cooked off, about 5-10 minutes.
- Add the reserved pasta water to the skillet along with the heavy cream. Bring to a light simmer while stirring occasionally until the sauce is just starting to thicken, about 5 more minutes.
- Reduce the skillet temperature to medium-low. Stir the cooked pasta noodles into the sauce. Toss and fold until the pasta is completely coated in the sauce. Add the remaining parsley to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Serve right away with grated Parmesan for topping. For a true "Mario-style" pasta, pick out all of the mushrooms just prior to eating. Enjoy!
