Aperol Mushroom & Thyme Pasta
A vibrant pasta dish where Aperol's bittersweet notes harmonize with earthy mushrooms and fresh thyme, creating a sophisticated yet simple weeknight meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs Aperol, Dried porcini mushrooms, Fresh cremini mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 542 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Aperol
- 1/4 cup Dried porcini mushrooms
- 8 oz Fresh cremini mushrooms
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup Dry white wine
- 12 oz Spaghetti
- 1/2 cup, grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rehydrate dried porcini in 1/2 cup warm water for 20 minutes, then strain, reserving the liquid. Dice cremini mushrooms into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Step 2: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming. Add mushrooms and thyme, then cook for 8 minutes until mushrooms are golden and release moisture, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add Aperol and reserved porcini liquid to the skillet, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes until reduced by half and syrupy, with the liquid coating the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Add white wine and simmer for 2 minutes until alcohol evaporates and the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in 1/4 cup pasta water from boiling the spaghetti.
- Step 5: Toss cooked spaghetti with the mushroom sauce until evenly coated, adding more pasta water as needed to achieve a glossy consistency. Stir in grated Pecorino and season with salt and pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Aperol Mushroom & Thyme Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Aperol Mushroom & Thyme Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep aperol from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Aperol Mushroom & Thyme Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Aperol Mushroom & Thyme Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Aperol Mushroom & Thyme Pasta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
