Portobello Portal Pasta with Lemon Cream
Creamy pasta featuring roasted portobello mushrooms as the centerpiece, mimicking a transfer portal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 4 large, stems removed portobello mushrooms
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 4 large portobello mushrooms with 2 tbsp olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 15 minutes until tender and edges are slightly crispy.
- Step 2: Cook 12 oz penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: Whisk 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan in a saucepan over medium heat until simmering, stirring constantly for 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.
- Step 4: Toss drained pasta with roasted mushrooms and cream sauce until evenly coated; add more reserved pasta water if needed to achieve a glossy texture.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Portobello Portal Pasta with Lemon Cream take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Portobello Portal Pasta with Lemon Cream?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Portobello Portal Pasta with Lemon Cream?
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 Portobello Portal Pasta with Lemon Cream 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 Portobello Portal Pasta with Lemon Cream 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.
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