Pasta & rice main dishes

Bucatini pasta with mushroom sauce and a quenelle of herby goat’s cheese

⏱ 20 min🍳 12 min👤 2 pp★★★☆☆

There is nothing better than a delicious pasta dish to turn an ordinary Sunday lunch into a party, especially if spent with the family. For once we leave aside the traditional meat sauce or lasagna to make way for a mushroom sauce, typically autumnal but also great at any time of the year. This dish will be absolutely fabulous if made in exactly the way we suggest, and it also works really well with green beans. But this version of bucatini pasta with mushroom sauce is really delicious: the unmistakable aroma of mushrooms, the crispness of the courgettes and the creaminess of the goat’s cheese make this pasta dish a triumph of flavours. Don’t forget that for this pasta dish with a quenelle of herby goat’s cheese, it’s really important to get hold of some fresh herbs, preferably from your balcony or garden. Get some freshness and fragrance into your pasta dish!

Ingredients

Nutritional values 520 kcal / serving

Protein
16g
Carbohydrates
68g
Fat
18g
Fiber
3g

* approximate values per serving

Information
20 minutes Preparation time
12 minutes Cooking time
Serves 2 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Chop the herbs finely and mix them with the fresh goat’s cheese. Leave the herby cheese in the fridge for an hour to develop its flavour. Prepare the mushrooms, the courgettes and their flowers, then cut everything into thin slices. Fry the vegetables with a drizzle of oil, keeping them crunchy. Cook the pasta ‘al dente’, add it to the pan and cook briefly with the sauce. Serve the pasta next to a quenelle of herby goat’s cheese and enjoy.

Tips
To get the best results, try to get some fresh mushrooms. If they are not in season you could possibly use dried mushrooms, making sure you soak them for necessary time and rinse them well before use.
Trivia
In Italy goat’s cheese is produced with 100% goat’s milk, although there is none produced with DOP (denominazione di origine protetta) with 100% goat milk. As regards the use of goat’s milk in the production of chees, the region driving production in Italy is Piedmont, while at European level the highest quantities are made in France.

Step by step

Goat’s cheese
Goat’s cheese
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Bucatini alla boscaiola with potatoes

A delicious variant of the traditional bucatini alla boscaiola is the addition of potatoes. To make this dish, simply boil the potatoes, cut them into cubes, and add them to the mushroom and vegetable sauce during the cooking phase. The potatoes give a creamy texture and a comforting flavor to the dish, making it even more substantial and suitable for those looking for a complete meal. This combination is perfect for family dinners, where the simplicity of the ingredients blends with the rich taste of porcini mushrooms. Additionally, the contrast between the crunchiness of the zucchini and the softness of the potatoes creates a harmony of textures that enriches the culinary experience. Don't forget to garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a final touch of freshness.

Bucatini alla boscaiola in white

For those who desire a lighter version without tomato, bucatini alla boscaiola in white represents an excellent alternative. In this preparation, only porcini mushrooms, zucchini, and a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil can be used to enhance the flavors. After sautéing the vegetables, the al dente bucatini are added, creating a simple yet flavorful dish. This variant is ideal for those who want to savor the authentic taste of the ingredients without the addition of heavy sauces. Furthermore, the dish can be enriched with a sprinkle of grated cheese, making it even more appetizing. The lightness of this recipe makes it perfect for a summer lunch.

Bucatini alla boscaiola light without goat cheese

For those who are calorie-conscious, bucatini alla boscaiola light can be prepared without the addition of goat cheese. By replacing the cheese with a dressing made from Greek yogurt and herbs, a fresh and light dish is achieved. This version retains the flavors of the porcini and zucchini, offering a preparation that satisfies without weighing you down. Using a drizzle of oil and limiting the amount of salt results in a dish that is not only tasty but also healthy. Bucatini alla boscaiola light is perfect for those following a balanced diet but who do not want to give up the pleasure of a good first course. This approach allows you to enjoy the richness of flavors while keeping an eye on well-being.

Bucatini alla boscaiola: benefits and calories

Bucatini alla boscaiola offers several benefits thanks to the fresh and nutritious ingredients used in the preparation. Porcini mushrooms, for example, are known for their antioxidant properties and their content of B vitamins, which support energy metabolism. Zucchini provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to good digestion and healthy skin. Regarding calories, a serving of bucatini alla boscaiola is around 500-600 calories, depending on the amount of oil and cheese used. These values may vary based on specific ingredients and portions, but in general, the dish represents a nutritious option for a balanced meal.

Can bucatini alla boscaiola be frozen?

Yes, bucatini alla boscaiola can be frozen, but it is important to follow some precautions to preserve its flavor and texture. Before freezing, it is advisable to let them cool completely and then store them in airtight containers or food bags. This way, frost formation is avoided, and the freshness of the dish is maintained. When you wish to consume them, you can thaw them in the refrigerator for a few hours or heat them directly in a pan with a drizzle of oil, adding a little water to prevent them from drying out. Remember that goat cheese may alter its texture after freezing, so it might be better to add it fresh at the time of serving.