Smoky Brie Pasta
Brie melts with a splash of pasta water to make a silky coating instead of a heavy cream sauce. Smoky mushrooms give the penne enough savory backbone to balance all that richness.

Recipe link
Prep time15 min
Cook time20 min
Total time35 MINUTES
- Course
- Pasta
- Cuisine
- Vegetarian Vegan
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Est. calories / serving
- 648
Ingredients
- 2 cups Smoky Portobello Mushrooms
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- kosher salt (for pasta water)
- 2 cups broccoli (florets, blanched)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 shallots (thinly sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup artichoke hearts, (drained, quartered)
- 6 ounces brie, (rind removed, medium dice)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water, (for sautéing, as needed)
Garnish
- black pepper, (coarse, freshly ground)
- parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Instructions
Instructions
- Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 60–90 seconds, just until bright green and crisp-tender. Transfer immediately to an ice bath, then drain well.2 cups broccoli florets
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.12 oz penne, kosher salt, ½ cup pasta water
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.2 tbsp olive oil, 2 shallots, 4 cloves garlic, ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Add the Vegetables: Add the artichoke hearts, Smoky Portobello Mushrooms, and blanched broccoli to the skillet. Toss for 2–3 minutes until everything is hot.1 cup artichoke hearts, 2 cups Smoky Portobello Mushrooms, blanched broccoli
- Melt the Brie: Add the cooked penne and brie to the skillet. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time, until the brie melts into a creamy sauce that coats the pasta.cooked penne, 6 oz brie, reserved pasta water
Notes
- Blanch the Broccoli First: Par-cooking the broccoli keeps it bright green and prevents it from overcooking while the pasta is being finished.
- Use Pasta Water: Brie needs a little pasta water to loosen into a sauce instead of clumping.
- Brie Prep: Removing most of the rind helps the cheese melt more smoothly.
- Artichokes: Drain the artichokes well before adding them so they sauté instead of watering down the pan.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with Vegan Caesar Salad, Greek Garden Salad, Roasted Eggplant Bruschetta Toasts, or Fresh Basil Pesto.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
Yield
4 entrée portions — Serving size: About 2 cups pasta
- Calories
- 648
- Carbohydrates
- 78 g
- Protein
- 25 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Saturated Fat
- 12 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 3 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 10 g
- Cholesterol
- 48 mg
- Sodium
- 895 mg
- Potassium
- 785 mg
- Fiber
- 9 g
- Total Sugars
- 7 g
- Vitamin A
- 1380 IU
- Vitamin C
- 54 mg
- Calcium
- 285 mg
- Iron
- 5 mg
Equipment
- Large pot
- Medium pot
- Large skillet
- Colander
- Ice bath
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Tongs or wooden spoon