Dinner # 7 of the 12 Dinners of Christmas -- Blue Cheese and Mushroom Pappardella

Sometimes my refrigerator gets no love. This week it has been pretty empty. I grocery shopped for 3 of my clients on 3 different days, but I somehow forgot to shop for my family while I was there.

Dinner #7 of the 12 Dinners of Christmas was conceived with what I found in my refrigerator and pantry. Some pappardella pasta, blue cheese, white mushrooms, half and half, and a bunch of parsley were the most attractive items I found. Blue Cheese and Mushroom Pappardella was a hearty vegetarian dinner that cooks up quick and can be prepared as the pasta cooks. This dish would also make a nice accompaniment to beef tenderloin and a glass of champagne on New Year's Eve.

The Kids had pappardella with fresh marinara which left more Blue Cheese and Mushroom Pappardella for me. They thought I was serving them something new because of the different pasta shape. Oh the little things that make them happy.

Blue Cheese and Mushroom Pappardella

serves 3 - 4 as an entree or 5 - 6 as a side dish

olive oil
10 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
salt
pepper
1/2 - 3/4 cup half and half
1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled - plus more to sprinkle
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
8 ounces pappardella, cooked and drained

Heat a large saute pan to medium high and add a good drizzle of olive oil and the sliced mushrooms. Saute for 8 - 10 minutes or until the mushrooms start to lightly brown and caramelize. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in half and half and let reduce for a minute or two. Add more cream if you like your sauce a little saucy. Add blue cheese and stir to combine. Stir in parsley.

Serve over hot pappardella with extra blue cheese on top.

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