Spooky Pasta

Why Make This Recipe

Spooky Pasta is a fun and delicious dish that combines the unique flavors of squid ink spaghetti with tasty ingredients like mushrooms and bacon. This recipe is perfect for Halloween parties, themed dinners, or any time you want to impress your friends and family. The skeleton-shaped mushroom skulls add a playful touch, making this dish not only tasty but also visually appealing.

How to Make Spooky Pasta

Ingredients:

• 400 grams (14 oz) squid ink spaghetti
• 16 button mushrooms
• 2 ½ tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small brown onion (finely diced)
• 100 grams bacon (short cut/Canadian bacon)
• 2-3 garlic cloves
• 125 mls (½ cup) dry white wine
• 125 mls (½ cup) thickened cream
• 85 grams (3 oz) parmesan cheese (finely grated)
• ½ bunch fresh thyme (leaves removed from woody stems)

Directions:

1. Prepare mushroom skulls following the instructions in the notes section below.
2. Place a large pot of water on the stove with a generous sprinkle of salt, ready to bring to a boil.
3. In a large non-stick frying pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with olive oil over medium heat.
4. When the butter is foaming, add the mushrooms to the pan, cut side down, with skull faces up. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook mushrooms in two batches if needed.
5. Cook the mushrooms until they are browned and caramelized on the underside. Flip them over and cook for no more than a minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
6. In the same frying pan (without cleaning it), add the remaining ½ tablespoon of butter and melt it.
7. Add the onions to the pan and cook over medium-low heat until soft and translucent, which will take about 5 minutes. Do not brown the onions.
8. Once the onions are soft, add the bacon and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
9. Add the garlic and white wine, then continue cooking. Stir the mixture until the wine has reduced by half and has a thicker, cloudy appearance.
10. While the sauce cooks, bring the pot of salted water to a boil.
11. Add the cream to the pan with the bacon mixture and cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
12. Reserve a couple of pinches of parmesan cheese for topping. Add the rest of the parmesan to the sauce and stir until it melts.
13. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat and set aside until the pasta is cooked.
14. Once the water boils, drop in the squid ink spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Be careful not to overcook it, as it will continue to cook when added to the sauce.
15. Reserve some pasta water by dipping a coffee cup into the pot, usually about one cup.
16. Drain the spaghetti and return the sauce pan to low-medium heat. Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce.
17. Use tongs to toss the spaghetti through the sauce. Add a little reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
18. Gently toss in the skull mushrooms. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh thyme and the reserved parmesan cheese.

How to Serve Spooky Pasta

Serve Spooky Pasta in large bowls, garnished with fresh thyme and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top. You can pair it with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal.

How to Store Spooky Pasta

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water or cream to bring back the creamy texture.

Tips to Make Spooky Pasta

• Use high-quality squid ink spaghetti for the best flavor.
• Don’t overcrowd the frying pan when cooking the mushrooms to ensure they brown nicely.
• Make sure to reserve some pasta water; it helps to adjust the sauce consistency.

Variation

For a vegetarian version, you can replace the bacon with smoked tofu or tempeh for a similar smoky flavor without meat.

FAQs

Can I use regular pasta instead of squid ink spaghetti?
Yes, you can use any type of pasta you prefer, but it won’t have the spooky color of the squid ink spaghetti.

What can I substitute for dry white wine?
You can use vegetable broth or chicken broth as a non-alcoholic substitute.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
While the sauce can be prepared in advance, it’s best to cook the pasta fresh right before serving to maintain the best texture.