Mezzi Paccheri with Mushrooms and Cream; Recipe from Naples
Known as ‘miezi paccheri alla capa ’e’ mbrello in the local dialect, this Neapolitan recipe for mezzi paccheri with mushrooms and cream is super simple to make and outstandingly delicious!
'Miezi paccheri alla capa’ e 'mbrello’.
In Neapolitan dialect, ‘si’na capa’ e ‘mbrella’ is an idiom that means doing things in a rough and haphazard way without thinking! I was unable to discover exactly when this pasta recipe got its name. But, I imagine that it was invented by someone putting ingredients together without following a particular recipe and just using what’s available. Something, I guess, we have all done at times, often with great results!
Cream is not a common ingredient in the Neapolitan kitchen. However, this mezzi paccheri with mushrooms and cream recipe can apparently be found in a famous Neapolitan cookbook called ‘Frijenno Magnanno’ a thousand and one recipes compiled by Luciano de Crescenzo. This cookbook is a collection of recipes from Campania and the author a well-known writer, actor and director from Naples.
The Mushrooms.
You can choose to use dried or fresh mushrooms. If using dried mushroom, you will need to soak them for about 20-30 minutes before cooking. I used fresh cremini and white button mushrooms this time, but I’d like to repeat this recipe with dried mushrooms one day soon!
The Pasta.
Traditionally this recipe calls for mezzi paccheri. Paccheri are quite large wide pasta tubes which are typically Neapolitan. You can read more about paccheri in my post about this pasta. Mezzi paccheri are ‘half’ paccheri so, shorter pasta tubes. I used a pasta that’s very similar to mezzi paccheri called tuffoli. Tuffoli are a ridged pasta tube made by a company called Pasta Mancini from Le Marche, Central Italy.
In my opinion, Pasta Mancini is the equivalent of a ‘designer label’ pasta. This company makes its pasta from durum wheat it grows itself using sustainable farming methods and following a set of rules known as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). In fact, its pasta factory is located in the middle of its own wheat fields!
Needless to say this company’s pasta is, like other high quality artisan pasta, extruded through bronze dies and slow dried. Definitely worth buying if you come across it.
If you live in US and want to buy the same pasta I used (Tuffoli from Mancini), I recently discovered an online Italian food store which sells this and some other great pasta called SupermarketItaly. You can order it from them!
How to make this mezzi paccheri with mushrooms and cream.
Mushrooms, cream, butter, eggs and Parmigiano (or vegetarian parmesan) are the main ingredients of this super simple recipe. The mushrooms are cooked in butter, while the eggs, cheese and cream are just mixed together and then added to the mushrooms. Once the pasta is cooked, you just mix it with the sauce and it’s ready.
This mezzi paccheri with mushrooms and cream is a bit like a carbonara with cream and mushrooms instead of guanciale. The combination of the eggs, cream and grated Parmigiano combined with the mushrooms cooked in butter create a fabulous sauce that really needs no other seasoning or flavours.
Like carbonara, this recipe also has no onions, garlic or herbs. I added a sprinkling of parsley mostly for a bit of colour, but parsley isn’t in the original recipe, so you can omit it.
If you do try this mezzi paccheri with mushrooms and cream, I’d love to hear what you think. Please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.
Your feedback means a lot to me!
Buon Appetito!
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Other paccheri recipes on The Pasta Project
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Mezzi Paccheri with Mushrooms and Cream
Ingredients
- 400 g mezzi paccheri (14oz) or tuffoli from Pasta Mancini
- 300 g mushrooms (10oz) or 100 g dried mushrooms
- 50 g Parmigiano Reggiano (2 oz) grated ( or vegetarian parmesan as Italian Parmigiano contains animal rennet)
- 50 g butter (2 oz)
- 2 eggs
- ¼ lt fresh cream (8.5 floz)
- salt for pasta and to taste
- black pepper to taste
- fresh parsley as required (optional)
Instructions
- Clean the mushrooms and cut them into small slices or quarters. If using dried mushrooms, soak in warm water for 20-30 mins then drain and cut into small pieces.
- Melt the butter in a deep frying pan or skillet on a very low flame, so that it does not burn. Add the cut mushrooms and cook for 15 minutes or so.
- While the mushrooms are cooking, put one egg and one egg yolk into a bowl, with the Parmigiano and the cream beat together gently until you have a smooth mixture.
- Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. when it starts to boil add salt and bring to the boil again. Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet.
- Just before the pasta is ready, add the mixture of eggs, cheese and cream to the mushrooms cooked in butter and mix ( but don’t cook it further). Add salt and pepper to taste.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the sauce. Immediately, mix the sauce and the pasta together well over a low heat. You want the sauce to heat through and coat the pasta without the eggs becoming scrambled.
- Serve immediately with a sprinkling of parsley (optional) and some more grated parmigiano.
Notes
Nutrition
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If you are interested in learning how to make other homemade pasta and different types of gnocchi, check out my shop page for some great video online courses from my friends in Rome! Nothing beats learning to make pasta from Italians! Plus while you’re there why not order a copy of one of my pasta recipe cookbooks!?
Candiss says
There is nothing better than a nice creamy pasta dish. I think this looks like it would be perfect for a cold winter day!
Jacqui says
I agree Candiss! This is comfort food supreme!
Kelly Anthony says
Your pictures really highlight this mezzi paccheri with mushrooms and cream. I'm seriously drooling over this pasta and wishing I had some right now.
Jacqui says
Thanks Kelly! This recipe tastes as good as it looks!
Lathiya says
The pasta looks delicious with those cream,mushrooms and butter. This makes a great dinner.
Jacqui says
Thank you for your comment Lathiya! Yes this is definitely a delicious dinner recipe!
Amanda says
Mushrooms, cream, butter, eggs and parmesan -- is there a better pasta combination? This is a seriously delicious recipe. As always, thanks for sharing your talent!
Jacqui says
Happy you like this creamy mushroom pasta recipe Amanda!
Jeannette (Jay Joy) says
Thank you for these step-by-step instructions. They were super easy to follow. I had to search in two different places to find the large wide pasta tubes. Yummy!
Jacqui says
Glad you managed to find the pasta tubes and enjoyed this mushroom pasta Jeannette!
Carmen Berry says
I love mushrooms, so this dish looks incredible! Do you have a recommendation for another type of pasta if I can't find this? Thank you!
Jacqui says
You can used any large pasta tube or this recipe Carmen! I'd suggest mezze maniche, rigatoni or even pennone /large penne! But go with what you find. The quality of the pasta is more important than the shape! Best to find an artisan bronze extruded pasta if you can!
Stine Mari says
I love how the sauce clings to the pasta, just the right texture in my opinion. And mushrooms are so delicious in pasta dishes, so I know this is a winner!
Jacqui says
Thanks Stine Mari! The quality of the pasta is what helps make the sauce adhere to it. I always prefer to use a bronze extruded, slow dried pasta like the mezzi paccheri (tuffoli) I used.
Jere Cassidy says
This pasta looks perfect to me. I love mushrooms and pasta together. Your dishes always look amazing.
Jacqui says
Thank you Jere! I think mushrooms with pasta is a perfect meal! So delicious!
Gloria says
As a mushroom lover and pasta lover, this is a winner. Add the cream sauce, and it is a done deal. Pour me a glass of white wine, and I call this one delicious dinner.
Jacqui says
Thank you Gloria! Yes a glass (or two!) of white wine would go perfectly with this dish!
Natalie says
Looks sooooo good! Perfect for a quick hearty dinner ♥
Jacqui says
Thank you Natalie! This is a easy recipe with a 5 star taste! Wonderful for a quick dinner!
Jill says
Love how simple and quick this pasta recipe is. Such perfect comfort food!
Jacqui says
Comfort food at its best Jill!
lola@cheflolaskitchen says
Pasta lover since forever. Have tried so many different recipes, now's surely time for this. Way to go Jacqui.
Jacqui says
Thank you! I'm sure you'll love this recipe Lola!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
So comforting, this dish is what I'm going to have on a rainy day!
Jacqui says
Yes, perfect for a cold rainy day Shadi! You're going to love it, I'm sure!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
This is the kind of pasta dish I dream about. Creamy, rich and loaded with mushrooms. This is exactly the type of food that has stopped my super-model career dead in its tracks -- but it's worth it!
Jacqui says
Yes definitely a dish to dream about Lisa! I have also lost my waistline to good food! But difficult to live in Italy and stay slim!
Emmeline says
This looks 100% amazing! Never heard of the dish before but I love a good pasta ai funghi - is there a difference, do you know? Or is it only that they're from different regions?
Jacqui says
Thank you Emmeline! There are many mushroom pasta recipes here in Italy and yes the ingredients depend on the region. This one is quite unique because of the addition of eggs, like carbonara!
Tayler Ross says
This looks like total comfort food! I can't wait to try it!
Jacqui says
I'm sure you'll really love this recipe Tayler! Definitely perfect comfort food!
kim says
This recipe is perfect! It's super easy and has so much flavor! A great, comforting winter meal!
Jacqui says
That's what I love about this recipe too, Kim! So flavourful and yet super easy to make!
Danielle Wolter says
Mushrooms are just one of my favorite things ever. This sauce looks absolutely incredible. Ultimate comfort food!
Jacqui says
Thanks Danielle! I love mushrooms too and this recipe can be made with fresh or dried!
Cathy says
I honestly want this pasta right now! First of all I love cream, mushrooms and pasta and you have all three here! YUM!!!
Jacqui says
It doesn't get much better than mushrooms, cream and pasta, does it Cathy?
Nathan Wyper says
Looks so delicious, i love mushrooms! This would be my perfect comfort food!
Jacqui says
Thank you so much Nathan! Mushrooms and pasta really is perfect comfort food!