Why This Recipe Works

We amped up the “meatiness” in this vegetarian pasta sauce by using a full pound of savory cremini mushrooms and a hefty amount of tomato paste.

Before You Begin

We like to sprinkle the pasta with sliced chives and red pepper flakes before serving.

Instructions

Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to pot.

Meanwhile, pulse mushrooms in food processor until finely chopped, about 10 pulses. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add mushrooms, onion, carrot, and salt and cook until mushrooms appear dry and begin to stick to bottom of skillet, about 14 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste and garlic and cook until fond forms on bottom of skillet, about 1 minute. Stir in wine, scraping up any browned bits, and cook until evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved cooking water and bring to boil. Add sauce and Pecorino to pasta in pot and stir to combine. Serve with extra Pecorino.