Ingredients

12 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup chopped shallot

2 tablespoons chopped garlic

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 3/4 teaspoon dried

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 pounds mixed mushrooms, sliced

2 tablespoons brandy or dry sherry

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup vegetable broth or “no-chicken” broth

1/3 cup light cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, and return the pasta to the pot.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the shallot is light brown, 1 to 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated, 7 to 10 minutes.

Stir in brandy (or sherry) and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir to coat. Pour in broth and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Simmer, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in cream and 1/4 cup Parmesan.

Stir the mushroom sauce into the drained pasta. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in some of the reserved pasta-cooking liquid to thin to desired consistency. Serve sprinkled with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.