Reid Quiggins (adapted by JojoM)

A simplified take on Chef Clare Smyth’s pasta — creamy, risotto-style orecchiette with sofritto, mushrooms, spinach, butter, and Parmigiano.
Craving a restaurant-quality pasta dish without leaving your kitchen? This 3 Michelin Star Pasta You Can Actually Make at Home is inspired by Chef Clare Smyth and adapted into a recipe you can pull off on a weeknight. Think of it as a creamy risotto-style orecchiette loaded with sofritto, mushrooms, butter, and spinach — all finished with a sharp sprinkle of Parmigiano.
The best part? It’s made in just one pan with simple ingredients, yet it tastes like it came straight from a fine-dining kitchen.
This combination makes the dish elegant, hearty, and full of layers of flavor — a true comfort food with a refined edge.
💡 Pro Tip: Treat the pasta like risotto — stir often and add stock gradually to achieve that luxurious texture.
Build your sofritto
Heat olive oil and sauté onion, carrot, and celery with salt and pepper until softened and aromatic.
Toast and simmer
Add orecchiette and toast for a minute. Stir in mushrooms, then cover with stock. Simmer gently, stirring often and topping up with stock as needed.
Finish strong
When pasta is nearly al dente, stir in butter, spinach, and a splash of vinegar. Season well and serve hot with plenty of Parmigiano.
This pasta is versatile enough for:
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Swap chicken stock for vegetable stock. It’s still creamy and flavorful.
What pasta shape works best?
Orecchiette is perfect, but small shells or ditalini also work well.
Do I have to add vinegar?
It really helps balance the richness. If you don’t have vinegar, lemon juice is a great substitute.
This dish is proof that Michelin-level cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating. With just a handful of ingredients, patience, and a one-pan technique, you can bring a refined, creamy pasta to your own table.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or guests — this recipe will impress every time. ✨
A simplified take on Chef Clare Smyth’s pasta — creamy, risotto-style orecchiette with sofritto, mushrooms, spinach, butter, and Parmigiano.

Use orecchiette or another small pasta for best texture.
Add stock gradually as with risotto for creamier results.
A splash of good vinegar balances the richness beautifully.
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Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add onion, carrot, and celery with salt and pepper.
Cook until softened and aromatic, about 5–6 minutes.
Add orecchiette to the pan, toasting 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
Stir in mushrooms and cook briefly.
Pour in chicken stock to cover pasta by about 2.5 cm (1 inch).
Simmer gently, stirring often and adding more stock or water as needed, risotto-style.
When pasta is just shy of al dente, stir in butter, spinach, and a splash of vinegar.
Season to taste, then serve hot topped with Parmigiano Reggiano.
9/10/2025
Okay imma make this — looks simple but elegant!
9/8/2025
Alright I made this and it was gasolina, ignore the haters!!!
9/5/2025
These comments are really mean. Honestly, recipe looks delicious!
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Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 250 g)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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