Being on a renal-friendly diet doesn’t mean you have to pass up pasta. Today we celebrate National Pasta Day by sharing a delicious mushroom stroganoff recipe. You can enjoy this savory pasta dish tonight!  But first…National Pasta Day??? National Pasta Day celebrates the traditional Italian dish. It is believed that Thomas Jefferson is the one who introduced pasta to America in 1789.  During a stay in Paris, President Jefferson ate what he called “macaroni,” but it might have been any type of pasta. He eventually returned to America with two cases. Pasta’s popularity further blossomed in the U.S. during the late 19th century, when a large group of Italian immigrants (mostly from Naples) moved to America.***

Mushroom Stroganoff
This low protein pasta ticks all the boxes for plant-based comfort food. Pair it with a low potassium salad for added fiber and a deliciously satisfying meal. Be sure to visit the National Kidney Institute for nutritional information and special notes about this dish!

Ingredients
8 oz gluten free rotini
1 small onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
14 oz mushrooms sliced
3 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried
3 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari
1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
¼ teaspoon salt and pepper each to taste
Optional seasonings: ¼ teaspoons red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
¼-½ cup unsweetened coconut milk yogurt
¼ cup parsley chopped

Instructions
Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook rotini per package directions. Once pasta is cooked, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and drain.
Meanwhile, prepare vegetables: dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the mushrooms.
Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook while stirring until translucent and soft, about 2 minutes. Then add garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, and cook for 3-5 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
Add flour and cook while mixing for about 1 minute to get rid of the raw flour taste.
Add vegetable broth slowly and in batches, a few tablespoons at a time, while stirring thoroughly with a whisk to create a thick paste. Make sure all the broth is incorporated before you add more broth. As the flour paste is loosened, you can eventually add more broth at a time while stirring to prevent any lumps. Once broth is incorporated bring sauce to a boil to thicken, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook while stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. You are looking for a smooth, velvety sauce.

Season with soy sauce, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper to taste. Optionally add red pepper flakes for spice and balsamic vinegar for more tart, keeping in mind that your yogurt of choice may already be tart.  Add the yogurt and the drained pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Remove from the heat and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

***Source: National Days Today