cheese pasta

The cheese pasta you find in places such as Lucca, however, is a comfortable, flexible opportunity for variation to more complex, multi-cheese formulations of texture and taste. Here’s a simple recipe for you to follow:

Ingredients:

200 grams (7 ounces) pasta (e.g. penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Cook the Pasta:

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Also, before draining, reserve approximately 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Pit the paste and reserve it.

Prepare the Cheese Sauce:

In a large skillet or a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute (don’t brown it).

Add the heavy cream and continue cooking over low heat until the cream is at a gentle simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Lower the heat to a simmer and whisk in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella gradually, until the cheeses have melted and the sauce is smooth. And if your sauce is too thick, drizzle in some of your reserved pasta water, little by little, until it’s how you want it.

Combine Pasta and Sauce:

Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat each piece in cheese sauce. If the mix looks too thick, add a little more of the reserved pasta water to loosen.

Season and Serve:

Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or basil (if using).

Variations:

Four Cheese Pasta: When it comes to creaminess, go with a combination of rich cheeses like Gorgonzola, Fontina, Gruyère, or Asiago. Together they make for a rich, complex sauce.

Cream Cheese Pasta: You can swap the heavy cream for cream cheese for a tangy twist. Use a bit of pasta water to melt the cream cheese, then stir in Parmesan and any other cheeses you want.

Add-In: Make it creamy cheese pasta by stir in cooked chicken, crispy bacon, and sautéed mushrooms or steamed broccoli. Thyme or rosemary are other great fresh herbs to boost the flavor profile of the dish.

Easy cheese pasta recipe This pasta with cheese recipe is a comforting and satisfying dish that is also simple to prepare and can be adapted to your taste.