Pasta sauces wanted
June 29, 2021 9:15 AM Subscribe
When I make pasta sauce it tends to turn out pretty well but all my pasta sauces tend inexorably toward the same flavor profile. I want new and exciting sauces, mostly vegetarian.
So basically I make a very nice crushed tomato/red pepper/garlic/some mixed herbs/onion/white wine pasta sauce with maybe ricotta or cream stirred in if I have it. Nice, but - we have pasta at least once a week and it's nice but boring. I'd really like some exciting and different home-made options.
Meat is for holidays and family guests only, so while I'm open to recipes with meat or fish I'm particularly looking for vegetarian or vegan sauces.
We are not seeking pestos at this time for various Reasons (cost, hate cleaning the blender, small kitchen, ten POUNDS of basil, etc etc).
Also, please link me to instructions, or write them out! I am not ready to commit to more cookbooks than I own right now.
So basically I make a very nice crushed tomato/red pepper/garlic/some mixed herbs/onion/white wine pasta sauce with maybe ricotta or cream stirred in if I have it. Nice, but - we have pasta at least once a week and it's nice but boring. I'd really like some exciting and different home-made options.
Meat is for holidays and family guests only, so while I'm open to recipes with meat or fish I'm particularly looking for vegetarian or vegan sauces.
We are not seeking pestos at this time for various Reasons (cost, hate cleaning the blender, small kitchen, ten POUNDS of basil, etc etc).
Also, please link me to instructions, or write them out! I am not ready to commit to more cookbooks than I own right now.
This is obscenely good, though it does require you to bust out the food processor: Shells with Yogurt, Peas and Chile
Also fantastic, and easier than the above, is this veggie pasta that basically is just throwing a log of goat cheese on your hot pasta and veggies.
There is nothing healthy about this creamy cauliflower pasta but wow is it great.
Smitten Kitchen has loads of delicious vegetarian pasta recipes of varying levels of difficulty, I strongly recommend browsing there.
posted by amelioration at 9:27 AM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
Also fantastic, and easier than the above, is this veggie pasta that basically is just throwing a log of goat cheese on your hot pasta and veggies.
There is nothing healthy about this creamy cauliflower pasta but wow is it great.
Smitten Kitchen has loads of delicious vegetarian pasta recipes of varying levels of difficulty, I strongly recommend browsing there.
posted by amelioration at 9:27 AM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
If you're looking for something quite different, there's the world of Thai pastas (which are also widely consumed in Thailand, so this is not some sort of fever dream fusion PF Chang invention).
My favorite of these is tom yum spaghetti. The linked recipe has traditional tom yum ingredients (i.e. it includes shrimp) but of course you could add or leave out whatever you like.
Having made this a bunch of times, and per your specifications, a couple of notes:
- The lemongrass, lime leaves, and galangal are 100% essential; I would really try hard to find these, as they are a key ingredient
- Fish sauce is one of two non-vegetarian ingredients and could be substituted easily with soy sauce or salt
- Thai chili paste is the other non-vegetarian ingredient (it has shrimp products). It is kind of a key flavor, but you could experiment -- for reference, chili paste is umami-heavy, somewhat sweet and only very mildly hot. I know you largely eat vegetarian but if you are able to at least try it with Thai chili paste once, at least you will have an idea of what you are aiming toward.
"Pad macaroni" is basically a Thai interpretation of Western pasta dishes and has an entirely vegetarian sauce. Simple and you may already have lots of the ingredients on hand -- you might be skeptical when looking at the recipe, but it's honestly so good (it's a comfort food in my household!)
Drunken spaghetti (i.e. pad kee mao/drunken noodles made with spaghetti in place of rice noodles) is also delicious, but both oyster and fish sauce are called for in the sauce. If you sub in all soy sauce, it would still be good, though probably a little more one-note in savoriness.
posted by andrewesque at 9:31 AM on June 29, 2021 [4 favorites]
My favorite of these is tom yum spaghetti. The linked recipe has traditional tom yum ingredients (i.e. it includes shrimp) but of course you could add or leave out whatever you like.
Having made this a bunch of times, and per your specifications, a couple of notes:
- The lemongrass, lime leaves, and galangal are 100% essential; I would really try hard to find these, as they are a key ingredient
- Fish sauce is one of two non-vegetarian ingredients and could be substituted easily with soy sauce or salt
- Thai chili paste is the other non-vegetarian ingredient (it has shrimp products). It is kind of a key flavor, but you could experiment -- for reference, chili paste is umami-heavy, somewhat sweet and only very mildly hot. I know you largely eat vegetarian but if you are able to at least try it with Thai chili paste once, at least you will have an idea of what you are aiming toward.
"Pad macaroni" is basically a Thai interpretation of Western pasta dishes and has an entirely vegetarian sauce. Simple and you may already have lots of the ingredients on hand -- you might be skeptical when looking at the recipe, but it's honestly so good (it's a comfort food in my household!)
Drunken spaghetti (i.e. pad kee mao/drunken noodles made with spaghetti in place of rice noodles) is also delicious, but both oyster and fish sauce are called for in the sauce. If you sub in all soy sauce, it would still be good, though probably a little more one-note in savoriness.
posted by andrewesque at 9:31 AM on June 29, 2021 [4 favorites]
America's Test Kitchen's pasta primavera is superb, and I think my favorite parts about it is the vegetables are cooked just right and it's cooked more like risotto than a standard boil pasta.
posted by General Malaise at 9:40 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by General Malaise at 9:40 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
This is a minor variation, but I like puttanesca sauce. Also peanut sauce, though a blender is involved. Here's one version.
posted by pinochiette at 9:43 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by pinochiette at 9:43 AM on June 29, 2021
95% of the time when I make pasta, the pasta doesn't have "sauce" as such - it's more like, an amalgam of pasta and sauteed chunky vegetables. Which is perfect for both "oh god I need to use up the vegetables from the CSA" and "oh god I need something on the table fast but it's too hot to cook for a long time". One of my go-to's is basically an even easier version of this recipe for ravioli with mushrooms and chard. I'm keeping that link in because it still looks good, but here is the variation which is more what I do.
Ingredients
16 to 18 ounces fresh or frozen cheese ravioli or tortellini
4 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 bunch Swiss chard - SAVE the stems and chop them up, and chop up leaves separately
2 cloves garlic, chopped
kosher salt and black pepper
½ cup grated pecorino or parmaesan
Step 1
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Step 2
Meanwhile, bring another big pot of water to a boil and then drop in the chopped chard stems.
Let that boil for 2 minutes, then add the leaves and boil for another 30 seconds. Drain.
Step 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for about a minute until you can just smell it.
Step 4
Add the Swiss chard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook, tossing frequently, until heated through.
Step 5
Toss the vegetable mixture with the pasta, drizzle with the remaining oil, and sprinkle with the pecorino or parmaesan.
Protip: if you ever eat beets, save the greens and use them in place of the chard.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:44 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
Ingredients
16 to 18 ounces fresh or frozen cheese ravioli or tortellini
4 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 bunch Swiss chard - SAVE the stems and chop them up, and chop up leaves separately
2 cloves garlic, chopped
kosher salt and black pepper
½ cup grated pecorino or parmaesan
Step 1
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Step 2
Meanwhile, bring another big pot of water to a boil and then drop in the chopped chard stems.
Let that boil for 2 minutes, then add the leaves and boil for another 30 seconds. Drain.
Step 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for about a minute until you can just smell it.
Step 4
Add the Swiss chard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook, tossing frequently, until heated through.
Step 5
Toss the vegetable mixture with the pasta, drizzle with the remaining oil, and sprinkle with the pecorino or parmaesan.
Protip: if you ever eat beets, save the greens and use them in place of the chard.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:44 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
This asparagus and lemon pasta dish is delicious, whatever kind of pasta you use. Adjust the amount of lemon to suit your taste (I love sour flavours and hate having half-lemons sitting reproachfully in the fridge, so I double it).
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 9:48 AM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 9:48 AM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
Deborah Madison's Whole Wheat Pasta with Chickpeas and Parsley
posted by Morpeth at 9:49 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by Morpeth at 9:49 AM on June 29, 2021
I can vouch for all of these, and apart from the primavera (which requires a bit of veggie prep), I don't think they'll take any longer than your tomato-based sauces:
Pasta al Limone
Vegetarian Citrus Pasta with Swiss Chard
Pasta with Mushrooms, Brussels Sprouts, and Parmesan
Pasta with Beans and Greens (recipe has anchovies but they're optional)
Pasta Primavera
posted by Hypocrite_Lecteur at 9:53 AM on June 29, 2021
Pasta al Limone
Vegetarian Citrus Pasta with Swiss Chard
Pasta with Mushrooms, Brussels Sprouts, and Parmesan
Pasta with Beans and Greens (recipe has anchovies but they're optional)
Pasta Primavera
posted by Hypocrite_Lecteur at 9:53 AM on June 29, 2021
I've been digging roux-based pasta sauces lately. For example: Infuse as much minced garlic as you want (and other things if you please, like dried mushrooms or chiles) in 1/2 cup butter, slowly over low heat in a saucepan. Pour off half of the butter into a pint measuring cup, fill to the 1 cup line with a dry white wine, then fill to the pint line with water. Put the saucepan over medium heat. When the butter is sizzling, whisk in 3 Tbsp flour and keep whisking until it turns golden brown. Whisk in the contents of the measuring cup and season with salt and pepper. Stir continuously until it starts to boil, then for another minute; the consistency will be a thin gravy. Pour over al dente pasta and cook the pasta for a minute, stirring, so the sauce coats the pasta and thickens a little more.
(An amazing but not vegetarian twist on this recipe is to prepare the garlic-wine-butter liquid as above, steam clams or mussels in it, then use that liquid in the pasta sauce. The shellfish drip flavor into it while they're cooking. I usually make the shellfish one night, keep the liquid, and use it for linguine the following night; getting two meals out of shellfish really helps me justify their cost.)
posted by aws17576 at 9:58 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
(An amazing but not vegetarian twist on this recipe is to prepare the garlic-wine-butter liquid as above, steam clams or mussels in it, then use that liquid in the pasta sauce. The shellfish drip flavor into it while they're cooking. I usually make the shellfish one night, keep the liquid, and use it for linguine the following night; getting two meals out of shellfish really helps me justify their cost.)
posted by aws17576 at 9:58 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
This is still in the Italian range, but different and very simple.
Set salted pot of water to boil. Add short tubular pasta like penne and cook according to directions. Meanwhile:
(1) Chop up broccoli rabe, removing and discarding woody stems
[(1a) Heat a couple anchovies in a few tbsp. of olive oil in a capacious pan until they dissolve--this will NOT taste "fishy," but you can omit if you prefer vegetarian]
(2) Saute several cloves of garlic in the olive oil with red pepper flakes until brown
(3) Add the broccoli rabe and saute til it's wilted and toothsome
(4) Add drained pasta to pan (optionally, add a few tbps of pasta water for thickening), mix, and heat through
(5) Grate parmesan over top, if desired
posted by praemunire at 10:01 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
Set salted pot of water to boil. Add short tubular pasta like penne and cook according to directions. Meanwhile:
(1) Chop up broccoli rabe, removing and discarding woody stems
[(1a) Heat a couple anchovies in a few tbsp. of olive oil in a capacious pan until they dissolve--this will NOT taste "fishy," but you can omit if you prefer vegetarian]
(2) Saute several cloves of garlic in the olive oil with red pepper flakes until brown
(3) Add the broccoli rabe and saute til it's wilted and toothsome
(4) Add drained pasta to pan (optionally, add a few tbps of pasta water for thickening), mix, and heat through
(5) Grate parmesan over top, if desired
posted by praemunire at 10:01 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
This is not a recipe but a recommendation. Use real San Marzano canned whole tomatoes. Yes they're more expensive but when you open the can and smell them, you'll know why they're worth it.
posted by tmdonahue at 10:03 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by tmdonahue at 10:03 AM on June 29, 2021
I know you said no pestos, but I had to include this one which is really damn good; and it features parsley rather than basil, which is a damn sight cheaper at least. (The original is in Jack Bishop's "A Year In a Vegetarian Kitchen"; hopefully I mostly remember it right.)
Toast 1/2 cup of unsalted pepitas in the oven at 375 F for about 10 minutes, or until they start to brown. Combine the pepitas in a food processor with 1 1/2 cups (packed) of parsley leaves, 1 clove of garlic (sliced), 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and blitz until well ground. Slowly add 1/3 cup of olive oil with the food processor running, until fairly smooth. Place in a serving bowl and add 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan. Boil enough salted water for 1 lb of penne, and chop 1 lb broccoli into small florets. When the water is boiling, add the penne. About 2 minutes before the penne is done, add 1/4 cup of pasta water to the pesto to loosen it up, and add the broccoli to the pasta water. When both the penne and broccoli are done, drain, put in the serving bowl with the sauce, and toss until everything is combined.
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:04 AM on June 29, 2021
Toast 1/2 cup of unsalted pepitas in the oven at 375 F for about 10 minutes, or until they start to brown. Combine the pepitas in a food processor with 1 1/2 cups (packed) of parsley leaves, 1 clove of garlic (sliced), 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and blitz until well ground. Slowly add 1/3 cup of olive oil with the food processor running, until fairly smooth. Place in a serving bowl and add 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan. Boil enough salted water for 1 lb of penne, and chop 1 lb broccoli into small florets. When the water is boiling, add the penne. About 2 minutes before the penne is done, add 1/4 cup of pasta water to the pesto to loosen it up, and add the broccoli to the pasta water. When both the penne and broccoli are done, drain, put in the serving bowl with the sauce, and toss until everything is combined.
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:04 AM on June 29, 2021
We like this lentil bolognese recipe (vegan). The recipe has instructions for either stovetop or slow cooker; both work great. I multiply the recipe by 1.5 to fill a five-quart slow cooker.
posted by Syllepsis at 10:14 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by Syllepsis at 10:14 AM on June 29, 2021
Major comfort food for me: egg noodles with cottage cheese stirred in once they're drained but still hot. My grandmother used to make it all the time. I've seen versions where you add onions cooked in butter until brown and maybe also mushrooms and top with a sprinkle of parsley or chives but I've always stuck with the simple.
Also simple but delicious: spaghetti aglio e olio.
And I just read Deb Perelman's recipe for Zucchini Butter Spaghetti and can't wait until the summer's glut of zucchini hits to try it.
posted by carrioncomfort at 10:18 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
Also simple but delicious: spaghetti aglio e olio.
And I just read Deb Perelman's recipe for Zucchini Butter Spaghetti and can't wait until the summer's glut of zucchini hits to try it.
posted by carrioncomfort at 10:18 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
Echoing the peanut sauce recommendation but adding my favored recipe. This doesn't require a blender, but it comes together a lot more smoothly if you combine all the ingredients but the lime and water, mix well, and add the lime and water last. I just had this for lunch with lo mein noodles and chopped cucumber, bell pepper, and carrot--a little bit of pasta water helps it all come together beautifully.
posted by dapati at 10:29 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by dapati at 10:29 AM on June 29, 2021
We make this basically weekly because it is easy AF and delicious and hearty. I'm vegan, so I go as far as the "add cheese" step and scoop some sauce out for myself, then add the cheese to my husband's portion. Using good canned tomatoes is key, but otherwise the recipe is hugely forgiving (as most pasta sauces are!).
Spaghetti alla Norma
posted by Dorinda at 10:32 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
Spaghetti alla Norma
posted by Dorinda at 10:32 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
I got a bunch of meyer lemons at one point and was looking for recipes and tried this lemon garlic pasta which I now like a LOT. Long recipe story at the link but here's the basics. Also it's vegan if you leave out the parmesan.
Ingredients
1 Head of Garlic, 10-15 cloves
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4-5 Tb Fresh Lemon Juice, 1 large or 2 small lemons
Lemon Zest
Pinch of Salt
1/8 tsp Red Pepper Flakes, or more if you like spicy
1/2 lb Angel Hair Pasta - cooked
Fresh Grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Place peeled garlic cloves in an oven safe dish, drizzle with olive oil and cover with foil. Oven roast at 400° for 30-40 minutes (until lightly golden browned). Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then chop.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Feel free to use a different type of pasta if you prefer.
- In a large sauté pan over medium/low heat - heat the olive oil and chopped garlic for 4-5 minutes while stirring.
- Add the lemon juice and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low - add the salt and red pepper flakes.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss with the lemon garlic sauce until fully coated.
- Transfer to serving dishes and top with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon zest, fresh grated parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (optional).
posted by jessamyn at 10:43 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
Ingredients
1 Head of Garlic, 10-15 cloves
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4-5 Tb Fresh Lemon Juice, 1 large or 2 small lemons
Lemon Zest
Pinch of Salt
1/8 tsp Red Pepper Flakes, or more if you like spicy
1/2 lb Angel Hair Pasta - cooked
Fresh Grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Place peeled garlic cloves in an oven safe dish, drizzle with olive oil and cover with foil. Oven roast at 400° for 30-40 minutes (until lightly golden browned). Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then chop.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Feel free to use a different type of pasta if you prefer.
- In a large sauté pan over medium/low heat - heat the olive oil and chopped garlic for 4-5 minutes while stirring.
- Add the lemon juice and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low - add the salt and red pepper flakes.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss with the lemon garlic sauce until fully coated.
- Transfer to serving dishes and top with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon zest, fresh grated parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (optional).
posted by jessamyn at 10:43 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
roast some red bell peppers over an open flame, once cool, skin and de-seed them. pop in food processor with olive oil, mint and garlic. sorry I do not have precise measures, this is something my husband made up. its really great on gnocchi!
posted by supermedusa at 11:02 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by supermedusa at 11:02 AM on June 29, 2021
This recipe for peas, leaks, mint, pistachios, and buttermilk with orecchiette may sound like an odd combination, but it's a delicious and light summery pasta dish with the right balance of acid and fat. Use half sugar snap peas and half shelled peas (frozen is fine). Don't panic if the buttermilk separates after you add it -- it'll come back together and everything will emulsify when you vigorously stir in some starchy pasta water and Parmigiano.
posted by theory at 11:04 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by theory at 11:04 AM on June 29, 2021
I heartily endorse this pea and mint pasta dish. I tend to add a bit more lemon than the dish calls for. I also really like pasta cacio e pepe, which scarcely requires a recipe but is delicious.
posted by reren at 11:34 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by reren at 11:34 AM on June 29, 2021
Swap out your tomatos for roasted red peppers and throw in some green chiles. Hold the herbs, maybe sprinkle in some paprika (although finishing with cilantro is great). Puree or just smash up. Add cream or don't. Add cheese or don't.
posted by Grandysaur at 11:41 AM on June 29, 2021
posted by Grandysaur at 11:41 AM on June 29, 2021
This is a recipe I had at a restaurant I once visited relatively often. I've looked for recipes on the internet, and it is kind of like pasta primavera, but it isn't. At that restaurant it was served with homemade tagliatelle, and I recommend that, but it is good with any long, flat pasta. This recipe is for two. There will be leftover veg, and at the end, I'll put in some suggestions for the next meal.
You need olive oil, a small onion or the equivalent amount of shallots, garlic to taste (but the restaurant only used a tiny bit), half a red bell pepper and half a zucchini. A few very ripe cherry tomatoes are optional, but only in season. A bit of dried chili flakes are also optional, but try it without them first. Salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Pecorino to taste.
First of all, set a pot of salted water over the heat to boil the pasta.
Now dice the vegetables finely. This is important. The alliums should be finely diced, the other vegetables into 5-7 mm cubes at the most. For the perfect version, toast the bell pepper over a gas burner or under the grill first, so you can remove the skin. It isn't strictly necessary. There is probably an essay out there about the difference different cuts of produce makes. I haven't read it, but it really does. Removing the skins of bell peppers and tomatoes is more of a texture thing than a taste thing, but lots of people have strong feelings about texture.
Now cook the vegetables very gently in olive oil. You can add them all at once or cook the alliums and peppers first and then add the zucchini and optional tomatoes. The first version is better, but only marginally. Keep tasting and seasoning as you go, with salt, pepper and lemon juice. If you want to use chili flakes, you have to cook them from the beginning, with the alliums. Avoid browning anything. When the vegetables are all soft and the onion bits are translucent, you can cook the pasta according to whatever it says on the package. Cook them al dente, because you want to finish them in the sauce. When the pasta is al dente, add a cup of the pasta water to the sauce, and bring it to higher heat, like a strong simmer. Put in the pasta, and bring it to a boil, while stirring vigorously till the water is mostly evaporated and the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.
Serve with freshly ground black pepper and pecorino.
I don't really like bell peppers much, and this seems to be too simple and cheap to be true, but since the first time I tasted it, this has been one of my favorite pasta recipes. It is made in less than 15 minutes, when you get the hang of it. You can use jarred bell peppers, which gives a slightly different flavor, but also good. Sometimes I add tiny carrot dice with the alliums, for extra veg and a bit of crunch. Sometimes a sprinkle of bacon can be good. Well, at the end of the day, you can improvise a lot from the basic recipe. But try the original first.
Now you have half a bell pepper and half a zucchini, if you were only two people. I will almost always use the rest of the bell pepper for Kung Pao Mushrooms, and the zucchini for a little tian which will be a side for something. Or lunch, with a burrata and a piece of crusty bread.
Another favorite pasta dish is penne with gorgonzola. While I cook the penne, I melt some gorgonzola dolce in a couple of tablespoons of cream. Then I add a cup of pasta water when I mix the creamy sauce with the al dente penne over relatively high heat. This needs a good green salad and fruit for desert if you have reasons to think of your health. And a glass of red wine, too.
A third recipe is even simpler: penne with grilled, marinated artichokes mixed with green peas (frozen are fine and sometimes better). The artichokes and peas are mixed cold on a pan, in the oil from the artichokes. When the penne are al dente, mix pasta water and penne with the vegetable over heat till you have a nice emulsifies sauce. Serve with pecorino. This also works nicely with a bit of chili in the vegetable mix, but don't overdo it.
All of these recipes are based on using the pasta water to make the creamy sauce. You may want to use less water while cooking to make sure that the water is starchy enough. That again means you have to give the pasta a couple of stirs during cooking.
posted by mumimor at 12:42 PM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
You need olive oil, a small onion or the equivalent amount of shallots, garlic to taste (but the restaurant only used a tiny bit), half a red bell pepper and half a zucchini. A few very ripe cherry tomatoes are optional, but only in season. A bit of dried chili flakes are also optional, but try it without them first. Salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Pecorino to taste.
First of all, set a pot of salted water over the heat to boil the pasta.
Now dice the vegetables finely. This is important. The alliums should be finely diced, the other vegetables into 5-7 mm cubes at the most. For the perfect version, toast the bell pepper over a gas burner or under the grill first, so you can remove the skin. It isn't strictly necessary. There is probably an essay out there about the difference different cuts of produce makes. I haven't read it, but it really does. Removing the skins of bell peppers and tomatoes is more of a texture thing than a taste thing, but lots of people have strong feelings about texture.
Now cook the vegetables very gently in olive oil. You can add them all at once or cook the alliums and peppers first and then add the zucchini and optional tomatoes. The first version is better, but only marginally. Keep tasting and seasoning as you go, with salt, pepper and lemon juice. If you want to use chili flakes, you have to cook them from the beginning, with the alliums. Avoid browning anything. When the vegetables are all soft and the onion bits are translucent, you can cook the pasta according to whatever it says on the package. Cook them al dente, because you want to finish them in the sauce. When the pasta is al dente, add a cup of the pasta water to the sauce, and bring it to higher heat, like a strong simmer. Put in the pasta, and bring it to a boil, while stirring vigorously till the water is mostly evaporated and the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.
Serve with freshly ground black pepper and pecorino.
I don't really like bell peppers much, and this seems to be too simple and cheap to be true, but since the first time I tasted it, this has been one of my favorite pasta recipes. It is made in less than 15 minutes, when you get the hang of it. You can use jarred bell peppers, which gives a slightly different flavor, but also good. Sometimes I add tiny carrot dice with the alliums, for extra veg and a bit of crunch. Sometimes a sprinkle of bacon can be good. Well, at the end of the day, you can improvise a lot from the basic recipe. But try the original first.
Now you have half a bell pepper and half a zucchini, if you were only two people. I will almost always use the rest of the bell pepper for Kung Pao Mushrooms, and the zucchini for a little tian which will be a side for something. Or lunch, with a burrata and a piece of crusty bread.
Another favorite pasta dish is penne with gorgonzola. While I cook the penne, I melt some gorgonzola dolce in a couple of tablespoons of cream. Then I add a cup of pasta water when I mix the creamy sauce with the al dente penne over relatively high heat. This needs a good green salad and fruit for desert if you have reasons to think of your health. And a glass of red wine, too.
A third recipe is even simpler: penne with grilled, marinated artichokes mixed with green peas (frozen are fine and sometimes better). The artichokes and peas are mixed cold on a pan, in the oil from the artichokes. When the penne are al dente, mix pasta water and penne with the vegetable over heat till you have a nice emulsifies sauce. Serve with pecorino. This also works nicely with a bit of chili in the vegetable mix, but don't overdo it.
All of these recipes are based on using the pasta water to make the creamy sauce. You may want to use less water while cooking to make sure that the water is starchy enough. That again means you have to give the pasta a couple of stirs during cooking.
posted by mumimor at 12:42 PM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
This is a slight twist on/addition to the sauce you already use: infuse good olive oil with fresh basil and garlic:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
8 cloves garlic, peeled and whole but slightly smashed
8-10 fresh basil stems+leaves (no need to pick them apart, just dump them in as-is)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes (or to taste/optional)
While your sauce is cooking:
1. Reserve some of the smaller basil leaves/sprigs for garnish.
2. Add the oil, garlic, rest of the basil, and pepper flakes to a wide saucepan over a cold burner, then set it to LOW heat. Warm the ingredients slowly to let them release their flavors into the oil. DO NOT let the garlic simmer or start browning!
3. Turn the heat off after 10-15 minutes, put a lid on the pan and let it steep for another 10.
4. Strain the oil into a small pitcher or bowl, smashing the basil and garlic softly with a spoon to get most of the oil out. Discard the spent solids.
Either add the flavored oil directly to the tomato sauce, or reserve and drizzle over the sauced and plated pasta servings. Garnish with small basil leaves/sprigs.
Another option is to double/triple/etc. (depending on # of servings) the above ingredients, add salt to taste, and use that alone as your pasta "sauce" along with generous amounts of finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:09 PM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
8 cloves garlic, peeled and whole but slightly smashed
8-10 fresh basil stems+leaves (no need to pick them apart, just dump them in as-is)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes (or to taste/optional)
While your sauce is cooking:
1. Reserve some of the smaller basil leaves/sprigs for garnish.
2. Add the oil, garlic, rest of the basil, and pepper flakes to a wide saucepan over a cold burner, then set it to LOW heat. Warm the ingredients slowly to let them release their flavors into the oil. DO NOT let the garlic simmer or start browning!
3. Turn the heat off after 10-15 minutes, put a lid on the pan and let it steep for another 10.
4. Strain the oil into a small pitcher or bowl, smashing the basil and garlic softly with a spoon to get most of the oil out. Discard the spent solids.
Either add the flavored oil directly to the tomato sauce, or reserve and drizzle over the sauced and plated pasta servings. Garnish with small basil leaves/sprigs.
Another option is to double/triple/etc. (depending on # of servings) the above ingredients, add salt to taste, and use that alone as your pasta "sauce" along with generous amounts of finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:09 PM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
I've made Isa Chandra Moskowitz's sunflower cheesy sauce a couple times recently. It's not at all like cheese, but it's pleasant on its own merits and has a good whack of veggies in there. My sunflower seeds remain a bit gritty and it's fine, it is much easier to clean out of a blender than pesto is.
posted by momus_window at 2:49 PM on June 29, 2021
posted by momus_window at 2:49 PM on June 29, 2021
Miso tahini sauce is incredibly easy, tastes divine, and pairs well with basically any savory pasta ingredient (sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, chickpeas, Beyond sausage, etc.). For a pound of dried pasta out of a box, I use 1/4 cup white miso paste, 1/4 cup tahini, a tablespoon of olive oil, and as much reserved pasta water as necessary to make the sauce whatever consistency I'm looking for. (I salt the ever-loving crap out of my pasta water so I don't add any additional salt anywhere.)
Another great and easy sauce: one can of coconut milk (I use full fat) and 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast. Mix and pour. SO good, SO easy.
posted by jesourie at 2:50 PM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
Another great and easy sauce: one can of coconut milk (I use full fat) and 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast. Mix and pour. SO good, SO easy.
posted by jesourie at 2:50 PM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
This jumping-off recipe from dersins has been part of my regular rotation for years. I use cauliflower; it takes a while to get it nicely browned but it's worth it. Use anchovy paste. Trader Joe's used to have a lemon-pepper pappardelle that was perfect for this but I guess it was discontinued.
posted by hydrophonic at 3:18 PM on June 29, 2021
posted by hydrophonic at 3:18 PM on June 29, 2021
Fry a pile of mushrooms, add cream/ricotta/whatever.
Boil up some squash or sweet potato until mushy and then blend until smooth (stick blender is fine here). Add the cream/ricotta/etc. Optionally add curry spices.
Caramelise a massive pile of onions (not really worth doing for a small pile). Freeze most of it, blend the rest with the cream/ricotta, optionally add cooked sausage.
If you've roasted a chicken, use the stock in a bechamel instead of water, put leftover chicken in there. Optionally start this one off by frying off diced veg like onion/carrot/celery.
All of these options require adding salt to taste or they are not nice. IMO.
posted by quacks like a duck at 12:44 AM on June 30, 2021
Boil up some squash or sweet potato until mushy and then blend until smooth (stick blender is fine here). Add the cream/ricotta/etc. Optionally add curry spices.
Caramelise a massive pile of onions (not really worth doing for a small pile). Freeze most of it, blend the rest with the cream/ricotta, optionally add cooked sausage.
If you've roasted a chicken, use the stock in a bechamel instead of water, put leftover chicken in there. Optionally start this one off by frying off diced veg like onion/carrot/celery.
All of these options require adding salt to taste or they are not nice. IMO.
posted by quacks like a duck at 12:44 AM on June 30, 2021
I absolutely adore this super easy Summer Garden Pasta from Ina Garten, which is not only delicious, but you don't need to heat up the kitchen cooking anything more than the angel hair pasta, which only takes a couple of minutes (and if you boil your water in an electric kettle first, you can cut the kitchen-heating properties of this preparation down to nearly zero). When I haven't had fresh basil, I've used dry (maybe 2-3 teaspoons? whatever feels right, which you'll have a sense of after making this once or twice). Still delicious.
The taste / enjoyment pay-off with respect to effort expended is tops! The only fiddly thing is that the sauce must marinate for ~4 hours, but I've let it sit for much longer (once even overnight+ in the fridge, then returned to room temp). Still delicious.
posted by taz at 4:58 AM on June 30, 2021
The taste / enjoyment pay-off with respect to effort expended is tops! The only fiddly thing is that the sauce must marinate for ~4 hours, but I've let it sit for much longer (once even overnight+ in the fridge, then returned to room temp). Still delicious.
posted by taz at 4:58 AM on June 30, 2021
This one does require a food processor or blender, but is so worth it! Butternut Squash Alfredo Sauce
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 6:52 AM on June 30, 2021
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 6:52 AM on June 30, 2021
It's typically eaten with crackers / bread / as a spread, but I regularly make ikra baklazhana as a pasta topping. It's dead simple--you don't even have to chop the eggplant--though it does require a long simmer time to reduce the eggplants into a silky-smooth sauce.
Excellent over any kind of pasta, and a good sponge for leftover veggies that you don't know what to do with. Spare carrot? Toss it in! Bunch of kale? Eh, why not.
The recipe is ridiculously good for the amount of effort you put into it (i.e. not much).
posted by lorddimwit at 11:58 AM on July 1, 2021
Excellent over any kind of pasta, and a good sponge for leftover veggies that you don't know what to do with. Spare carrot? Toss it in! Bunch of kale? Eh, why not.
The recipe is ridiculously good for the amount of effort you put into it (i.e. not much).
posted by lorddimwit at 11:58 AM on July 1, 2021
I make something like praemunire's rapini recipe, but I also add sautéed mushrooms, and at the end I stir in a couple of beaten eggs and mix everything together as a finale to marry the cheese to the noodles. I make this with fusilli (aka rotini). It isn't so much a sauce as an assemblage.
posted by zadcat at 2:57 PM on July 1, 2021
posted by zadcat at 2:57 PM on July 1, 2021
I’ve used this recipe, substituting better’n’bouillon for the chicken broth. Was just thinking about doing it again soon, it’s a good weeknight quick dinner. The schtick here is to purée the chickpeas to make a creamy sauce WITHOUT any cream. When I first started making it, I had a vegan housemate.
https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pasta-with-chickpeas-garlic-sauce
posted by notoriety public at 8:40 AM on July 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pasta-with-chickpeas-garlic-sauce
posted by notoriety public at 8:40 AM on July 2, 2021 [1 favorite]
When I make red sauce with meat, I use Italian sausage, which supplies fat , herbs, and spices, and let it simmer 1 - 2 hours so the sausage falls apart and is tender. I always add some wine for more sweetness and depth of flavor; you can use white or red. Fat adds body to the sauce, mouthfeel, taste, and if you don't use meat, add more fat. Aromatics - onion is my default, but shallots, celery, carrots are also good. Not all pasta sauces have to have garlic, but many benefit from it; it's an easy thing to change up.
Try different vegetables. Lots of mushrooms, with red sauce, or with some broth and wine, or with spinach; frozen is easy and tastes good. Butternut squash, cooked and blitzed with an immersion blender, with olive oil, and some herbs is really good; I don't eat dairy but sour cream, cream, or yogurt would be great. I've made a topping of sliced asparagus, olive oil, lemon. pretty much anything you like on pizza is great on pasta, with some assortment of cheese and/or red sauce.
One of my guilty pleasure meals is spaghetti with chili, either homemade, or takeout, or canned. i miss being bale to have cheese or sour cream on top.
posted by theora55 at 7:02 PM on July 3, 2021
Try different vegetables. Lots of mushrooms, with red sauce, or with some broth and wine, or with spinach; frozen is easy and tastes good. Butternut squash, cooked and blitzed with an immersion blender, with olive oil, and some herbs is really good; I don't eat dairy but sour cream, cream, or yogurt would be great. I've made a topping of sliced asparagus, olive oil, lemon. pretty much anything you like on pizza is great on pasta, with some assortment of cheese and/or red sauce.
One of my guilty pleasure meals is spaghetti with chili, either homemade, or takeout, or canned. i miss being bale to have cheese or sour cream on top.
posted by theora55 at 7:02 PM on July 3, 2021
Pesto alla Trapanese (Sicilian Pesto with Almonds and Tomatoes
Beer-Roasted Cauliflower with Pasta
Farfalle with a Creamy White Bean and Roasted Garlic Sauce
Creamy Mushroom Paprikash
Chez Panisse Eggplant, Caramelized Onion and Tomato Pasta
Red Pesto Spaghetti with Rocket and Haloumi
Pasta con Ceci
Homemade Tagliatelle with Black Garlic Eggplant Sauce
Peruvian Tallarines Verde
Maccheroni alla Chitarra di Farro con Pesto di Cavolo Nero
posted by zsh2v1 at 8:20 AM on July 5, 2021
Beer-Roasted Cauliflower with Pasta
Farfalle with a Creamy White Bean and Roasted Garlic Sauce
Creamy Mushroom Paprikash
Chez Panisse Eggplant, Caramelized Onion and Tomato Pasta
Red Pesto Spaghetti with Rocket and Haloumi
Pasta con Ceci
Homemade Tagliatelle with Black Garlic Eggplant Sauce
Peruvian Tallarines Verde
Maccheroni alla Chitarra di Farro con Pesto di Cavolo Nero
posted by zsh2v1 at 8:20 AM on July 5, 2021
Response by poster: Virtually all of these look great and I've acquired the ingredients for several. I am, however, here to tell you that the Smitten Kitchen butter zucchini is a deadly, deadly recipe if you like butter and zucchini. I made it tonight intending there to be enough leftovers for side servings for lunch tomorrow. Reader, I ate the leftovers instead of packing them away.
I made some alterations to the recipe - only 3 T of butter, about half the Parmesan and probably 1/4 tsp of black pepper due to a slip of the wrist while trying to add a gentle shake. (I admit, it was not freshly ground.) And it was still ineluctably delicious! Also I tore the basil rather than shredding it and used angel hair pasta instead of spaghetti.
Next time I make it, I'm going to increase the zucchini by about 25%, double the garlic and slice the basil.
For the record, I cooked the zucchini in a chef's pan sort of thing with rounded sides and a flat bottom, and I think this made it easier to use less butter and still avoid browning the zucchini since the zucchini was less thinly spread than in a wider pan. Anyway, I'm sure it's delicious with full butter and cheese but I'm kind of glad that I only had, like, 2T of butter for dinner tonight instead of 4.
posted by Frowner at 7:15 PM on July 8, 2021
I made some alterations to the recipe - only 3 T of butter, about half the Parmesan and probably 1/4 tsp of black pepper due to a slip of the wrist while trying to add a gentle shake. (I admit, it was not freshly ground.) And it was still ineluctably delicious! Also I tore the basil rather than shredding it and used angel hair pasta instead of spaghetti.
Next time I make it, I'm going to increase the zucchini by about 25%, double the garlic and slice the basil.
For the record, I cooked the zucchini in a chef's pan sort of thing with rounded sides and a flat bottom, and I think this made it easier to use less butter and still avoid browning the zucchini since the zucchini was less thinly spread than in a wider pan. Anyway, I'm sure it's delicious with full butter and cheese but I'm kind of glad that I only had, like, 2T of butter for dinner tonight instead of 4.
posted by Frowner at 7:15 PM on July 8, 2021
This zucchini spaghetti recipe was revealed on Stanley Tucci's Searching for Italy show on CNN, and I've been wanting to try it since. It looks slightly easier since there is no grating needed.
posted by hydra77 at 9:51 AM on July 9, 2021
posted by hydra77 at 9:51 AM on July 9, 2021
« Older Do I need to carry my actual vaccine card? | Using up (NOT freezing) lots of basil without lots... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Fuchsia Dunlop's Emergency Midnight Noodles
posted by bricoleur at 9:22 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]