True Taste of Italy

Pesto Sauce is a uniquely flavored sauce that enhances any pasta meal.  The fresh aroma of the basil appeals to the senses and entices the appetite.  Compared to some of the other sauce recipes, pesto is extremely easy and quick to make.  Try pesto over pasta for you next family meal.

Ingredients for Pesto Sauce:

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup pine nuts
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• salt to taste
• 1 package fresh basil
• 1/2 cup grated parmigiano cheese

Directions for Pesto Sauce:

• Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until you have a creamy, smooth texture.
• Serve over pasta of choice such as spaghetti or other long pasta.

This Pesto Sauce recipe serves 4 to 6.

Pasta with Tuna (Pasta con Tonno)  is a very popular dish in Italy despite the odd combination of ingredients.  This recipe is very easy to prepare and we often enjoy it on Christmas Eve along many other delicious foods.

ngredients for Pasta with Tuna:

• 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled or crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 (6 ounce) can tuna fish, drained
• 4 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon rock salt
• 1 (16 ounce) box spaghetti pasta

Directions for Pasta with Tuna:

• Blend tomatoes until smooth.  In large pot, add olive oil and chopped onion.  Sauté onion until translucent.  Add tuna and 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
• Add tomatoes and basil leaves.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1½ hours.
• When sauce is ready, fill large pot with water and rock salt.  Bring water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
• Drain pasta and add desired amount of sauce.  Mix well and serve hot.

This Pasta with Tuna recipe serves 4 to 6.

Return from Pasta with Tuna recipe to other Pasta Recipes

Pasta Carbonara (Pasta with Egg and Bacon) is a very popular, tasty and easy-to-prepare Roman dish.  The origin of this traditional recipe is uncertain, but there are plenty of stories that attempt to explain its history.  Alla carbonara means “in the manner of the charcoal men.”  It is believed that either this dish was originally made for charcoal makers or made over a charcoal grill.  Some other stories suggest that this dish was made for the carbonari who were members of  a secret Italian society.  No matter what the true story is, the union of eggs, bacon, and pasta is pure genius.

Ingredients for Pasta Carbonara:

• 1 tablespoon rick salt
• 1 (16 ounce) box penne or rigatoni pasta
• 8-10 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup grated parmigiano cheese

Directions for Pasta Carbonara:

• Fill large pot with water and rock salt.  Bring water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
• Brown back pieces over medium heat in skillet until thoroughly cooked.  Drain excess fat and set aside.
• In medium bowl, whisk eggs, salt and pepper to taste.
• Drain pasta and return to pot.  Place pot over low heat.  Add egg mixture and mix well with large wooden spoon until eggs appear cooked.  Add backon, whipping cream and parmigiano cheese and continue to stir until they  mix.  Serve hot.

This Pasta Carbonara recipe serves 4 to 6.

Tip:  Be sure to only cook pasta until it is al dente because it will continue to cook a little bit longer with the carbonara sauce.

If you like a sauce with a little kick, then Spaghetti with Spicy Sauce (Spaghetti in Salsa Piccante) is the perfect recipe for you.  The spicy, red hot pepper sauce will wake up your senses and warm you up on a cold, winter’s night.

Ingredients for Spaghetti with Spicy Sauce:

• 3 whole dried red peppers
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 1 tablespoon rock salt
• 1 (16 ounce) box spaghetti
• 4 tablespoons parmigiano cheese

Directions for Spaghetti with Spicy Sauce:

• Wash and dry peppers, remove seeds and slice.  In blender, add pepper, garlic, and 1 1/3 cups water.  Blend until mixture is smooth.
• In medium skillet, heat half of pepper mixture.  Add olive oil, parsely, and salt.  Cook about 5 minutes.
• Fill large pan with water and rock salt.  Bring to boil, add other half of pepper mixture and cook spaghetti according to package directions.  Drain pasta, return to pan, add pepper mixture from blender and parmigiano cheese.  Serve immediately.

This Spaghetti with Spicy Sauce serves 4 to 6.

Fettucine with Spinach is a delicious dish that combines a classic Italian delicacy, prosciutto, with pasta and vegetables.  If you prefer to keep this dish vegetarian-friendly, simply omit the prosciutto from the recipe.  Either way, this dish will surely become a favorite.

Ingredients for Fettucine with Spinach:

• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons grated parmigiano cheese
• 4 slices prosciutto
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon rock salt
• 1 (16 ounce) box fettucine

Directions for Fettucine with Spinach:

• Wash and dry spinach and set aside.  In separate bowl, whisk eggs with salt and pepper to taste.  Add parmigiano and spinach into egg mixture and set aside.
• Slice prosciutto into thick strips.  In large, non-stick skillet, combine olive oil and prosciutto and cook over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes or until crunchy.
• Fill large pot with water and add rock salt.  Bring water to boil, add pasta and cook according to package directions.
• Remove 2 tablespoons boiling water and add to egg mixture.  Drain pasta and place in skillet with prosciutto.  Pour egg mixture over it and mix well.  Serve immediately.

This Fettucine with Spinach recipe serves 4 to 6.