When talking about comfort food, one of the first things that usually come to mind is a good old bowlful of cheesy, creamy pasta.
And it’s no surprise, as some pasta recipes are not only quick and easy to prepare but also incredibly warming and flavourful, making them perfect for midweek family dinners.
That is the case of Jamie Oliver’s “oozy” cheesy pasta, which is ready in just 30 minutes and adds a delicious pangritata topping as the element of surprise.
Serving four, this dish from the chef’s Jamie’s Festive Feast is not only quick to throw together, but also very handy when dealing with leftovers from a cheeseboard or the holidays.
Writing about the recipe on his official website, Jamie said: “A comforting, delicious dinner, which you can bosh together without too much hassle.”
Ingredients
sea salt
Three heaped tablespoons mascarpone cheese or crème fraîche
100g mixed leftover cheese
250g dried taglierini
extra virgin olive oil
For the pangritata:
Two slices of sourdough bread
One clove of garlic
One sprig of fresh rosemary, thyme or marjoram, leaves picked
Five shelled walnuts
olive oil
Method
To prepare the pangritata, start by lightly toasting some sourdough bread. Next, peel the garlic and combine it in a food processor with the toasted bread and walnuts. Add the herb leaves and blend until finely chopped.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil. Once hot, add the pangritata and sauté for about five minutes, or until it turns golden and crispy.
In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then lower the heat and place a large heatproof bowl on top.
Add the mascarpone or crème fraîche, along with any leftover cheeses, crumbling or grating the harder ones first. Stir until everything is melted together.
Once melted, carefully remove the bowl from the heat and set it aside. Increase the heat again until the water is boiling, then cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
After draining the pasta, reserve a cup of the cooking water.
Add the pasta to the bowl with the melted cheese, tossing to combine and adding a bit of the reserved water to achieve the desired consistency.
Finally, transfer the pasta to a serving dish, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle the crispy pangritata on top, and serve immediately.
