Italian · Vegetable

Mary De Marco's White Pasta

Edward's grandmother. A platform, not a rule

Rating

Makes 4 servings Added by Rebecca Ingredients 8

"This basic recipe can be a platform for you to get creative." The pasta water is the magic ingredient. From his lockdown letter "Let's Empty the Fridge", April 2020.

Ingredients

Any dry pasta (3oz per person) , 3oz per person
1 cup ricotta
1 tbsp fresh ground black pepper
Salt
Pasta water (magic ingredient) , magic ingredient
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Grated Parmesan (as much as you like) , as much as you like
Chili flakes to taste

Method

Add the pasta to a pot of salted boiling water. In a bowl add the ricotta, parsley, black pepper and chili flakes.
When the pasta is al dente take two tablespoons of pasta water and add to the ricotta mixture then drain the pasta.
Add the pasta to the bowl and toss, garnish with grated cheese, fresh ground black pepper and more parsley.
Additions: oven roasted broccoli, cauliflower or eggplant; sundried tomato pesto; canned tuna, tomato puree and black olives; caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms. Add any of these to the bowl and then add the pasta. If you are having pasta more than once in a week, try a different combination.