Tuscan Pasta

A quick, easy, and comforting pasta dish you’re sure to love! It was a chilly and rainy Saturday in May and I wanted a big bowl of comforting pasta with a nice big glass of vino. I headed out to the local grocery store and started thinking about what I was going to make. I knew I wanted a creamy pasta dish rather than a saucy one.  I grabbed all the ingredients I thought that would work together and once I got in the car I started imagining what I was going to make. Once I got home my husband asked what was for dinner. I simply said ” Some type of pasta dish. I’m just gonna throw all these ingredients in the pan and hope it turns out!” Oh goodness did it turn out! It was everything I wanted that day and more!

1 Package Fresh Linguine

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Bunch Lacinato Kale, cleaned, trimmed, and roughly chopped

¼ Cup Sundried Tomatoes, julienned

1 Clove Garlic, minced

4 Oz Pancetta, chopped

1/2  Cup Dry White Wine

½ Cup Heavy Cream

1 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

Pinch Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Juice of Half a Lemon

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

In a large pot boil water and add generous amount of salt ( It should taste like the sea)

In a large saute pan add heat olive oil on medium heat

Add Pancetta and cook for 3 minutes

Add chopped Kale and saute until slightly wilted

Add Sundried Tomatoes and Garlic

Cook mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

At this time you want to add your pasta to your boiling water(Because it’s fresh it only takes a couple of minutes to cook)

Carefully add White Wine and reduce until half is evaporated

Stir in Heavy Cream and cook until just bubbling

Remove from heat and add Parmesan, Salt, Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper, and Lemon Juice

Stir until combined

Carefully add the cooked pasta to the sauce (It’s okay if some of the pasta water gets in the sauce, it helps the pasta stick to the sauce; just be sure to taste and season accordingly)

**Note: Be cautious when adding Salt because the Pancetta and the Parmesan Cheese are relatively salty**