Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this delightful Radiatore Pasta in Creamy Sauce. Tender radiatore pasta enveloped in a rich, dreamy cream sauce makes for a perfect cozy evening meal.
Ingredients
- Radiatore Pasta
- Heavy Cream
- Garlic
- Onion or Shallots
- Ground Beef (Optional Protein)
- Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese
- Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth
- Fresh Parsley
- Chives
- Thyme
- Olive Oil
- Butter
Instructions
- Get Your Prep On: First things first, gather and prepare all your ingredients. Finely mince your garlic and shallots (or onion). Grate your cheese. If you're using ground beef, have it ready.
- Cook the Radiatore: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your radiatore pasta and cook according to package directions until it's perfectly al dente. Before draining, make sure to reserve about 1 to 1½ cups of that starchy pasta water.
- Sauté Aromatics & Brown Beef: While the pasta is cooking, heat a tablespoon of olive oil and a knob of butter in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add your minced shallots (or onion) and cook gently until they soften and become translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Next, if you're using ground beef, add it to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it's nicely browned and any liquid has evaporated.
- Build the Sauce Base: Stir in your minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in about ½ cup of chicken or vegetable broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and let it simmer for a minute or two until slightly reduced.
- Create the Creamy Dream: Reduce the heat to low. Pour in your heavy cream. Stir gently and bring it to a very gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken.
- Stir in the Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat and gradually stir in your freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese until it's completely melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy. Taste and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Combine Pasta & Sauce: Add the drained, al dente radiatore directly into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together, making sure every single nook and cranny of the radiatore is coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water.
- Finish & Serve: Stir in your fresh chopped herbs, like parsley or chives. Give it one last taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately, perhaps with an extra sprinkle of cheese on top.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Don't waste that pasta water! It's starchy and helps emulsify the sauce. Always cook your pasta al dente, and use freshly grated cheese for the best texture and flavor.