A simple and healthy vegetarian pasta dish featuring Metti Paccheri, a smaller version of the traditional Paccheri pasta. This dish is beloved in Naples, Campania, and is made with artichokes, Grana Padano PDO, and a touch of lemon for freshness. If you can’t find Paccheri, you can substitute with macaroni.
Ingredients
- Metti Paccheri (or macaroni): 320g
- Artichokes: 4
- Grana Padano PDO: 100g
- Lemon: 1
- Garlic clove: 1
- Extra virgin olive oil: to taste
- Salt and pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Artichokes: Clean the artichokes by removing any tough outer leaves. Cut them in half, then slice them thinly.
- Lemon Soak: Squeeze the juice of the lemon into a bowl and add the sliced artichokes. This will prevent them from browning and add a fresh citrusy flavor.
- Sauté the Artichokes: In a frying pan, heat some extra virgin olive oil and add the garlic. Once the garlic releases its fragrance, add the drained artichokes. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Metti Paccheri (or macaroni) according to package instructions. Once done, reserve about half a cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sautéed artichokes along with the reserved pasta water. Increase the heat to high for 1 minute, stirring to emulsify the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Finish the Dish: Turn off the heat and add the grated Grana Padano PDO to the pan. Toss everything together until the cheese melts into the sauce, creating a creamy coating for the pasta.
