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I had a hankering for homemade pasta so I made this spaghetti yesterday. It was meant to be a simple meal for two–only sun-dried tomatoes, guanciale and lots of garlic made up the sauce. Homemade pasta can almost stand on its own but the simple ingredients I added didn’t hurt either. Don’t keep yourself from making this with store-bought spaghetti. I’ve done it before and it’s just as tasty. Top it with herbs (I used fresh basil), add greens to it (my friend added some asparagus while it reheated), add a splash of wine or chicken stock and finish with grated Parmesan cheese. The options are limitless.Homemade Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Guanciale
Cook time
Total time
Homemade pasta is practically good enough to stand on its own but sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and guanciale don't hurt either.
Author: Lemons & Anchovies
Recipe type: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- Heaping ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, sliced
- A couple ounces guanciale (bacon or pancetta would work, too)
- A few tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- A handful fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- ¼ - ½ cup reserved pasta water or chicken stock
- 1 pound spaghetti, homemade or store-bought (homemade recipe here)
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Fresh pasta takes only a couple of minutes to cook so you can cook the same time as you start the sauce. If using store-bought, cook about 4-5 minutes ahead of time to finish around the time you finish the sauce. Reserve some of the pasta water.
- Heat up the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. I cooked the guanciale separately in a small skillet to make this vegetarian for my husband and just topped the plated dish with them but if this isn't a consideration for you, cook the guanciale in the skillet, too. You can use the rendered fat along with the olive oil to cook the sauce. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for a minute. Then add the garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to let them burn. Season with a little salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta and fresh basil and toss in the sauce. If it looks too dry for you, add a bit of the reserved pasta water (or chicken stock) and/or olive oil and toss again. Plate and garnish with additional basil leaves and Parmesan cheese.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I am so impressed by your impromptu dinner party, Jean! I don’t know if I’d feel comfortable with that either, but it looks like you handled everything beautifully! Plus you had this gorgeous pasta to play with :). Love this dish!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
You’re totally inspiring me to make homemade pasta now!
Ashley @thedrivencook says
I have never mastered homemade pasta, but I really appreciate your step-by-step photos because I would love to take a stab at it sometime soon. Your pasta recipe looks incredible and unique!
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
LOVE that you did an impromptu dinner party! Very proud of you!! I am sure your guests were in heaven with your delightful pasta and other goodies. Sometimes that non-planned events are simply the BEST. Loving the pasta photo – should be on the cover of a magazine! This pasta dish looks amazing!!!
Patty says
Sounds like a fun evening Jean! Often the spontaneous get togethers with friends are the best and don’t happen enough for all of us;-) Your pasta looks fab and love your entire pork cheek find-sounds like the dinner party was just meant to be;-)
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love parties like this. Much better than planned ones because everyone helps out and if anything flops it ain’t my fault. 🙂 Several times a year I do plan a pasta party where everyone comes with an idea of what they want to make and we all roll, chop and put together everything. One person does a salad, one is in charge of the pasta machine, one is in charge of the big pot of water and the rest are gofers. It’s great fun.
Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says
Mmmmm, guanciale! YES! My favourite! I got a pasta machine for Christmas. Can’t wait to try making my own homemade pasta as soon as our kitchen reno is over! I am swooning and drooling over this dish, because as you know, I love pasta!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Bravo to you! And what a fun evening, your pasta looks amazing!
Kankana says
Fresh and homemade is always the path to go! I wish for a pasta maker now.. seriously.
Natalie says
Really lovely photos, they are making me hungry. I like that you made your own pasta!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
you’re so courageous Jean! I don’t think I could say “let’s have a party at my place” without a month notice! oh boy, maybe after an entire bottle of wine!
I love homemade pasta and your friends were so lucky they got to try yours.
I love yours friend’ toast ” to many more!
suzanne Perazzini says
What a lovely dish and that sounds like a great spontaneous get together of friends – the best kind.
Suzanne says
Your pasta dish looks perfect, I need to make my own pasta sometime, you are inspiring me 🙂
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
Sounds like an incredible evening! So nice to have friends like that in your life.
Magic of Spice says
Wow, an impromptu party, I would need several glasses of wine 🙂 Your pasta looks perfect and the dish looks satisfying and full of flavor!