Pasta con Zafferano

Pasta con Zafferano is a creamy and aromatic Italian dish that showcases the luxurious flavor of saffron, paired beautifully with al dente pasta. This vegetarian delight is perfect for a special occasion or a comforting meal at home.

Ingredients

• Pasta (e.g., fettuccine) - 160 grams
• Saffron threads - 0.1 grams
• Vegetable broth - 500 ml
• Heavy cream - 100 ml
• Parmesan cheese (grated) - 50 grams
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic (minced) - 2 cloves
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Fresh parsley (chopped) - for garnish

Steps

1. In a small bowl, soak the saffron threads in a couple of tablespoons of warm vegetable broth for about 10 minutes.
2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 100 ml of pasta cooking water before draining.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
4. Pour in the remaining vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the soaked saffron along with its liquid.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
7. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 75 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 50 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Saffron has antioxidant properties and may improve mood.
• Pasta provides a source of carbohydrates for energy.

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