Description
This Cheesy Orange Pasta is a delightful fusion dish combining the zesty freshness of orange with the creamy richness of cheddar and Parmesan. Perfectly cooked pasta is tossed in a luscious garlic, orange, and cream sauce, creating a unique and flavorful meal that’s both comforting and refreshing.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 250 g pasta of your choice (penne or farfalle work well)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium orange (zested and juiced)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 100 ml heavy cream
- 150 g cheddar cheese, grated
- 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
- Grated orange zest for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add Orange: Add the orange juice and zest to the skillet, stirring well to combine. Let it simmer gently for about 2 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Add Cream: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly, and allow the mixture to simmer for another 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Melt Cheeses: Gradually add the grated cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, stirring continuously until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season Sauce: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting according to your preference.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish: Transfer the Cheesy Orange Pasta to serving bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional orange zest if desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the delightful blend of citrusy and cheesy flavors at their best.
Notes
- Choosing penne or farfalle helps the sauce cling onto the pasta better.
- You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- For a more pronounced citrus flavor, use both the orange zest and juice as indicated.
- Be careful not to overheat the cheese in the sauce to prevent curdling.
- Fresh basil can be omitted or replaced with parsley if preferred.
- Reserved pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
