Valerie Bertinelli Pasta Recipes

LEMONY CACIO E PEPE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti al dente according to package directions. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water and drain.
• Add 4 tablespoons of the butter to a large, straight-sided pan and heat over medium. Once melted, add the pepper and toast for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Add in about 1 1/4 cups of the reserved pasta water and the lemon zest, bring to a light simmer. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the cooked spaghetti, Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Using tongs or two wooden spoons, toss the pasta and cheese together, incorporating about 1/2 additional cup more pasta water. Keep tossing the pasta until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is silky and coating the pasta, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and chives and toss to combine. Serve immediately, topped with extra Pecorino Romano and black pepper.

PASTA E FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Combine the onion, celery, carrot and oil in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices, bay leaf, rosemary sprig and 3 cups of the broth. Bring to simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and rosemary sprig. Add the remaining cup of broth and the pasta. Add the beans and simmer gently until the pasta is cooked through, about 12 minutes.
• Taste the soup and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with cheese.

HOMEMADE PICI PASTA WITH CARBONARA SAUCE

Steps:

• For the homemade pici pasta: Whisk the flour, semolina and salt together in a large bowl. Heat 1 cup water in a small saucepan to a simmer. Add the olive oil and just 2/3 cup of the water to the flours and mix to combine. If the dough still looks a little dry, add more water, a small splash at a time, until the dough comes together. Gather the dough into a ball and transfer to a work surface. Knead the dough until elastic and somewhat smooth, about 3 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour and up to 4.
• Lightly flour a work surface with semolina. Divide the dough in two and roll each piece out to be about 1/4-inch-thick or a little less. Cut all of the dough into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-wide ribbons. Working one ribbon at a time, use the palms of your hands to roll it into a tube shape, pressing firmly to thin it out slightly and make elongated, uneven, wormlike strands. Repeat with the remaining pasta ribbons, transferring the pici to a sheet tray and lightly dusting with semolina as you go.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the pici to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 4 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pici.
• For the carbonara sauce: Put the pancetta in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the pancetta is crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the pancetta to a paper-towel lined plate with a slotted spoon. Pour about 1 tablespoon of the rendered pancetta fat into a large bowl.
• Add the eggs, Parmesan, pecorino and a generous amount of pepper to the bowl with the fat and whisk to combine.
• Add the cooked pici to the bowl with the cheese and egg mixture, then add a splash of the cooking water and the pancetta and toss until creamy and well coated. Add a little more pasta water to loosen if desired.
• Add to a serving dish and top with parsley. Serve with additional Parmesan.

PASTA WITH BACON AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Hull the tomatoes and cut a shallow "x" through the skin on the bottom of each. Prepare an ice bath.
• Put the tomatoes in the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and submerge in the ice bath. Reserve the pot of boiling water. When the tomatoes are cool, use the back of a paring knife to peel the tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise and squeeze out and discard the seeds, then chop the tomatoes into approximately 1/2-inch pieces.
• Put the bacon in a large cold skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Discard all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the skillet.
• Add the onion to the drippings in the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soft and pale golden, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to break down, about 5 minutes.
• Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions in the reserved pot of tomato water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta. Add the pasta to the skillet with the sauce, along with 1/2 cup of the cooking water and toss to coat. Add more water if necessary for desired consistency. Stir in half the bacon and half the herbs and season with salt and pepper. Divide the pasta and sauce among bowls and top with the remaining bacon and herbs. Serve with Parmesan for topping.

PENNE ARRABBIATA RECIPE

Steps:

• Boil penne in plenty of water with salt and a teaspoon of oil till al dente, which means till just cooked. Drain and set aside to cool.
• Heat one and a half tablespoons of olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and sauté for half a minute. Add red chili flakes and onions and sauté till onions are translucent.
• Add the tomato puree, and chopped tomatoes and mix.
• Add salt and oregano and mix well. Cook for two to three minutes till the mixture gets a sauce consistency.
• Toss the penne pasta with the sauce evenly.
• Serve hot garnished with parsley.