Pasta alla genovese is a traditional Italian dish originating from the city of Genoa. It is a simple yet flavorful dish made with a few basic ingredients: pasta, pesto, potatoes, and green beans. The pesto, the star of this dish, is a vibrant green sauce made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. The combination of textures and flavors in this dish is truly remarkable, with the tender pasta, creamy pesto, soft potatoes, and crunchy green beans coming together in perfect harmony.
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PASTA ALLA GENOVESE
To many Neapolitans, the beef sauce La Genovese is at the heart of the city's cooking. Yet it's little more than onions (lots of them) and beef, simmered until both fall apart. Boiling the onions before cooking is a variation on traditional technique and could be considered a shortcut; it does save time, though not a whole lot of it. It's easy enough, and more traditional, to slice the onions raw and increase cooking time accordingly.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories pastas
Time 3h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the onions in the boiling water, and cook, covered, 15 minutes. Drain the onions, and let cool a bit, then slice very thinly.
- Heat half the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat; stir in the carrots, celery and bacon, and cook for 4 minutes. Add the beef, then cover with the onions. Pour the remaining oil over the onions, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover, bring to a simmer and cook gently until the beef is tender, about 2 hours; the onions will release a good deal of liquid.
- Uncover the pot and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring more frequently as the liquid reduces and lowering the heat as necessary to prevent scorching, until the meat has fallen apart and the sauce is creamy, about 45 minutes. Stir in the wine and taste, adding more wine if desired. Reduce the heat to low, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is glossy and quite thick, about 15 minutes more.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and toss with the sauce. Stir in Parmesan to taste, then serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 628, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 68 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 40 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 1110 milligrams, Sugar 13 grams, TransFat 0 grams
PASTA ALLA GENOVESE
My children wouldn't care if all I ever gave them was pasta with some bottled sauce poured over, and I don't deny that's sometimes indeed what they are given; but to please myself, and them, this is what I make when I get it together a little. Making this is hardly effortful; the potatoes cook in the pasta water - requiring a little extra time, nothing more - and the pinenutless pesto is whizzed up easily by the processor. For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
Provided by Nigella
Yield Serves: 6-8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Put the prepared potato chunks into a large saucepan with enough salted water to take the pasta later, and bring to the boil. Cook the potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes, then add the pasta. Check the packet cooking instructions, and at about 4 minutes before the end of the specified cooking time, add the green beans. If you are using artisanal egg linguine, which takes less time, you will need to alter your strategy. While this is bubbling away, whiz the ingredients for the pesto in a food processor. Before you drain the saucepan, remove and reserve about ½ cupful of the cooking liquid. Tip the drained potatoes, beans and pasta back into the dry pan. Add the pesto from the processor and enough cooking water to give a runny sauce that coats the strands of pasta as you work it through with a fork or pasta claw. Serve immediately.
SPAGHETTI GENOVESE
This vegetarian pasta dish is the perfect solution when you want something quick and tasty - and everything's cooked in one pan
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Lunch, Pasta, Supper, Vegetable
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Pour a kettle of boiling water into a very large pan until half full. Return to the boil, then add the potatoes and spaghetti, and a little salt. Cook for 10 minutes until the potatoes and pasta are almost tender. Tip in the green beans and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Drain well, reserving 4 tbsp of the cooking liquid. Return the potatoes, pasta and beans to the pan, then stir in the fresh pesto and reserved cooking liquid. Season to taste, divide between four serving plates and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 330 calories, Fat 23 grams fat, SaturatedFat 9 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 8 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Protein 23 grams protein, Sodium 0.5 milligram of sodium
RIGATONI ALLA GENOVESE
I have no idea why this amazingly flavorful Genovese-style meat sauce isn't way more popular than it is. It's quite simply one of the best pasta sauces you'll ever taste, thanks to a very slow cooking process, and massive amounts of onions.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 10h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook pancetta until most of fat is rendered out, about 6 minutes. Remove cooked pancetta with a slotted spoon and save.
- Raise heat to high and transfer meat to the pot. Season with salt. Cook and stir until liquid releases from beef and begins to evaporate, and meat browns, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-high. Add celery, carrots, reserved cooked pancetta, salt and pepper. Cook and stir about 5 minutes. Add a heaping tablespoon of tomato paste, bay leaf, and white wine. Cook and stir, scraping up the brownings from the bottom of the pan, 2 to 3 minutes. Add sliced onions. Reduce heat to medium. Cover pot and cook 30 minutes without stirring. After 30 minutes, stir onions and meat until well mixed. Cover again, and cook another 30 minutes. Stir.
- Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered 8 to 10 hours, stirring occasionally. Skim off fat as mixture cooks. If sauce seems to reduce too much, add water or broth as needed to maintain a sauce-like consistency. Cook until beef and onions seem to melt into each other.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until just barely al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain.
- Add rigatoni to the sauce and cook until heated through. Serve topped with a pinch of marjoram and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 891.2 calories, Carbohydrate 116.8 g, Cholesterol 79.9 mg, Fat 29.5 g, Fiber 10.1 g, Protein 38.9 g, SaturatedFat 10.3 g, Sodium 1022.2 mg, Sugar 19.2 g
PESTO ALLA GENOVESE
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the basil, salt, and pepper and process for a few seconds until the basil is chopped. Add the cheese, pine nuts, and garlic and, while the processor is running, add the oil in a thin, steady stream until a mostly smooth sauce is formed. Transfer pesto to a bowl and set aside. (Note: Pesto may be made 1 day in advance and kept, refrigerated, in an airtight container, until ready to use. If making in advance, be sure to cover the top of the pesto with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent the pesto from darkening. Pesto may also be frozen in the same manner in small quantities for use at a later date.)
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, according to package directions, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. In a large bowl, toss pasta with pesto. Add a little of the reserved cooking liquid if pasta seems to dry. Serve immediately.
PASTA ALLA GENOVESE
Steps:
- 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the onions in the boiling water, and cook, covered, 15 minutes. Drain the onions, and let cool a bit, then slice very thinly. 2. Heat half the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat; stir in the carrots, celery and bacon, and cook for 4 minutes. Add the beef, tomato paste and bay leaves, then cover with the onions. Pour the remaining oil over the onions, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover, bring to a simmer and cook gently until the beef is tender, about 2 hours; the onions will release a good deal of liquid. 3. Uncover the pot and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring more frequently as the liquid reduces and lowering the heat as necessary to prevent scorching, until the meat has fallen apart and the sauce is creamy, about 45 minutes. Stir in the wine and taste, adding more wine if desired. Reduce the heat to low, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is glossy and quite thick, about 15 minutes more. 4. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and toss with the sauce. Stir in Parmesan to taste, then serve.
TROFIE ALLA GENOVESE
Pesto pasta combined with potatoes and french green beans... hands down one of the tastiest vegetarian dishes I've ever had. Homemade trofie takes it to a whole other level, but I didn't feel like getting into all that here. Not quite authentic?-the lemon and vegetable stock are mine.
Provided by Brian Genest
Time 2h
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Start by making the pesto: Heat a dry pan over medium-low heat. Add pine nuts and roast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor.
- Add basil, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup olive oil, and garlic to the pine nuts; pulse until pesto is smooth. Add more olive oil if pesto is too thick. Season with salt and pepper and let rest for 1 hour.
- Prepare pasta: Bring vegetable stock to a boil in a large pot. Add haricots verts and boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer, add potato, and cook until both are fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Remove vegetables with a slotted spoon, leaving broth in the pot.
- Add trofie pasta to the broth and boil until tender yet firm to the bite, 7 to 8 minutes for dry pasta and 3 to 4 minutes for fresh. Drain.
- Combine potatoes, green beans, and pasta with the reserved pesto and toss together. Plate immediately with a wedge of lemon.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 470.2 calories, Carbohydrate 26.3 g, Cholesterol 8.8 mg, Fat 37.5 g, Fiber 5.6 g, Protein 10.7 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 437.2 mg, Sugar 2.2 g
PASTA ALLA GENOVESE
Steps:
- 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the onions in the boiling water and cook, covered, 15 minutes. Drain the onions and let cool a bit, then slice very thinly. 2. Heat half the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat, stir in the carrots, celery and bacon, and cook for 4 minutes. Add the beef, then cover with the onions. Pour the remaining oil over the onions, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp pepper. Cover, bring to a simmer and cook gently until the beef is tender, about 2 hours; the onions will release a good deal of liquid. 3. Uncover the pot and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring more frequently as the liquid reduces and lowering the heat as necessary to prevent scorching, until the meat has fallen apart and the sauce is creamy, about 45 minutes. Stir in the wine and taste, adding more wine if desired. Reduce the heat to low, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is glossy and quite thick, about 15 minutes more. 4. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and toss with the sauce. Stir in Parmesan to taste, then serve.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: This will make a big difference in the flavor of your pasta alla genovese. Look for fresh basil, pine nuts, and pecorino cheese.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions, or slightly al dente. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant.
- Use a large pot: You'll need a large pot to cook the pasta and the sauce. A Dutch oven is a good option.
- Sauté the onions and garlic gently: Don't let them brown, or they'll become bitter.
- Use a good quality pesto: You can make your own pesto, or use a store-bought brand that you trust. Look for a pesto that is made with fresh basil, pine nuts, and pecorino cheese.
- Add the pesto to the pasta at the end of cooking: This will prevent the pesto from becoming too oily or bitter.
- Garnish with fresh basil and grated pecorino cheese: This will add a pop of color and flavor to your pasta alla genovese.
Conclusion:
Pasta alla genovese is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its simple yet flavorful ingredients, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your home. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give pasta alla genovese a try. You won't be disappointed!
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