Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your pasta game! The Akin Back Farms Pasta Blue is not just another recipe - it's a creamy, luxurious experience that transforms ordinary pasta into a gourmet masterpiece. Imagine a dish where rich, tangy blue cheese meets perfectly cooked pasta, topped with toasted walnuts that add an irresistible crunch. This recipe is about to become your new obsession, promising restaurant-quality flavor right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (your choice)
- 2 cups blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the 8 oz of pasta of your choice. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Allow it to heat for about 1 minute.
- Add the 2 cups of crumbled blue cheese to the pan, stirring gently to combine it with the olive oil. Allow the cheese to melt slowly, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Once the blue cheese has melted, pour in the 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Stir the mixture continuously until it becomes a smooth and creamy sauce. This should take an additional 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- After the pasta has finished cooking, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander. Do not rinse the pasta, as this will remove the starch that helps the sauce adhere.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the saucepan with the blue cheese sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- In a separate small skillet, toast the 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
- Once the pasta is well coated with the sauce, remove it from the heat. Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with the toasted walnuts on top for added crunch and flavor.
- Enjoy your Akin Back Farms Pasta Blue while it's warm, savoring the rich flavors of blue cheese and the crunch of walnuts!
Tips
- Choose Your Pasta Wisely: While this recipe works with various pasta types, we recommend using shorter pasta like penne or fusilli to help capture the creamy blue cheese sauce.
- Cheese Temperature Matters: Let your blue cheese sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking to ensure smoother melting.
- Pasta Water is Liquid Gold: Always reserve some pasta water before draining. Its starchy goodness helps create a silkier, more cohesive sauce.
- Toasting Nuts is Key: Watch your walnuts carefully when toasting - they can burn quickly. Remove from heat when they're golden and fragrant.
- Season Gradually: Add salt and pepper in small increments, tasting as you go. Blue cheese is already quite salty, so you'll need less additional seasoning than you might expect. Pro Tip: For an extra luxurious touch, garnish with fresh chives or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil just before serving!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 580kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 85mg
