Make this effortless tomato and caper tagliatelle recipe for the ideal midnight meal, quick dinner or satisfying supper. Using just a few store cupboard ingredients, this is an Italian classic.
It was midnight when Giulia and I finished at a work event. We went back to her house for a nightcap with some friends from the office and, after a few too many drinks, there was only one thing everyone wanted - pasta.
Now, maybe it was because I was a little tipsy, but the tomato sauce Giulia made in the middle of the night for 10 people was one of the best things I've ever tasted.
As we sat on various surfaces in her kitchen, eating Sunny & Luna tagliatelle with a glass of wine, I felt we were truly living the Italian food dream. A family (of sorts) snuggled into a bustling kitchen, united by a simple, nourishing, delicious supper. I only regret I was too busy eating to take a picture.
I asked Giulia for the recipe and she gladly gave it to me. It's the perfect meal to make at midnight because all the ingredients will likely already be in your cupboard.
The perfect meal to make at midnight
Nowadays, I'll be craving midnight pasta before I even get home from the pub...
Tomato & Caper Tagliatelle
Ingredienti
Serves 4
1 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, finely sliced
1 small clove of garlic, crushed or grated
2 tsp capers
A few sprigs of basil (if you have it)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tin chopped tomatoes or passata (we love Mutti)
Salt & pepper
Sunny & Luna Cauliflower Tagliatelle
Buffalo mozzarella or parmasan to serve (if you fancy it)
Non è un problema
For a vegan version, substitute your favourite vegan cheeses
If you hate capers, leave them out and just season more generously with salt (but promise you'll try it with the capers just once)
Preparazione
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
Add onion and sauté for a around 4 minutes until they've softened and caramelised slightly.
Add the garlic and capers and fry for a few minutes until fragrant.
Squeeze in the tomato paste and add the basil, if you have it. Stir to combine and fry for 1 minute.
Add the tin of tomatoes or passata, season to taste and turn the heat to low, leaving the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a pan of salted water to a boil and add your tagliatelle. Cook for 3 minutes (al dente) as it will continue to cook a little in the sauce.
When the pasta is ready, transfer it to the sauce and gently stir together, using a bit of the pasta water to loosen if needed.
Serve into bowls and top with grated parmesan or mozzarella, as you like. La bonta delle cose semplici! (The goodness of simple things!)
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