Pasta alla Portofino is a delicious and wholesome first course, easy to prepare. The sauce that defines it is the perfect marriage between the sweet and velvety Mutti Passata tomato purée and a fragrant fresh basil pesto.
4 people
1
First, prepare the pesto: In a tall and narrow container, combine the basil, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, the peeled garlic clove, and salt. Blend the ingredients with an immersion blender until you obtain a smooth cream, which will only take a few minutes. Once ready, set the pesto aside.
2
In a large pan, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, then add two garlic cloves with their skin on and let them brown for a minute.
3
Meanwhile, peel the onion and finely chop it, then add it to the pan and let it cook with the garlic until it softens.
4
Now add the tomato purée and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
Turn off the heat and add the previously prepared pesto, stirring to combine with the Passata tomato puree.
6
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for the time indicated on the package.
7
Once the pasta is ready, return the sauce to the heat, then drain the pasta directly into the pan, reserving some pasta water to help mix the sauce.
8
Serve the Pasta alla Portofino, garnished with a few basil leaves.
Pasta alla Portofino combines two of Italy’s most iconic ingredients: tomatoes and basil. It’s a true celebration of Italy, evoking its scents and colors! The sweetness and velvety texture of the Mutti Tomato purée perfectly complement the fragrant freshness of basil pesto, offering each bite a taste of an Italian summer along the stunning Ligurian coast.
While ready-made pesto is a great option when you’re short on time and want to get Pasta alla Portofino on the table quickly, making fresh basil pesto at home is easier than you might think. In just a few minutes of blending the basil with the other ingredients, you’ll have a homemade pesto with an amazing aroma and flavor! You can also customize your pesto by replacing pine nuts with almonds or walnuts, omitting garlic if desired, or adding some grated vegan cheese to keep it 100% plant-based.
