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The Best Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe

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4 from 6 reviews

Spaghetti Alla Nerano is a delicious Southern Italian pasta dish combining al dente spaghetti with golden fried zucchini, melted butter, garlic, Pecorino Romano cheese, and fresh basil. This recipe showcases the comforting flavors of sautéed zucchini and a creamy cheese sauce made with reserved pasta water, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Spaghetti

  • 8 oz spaghetti

Zucchini and Sauce

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 6 cups zucchini, sliced 1/8 inch thick
  • 1 1/2 cups reserved pasta water
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp garlic parsley salt
  • 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (plus more for garnish)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Boil Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  2. Toast Zucchini: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil on high in a large skillet. Fry the zucchini slices in batches without overcrowding until both sides are golden, about 3 minutes per side.
  3. Drain: Remove the fried zucchini and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  4. Make Sauce: Drain any remaining olive oil from the skillet. In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and stir to combine.
  5. Add Zucchini: Return the fried zucchini to the sauce, sprinkle with garlic parsley salt, and cook until the sauce slightly thickens and the zucchini softens further.
  6. Add Spaghetti Back: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with the remaining 1/2 cup of pasta water. Toss everything together thoroughly to incorporate the sauce.
  7. Add Cheese & Basil: Turn off the heat, then add the grated Pecorino Romano cheese and chopped fresh basil. Toss again to coat the pasta evenly, adding more pasta water as needed for a silky sauce. Garnish with additional cheese and basil if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use fresh zucchini and slice uniformly for even frying.
  • Reserve pasta water carefully as it is key to creating the sauce’s creamy texture.
  • Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure zucchini slices get nicely golden.
  • You can adjust the garlic parsley salt amount based on your salt preference.
  • Look for authentic Pecorino Romano cheese for the most authentic flavor.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/the-best-spaghetti-alla-nerano-recipe/