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Pasta with Parmesan Cream
The key to this rich, simple pasta dish is starting with a good-quality chunk of true Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano). Domestic Parmesan or even real Parmesan that’s pre-grated will not yield the right flavor and consistency. We simmer a piece of Parmesan rind into the cream for added flavor and umami; some supermarkets and cheese shops sell just rinds, or simply cut the rind off your chunk of Parmesan.
4 to 6
Servings
Tip
Don’t use domestic Parmesan or even true Parmesan that’s pre-grated. Neither will yield the correct flavor and consistency.
25 minutes
Ingredients
-
2½
cups heavy cream
-
2
inch Parmesan rind, plus 6 ounces Parmesan cheese, finely grated (3 cups)
Directions
-
01In a medium saucepan over medium, combine the cream, Parmesan rind and bay. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as needed, until slightly thickened and reduced to 2 cups, 10 to 15 minutes.
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February 9, 2023
Very good!
Followed the recipe, but reduced the lemon juice to 1 tablespoon. Perfection! This is a perfect weeknight meal, easy, quick and satisfying. Just add a salad and you have a great dinner.
July 16, 2022
Great Easy side pasta dish
Great recipe but a little too rich. Wife thought I used too much lemon juice but I followed the recipe, she thought to cut it in half. I did not use all of the finished sauce since it seemed a lot of sauce.
December 26, 2023
Love this way of making sauce!
I usually don't have fresh lemons, so I don't add the lemon juice. But I do add some chives. And best of all, because I'm an Alaskan, I add smoked salmon that I've flaked into the sauce. Absolutely perfect!
Made it exactly as directed and it was delicious, not to mention EASY. Had a Caesar salad along side and it was a perfect dinner. It would also be great with a lovely piece of grilled chicken or some sautéed shrimp. Also, just two of us so I made the whole cream sauce recipe but only half the pasta. Will freeze the remaining sauce for another day.
I made it last night and was overwhelmingly disappointed. I don't know if it was the bay leaves or the imported Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (that I spent a boatload of $$ on for a wedge large enough to yield 3 cups...), but the sauce had a bitter taste that could not be improved. I had used only half the sauce because I made smaller amount of pasta, so I poured 1/2 cup into a bowl to see what I could do... but even the addition of more lemon juice and pepper did not help this sauce. It looked pretty on the plate, but that's the only positive I got from this recipe.
I thought that this was one of the best pasta recipes I've tried! I also bought a 6 oz. hunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and it was well worth it. Made it exactly as written, but I halved the recipe for 2 people. My wife also thought it was delicious ("Save that recipe!"). Best of all, it was easy to make. Thanks again, Diane & Milk Street team!
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Quite delicious. Add some sauteed red and yellow bell peppers since I had too many. Yummy. Love the lemon. I seasoned it with urfa pepper.