DIY pasta may sound like a faff, but it’s easier to make than you think. Follow our step-by-step tagliatelle recipe, then choose from the trio of delicious sauces for an authentic Italian meal nonna would be proud of…
How To Make Ravioli
It’s easy to turn your pasta sheets into little pockets of goodness
Lay strips of thinly rolled pasta on a floured work surface. Cut out discs using an unflutted cutter (about 6cm).
- Make a flling by mixing together ricotta, lemon zest and chopped fresh parsley or chives, then season with black pepper
- Spoon 1tsp of the filling on to the center of half of the pasta discs, then dab a little cold water around the edge.
- Top with the remaining discs, pressing down to snugly enclose the filling, then seal the edges
- Cook the ravioli in a large pan of boiling water for 5–6 min.
Three Simple Pasta Sauces
You’ve made your pasta, now choose your sauce…
1. How to Make Easy Tomato
Heat 1tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a large pan, then add 1 finely chopped white onion, 1 finely chopped celery stick and 2 chopped garlic cloves.
Fry gently for 10 min or until very soft.
Add 500g chopped tomatoes and 2tsp dried oregano.
Cook for 5min or until the tomatoes breakdown.
Cook the tagliatelle as in step 8 of the master recipe, then drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.
Add a splash of pasta water to the sauce to loosen, then toss through drained tagliatelle.
LOW CAL V VEG LOW SATS DAIRY FREE LOW SUGAR 2 (5-A-DAY) LOW SALT
TIP
Of course they’re biased, but Italian chefs believe Italian grown tomatoes have a superior favor because they’re grown in volcanic soil.
This is also the case for tinned varieties – the Cirio brand is one of our favorites.
2. How To Make Creamy broccoli with Pasta
Spray a large pan with oil, add 1 finely chopped onion and cook for 5 min.
Add 1 head broccoli (roughly chop the florets and thinly slice the stalk) with 4tbsp water, then cover and cook for 5 min or until the broccoli is just tender.
Add a good grating fresh nutmeg and a handful fresh basil leaves.
Take off the heat.
Cook the tagliatelle as in step 8 of the master recipe, then drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.
Whiz the sauce with a stick blender until smooth, then stir through 100g lightest soft cheese and a splash of pasta water.
Warm gently, then toss with the drained tagliatelle and 3tbsp finely grated parmesan (see tip).
LOW SATS LOW SUGAR HIGH CALCIUM 1 (5-A-DAY) LOW SALT
3. How To Make Spicy puttanesca
Empty a 50g tin anchovies in extra-virgin olive oil into a large pan (with the oil).
Add 3 chopped garlic cloves and 1 chopped red chilli and fry gently for 3–4 min until the anchovies break down.
Add 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes, 30g sliced black olives and 2tbsp chopped capers in brine. Simmer for 10 min.
Cook the tagliatelle as in step 8 of the master recipe, then drain.
Stir 1 small bunch chopped fresh basil and the zest 1 lemon through the sauce, then toss through the pasta.