Stanley Tucci Hails This Easy Dinner as the ‘Perfect Winter Recipe’
Stanley Tucci recently shared a delightful recipe for a hearty lentil pasta, which he described as the ‘perfect winter recipe.’ This dish is not only simple to prepare but also budget-friendly, making it ideal for chilly days.
Ingredients for Tucci’s Lentil Pasta
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Thick spaghetti (spaghetti grossi)
- Lentils (two big handfuls)
- Fresh basil
- Salt
- Tomato sauce (homemade marinara or jarred)
- Optional: Bay leaf, Parmesan or Romano cheese
Preparation Steps
In an Instagram reel, Tucci walked his followers through the cooking process. He begins by heating a generous amount of extra-virgin olive oil in a pot. He then adds chopped carrots, celery, onion, and garlic, allowing them to simmer.
Breaking Down the Pasta
A creative technique is used to break traditional spaghetti into smaller pieces. Tucci wraps a half pound of thick spaghetti in a towel and rolls it, helping to fragment the noodles. This traditional method enhances the dish’s texture when combined with lentils.
Cooking the Lentils
Once the vegetables have cooked down, Tucci adds lentils and enough water to cover them. He suggests seasoning with fresh basil, salt, and a homemade tomato sauce. For those with jarred sauce on hand, this can be used instead of fresh tomatoes.
Final Assembly
The mixture cooks for about 20 minutes. If the lentils absorb the water quickly, Tucci advises adding more to maintain a slight al dente texture. The pasta should be cooked separately to avoid excess soaking of the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
To finish the dish, Tucci recommends adding a drizzle of olive oil to the cooked pasta to prevent it from sticking. He then pours the vibrant lentil-tomato sauce over the pasta. For extra flavor, parmesan or romano cheese can be added as a topping.
Tucci’s lentil pasta recipe offers an inviting combination of vegetables and lentils, providing both taste and health benefits. This comforting dish is a perfect addition to winter meals, embodying warmth and satisfaction.
