If you’re searching for an irresistibly festive centerpiece for your next holiday gathering, let me introduce you to the whimsical world of Candy Cane Pasta. This playful yet utterly delicious dish is a showstopper with its iconic red-and-white stripes and surprising burst of peppermint creaminess. Imagine twirling your fork through tender strands of pasta adorned in velvety sauce, each bite sprinkled with sweet crushed candy canes — it’s guaranteed to delight kids and grown-ups alike, and transforms a simple dinner into instant holiday magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Candy Cane Pasta is how it transforms everyday staples into a joyful masterpiece. Each ingredient, from the Parmesan to a little peppermint extract, plays a crucial role in layering flavor, richness, and of course, those vibrant signature stripes. Here’s what you’ll need and why every piece matters:
- Fettuccine or linguine (12 ounces): The perfect pasta for soaking up that creamy, festive sauce and showcasing the two-tone look.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds subtle fruitiness and helps the garlic bloom without burning.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Brings depth and aromatic warmth, balancing the sweetness of the peppermint.
- Heavy cream (1 cup): The foundation for a lusciously smooth, luxurious sauce.
- Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened): Adds body and a slight tang, making the sauce extra creamy and stable for coloring.
- Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, grated): Delivers a nutty, salty edge that keeps the pasta savory.
- Red gel food coloring: Just a few drops create that iconic holiday stripe. Try beet powder for a natural option!
- Peppermint extract (1/2 teaspoon): Just a touch creates that unmistakable, cheerful minty aroma.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning and drawing out all the nuanced flavors.
- Crushed candy canes (for garnish): The crowning jewel — a sweet and crunchy bite on top.
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional for garnish): Lends fresh color and a herbaceous lift to each plate.
How to Make Candy Cane Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Begin your Candy Cane Pasta journey by boiling your chosen noodles in well-salted water until they’re perfectly al dente. Remember, you want the pasta to hold its shape — especially when those vibrant red and white stripes come together. Drain thoroughly and set aside, but don’t rinse; the sauce will cling beautifully if you leave that starchy goodness intact.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic in Olive Oil
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet set over medium. Toss in the minced garlic and gently sauté for a minute or two, just until it turns fragrant and starts to sizzle (but not brown). This step is where the magic begins, as the base oil collects all that garlicky aroma.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
Pour heavy cream into your skillet along with the softened cream cheese. Stir slowly; as everything warms, the cream cheese will melt, transforming the mixture into an irresistibly silky, rich sauce. Add the Parmesan cheese now, too, stirring until it melds into the mixture. You’ll want the sauce to be completely smooth before moving on.
Step 4: Add the Peppermint and Seasonings
Now’s the time for that signature twist: add the peppermint extract, giving the sauce a gentle whiff that channels the spirit of the holidays. Taste, then season with salt and black pepper to balance the sweetness perfectly. Don’t skip a little taste test to make sure everything’s in harmony!
Step 5: Create Red and White Sauces
Pour half the finished sauce into a secondary bowl. To one batch, add several drops of red gel food coloring (or beet powder for a natural version), and mix until you get a vibrant candy cane pink or red. Leave the other half creamy and white. This is where your Candy Cane Pasta really starts to look like a holiday treat!
Step 6: Toss Pasta and Plate
Divide your drained pasta evenly into two bowls. Gently toss one half in the red sauce, and the other in the white, ensuring every strand gets coated. Then, using tongs, alternate twirls of red and white pasta on each plate to create that signature candy cane effect. Don’t stress about perfect stripes — part of the charm is the playful jumble of color!
How to Serve Candy Cane Pasta
Garnishes
Serving time is when the fun really kicks in. Sprinkle crushed candy canes right over the top for sparkle and crunch — this is the wow moment kids love. For a fresh finish, add a few bright green basil or parsley leaves, which pop against the candy cane stripes and offer a fragrant, herbaceous contrast.
Side Dishes
Candy Cane Pasta is rich and creamy, so it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette, or some roasted winter vegetables. Warm, crusty bread or garlicky breadsticks are a great addition for scooping up the last bits of sauce, ensuring every morsel is devoured.
Creative Ways to Present
Bring even more holiday cheer by twirling the pasta into little nests and plating them side by side, or serve family-style on a big platter with extra crushed candy canes at the table for everyone to sprinkle themselves. For a dinner party, you could even serve miniature portions in clear glasses for a candy shop-inspired starter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra Candy Cane Pasta, let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The peppermint flavor holds up quite well, and the sauce might even get thicker and more luxurious overnight.
Freezing
While technically you can freeze Candy Cane Pasta, cream-based sauces can sometimes separate upon thawing. For best results, freeze the sauce and noodles separately if possible, and add the peppermint extract after reheating. Store in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 1 month.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or cream, stirring often until smooth and steamy. Microwaving in short bursts also works, but watch carefully to avoid overheating. Always sprinkle on fresh crushed candy canes just before serving for the best texture!
FAQs
Can I make Candy Cane Pasta without food coloring?
Absolutely! If you’re looking for a natural red hue, try using beet powder. It adds vibrant color with minimal flavor, keeping the stripes festive and chemical-free.
Is it possible to make this dish vegan?
You can, with a few swaps! Use plant-based cream, dairy-free cream cheese, and vegan Parmesan. Seek out egg-free pasta, and the result will still be fun, creamy, and festive.
Will the peppermint flavor be overwhelming?
Not at all — the measured amount of peppermint extract offers a gentle, refreshing note, balanced by the creamy richness and salty Parmesan. If you’re unsure, start with a drop less and taste as you go.
Can I add protein to Candy Cane Pasta?
Of course! Sliced grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp make wonderful additions and will turn your festive pasta into a hearty main course.
What’s the best way to crush the candy canes?
Place candy canes in a zip-top bag and smash them gently with a rolling pin or heavy pan. This creates a perfect mix of fine and chunky pieces for maximum sparkle and crunch as a garnish.
Final Thoughts
Whipping up a batch of Candy Cane Pasta feels like throwing a holiday party right on your plate. It’s a playful tradition in my kitchen, and I can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to add a sparkly, joyful twist to dinnertime. I hope you have as much fun making (and eating!) this recipe as I do — let your imagination run wild, and happy cooking!
Print
Candy Cane Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a festive twist on classic pasta with this delightful Candy Cane Pasta recipe. Creamy, savory, and subtly sweet with a hint of peppermint, it’s a perfect dish for holiday gatherings or themed dinners. The red and white hues create a visually appealing presentation that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- red gel food coloring
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- crushed candy canes
- fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Sauté garlic in olive oil, add cream and cream cheese, melt in Parmesan, season, and divide into two bowls.
- Add Color and Flavor: Stir red food coloring and peppermint extract into one bowl of sauce.
- Coat the Pasta: Toss each half of the cooked pasta in the respective sauces.
- Plate: Alternate red and white pasta on plates to create a candy cane effect.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with crushed candy canes, add herbs if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use red beet powder as a natural food coloring alternative.
- This dish is best served fresh for optimal flavors.
- Enhance protein content by adding cooked chicken or shrimp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
