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
Scale
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
