Cellentani Pasta Salad with Saffron, Zucchini and Pecorino
Cellentani Pasta Salad with Saffron, Zucchini and Pecorino
A simple yet elevated Abruzzo-inspired pasta salad, perfect for easy summer meals and gatherings.
30 minutes total
- Basil
- Beginner
- Black Pepper
- Cheese
- Entrée
- Garlic
- Italian Heritage Month
- Lemon/Lemon Zest
- Short
- Short Pasta
- Summer and Pasta Salad Recipes
- Vegetarian
Inspired by Italy’s Abruzzo region, this Barilla Cellentani Pasta Salad combines fragrant saffron, sautéed zucchini and rich pecorino with perfectly al dente Barilla Cellentani pasta. Finished with lemon zest and fresh herbs, this elegant dish is silky, bright and perfect for warm-weather entertaining or an elevated everyday meal.
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Ingredients
Serves 4
| 1 box | Barilla Cellentani pasta |
| 0.5g | Abruzzo saffron threads |
| ¼ cup | Extra virgin olive oil |
| 2 | Medium zucchinis, thinly sliced into half moons |
| 3 | Garlic cloves, finely grated |
| ½ cup | Pecorino cheese, freshly grated |
| Zest of 1 lemon | |
| Juice of ½ lemon | |
| Freshly ground black pepper and salt | |
| Fresh mint and/or basil leaves |
Disclaimer
Individuals with allergies or specific dietary concerns should verify that the ingredients they utilize for the recipes comply with their restrictions.
Method
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Barilla Cellentani pasta until al dente - about 7 minutes.
Step 2
Reserve at least 1 cup of hot pasta water and pour it into a bowl with the saffron. Let it infuse for a few minutes until the water turns deep yellow.
Step 3
Heat the olive oil with the garlic clove in a pan. Sauté the zucchinis quickly so they remain crisp, then remove the garlic.
Step 4
Drain the pasta and let cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl and pour the saffron infusion over the pasta while still warm.
Step 5
Add the sautéed zucchinis, grated pecorino, lemon zest and juice.
Step 6
Toss gently so the cheese and infusion create a silky coating around the spirals.
Step 7
Serve it at room temperature or cool completely in the fridge.
Step 8
Garnish with fresh mint, basil, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper, and serve.
Cellentani
A delightful corkscrew-shaped pasta, Barilla Cellentani is as fun to look at as it is to eat. With its tubular centre and ridged surface, Cellentani is perfect for a hearty pasta meal, capturing every drop of your favourite sauce and trapping vegetables, meat or fish in every delicious forkful. Barilla Cellentani is also a favourite for cold pasta salads and casseroles.
- Shape Short en-ca
- Cook time 11 mins
- Pack size 340 g
- Range Classic Blue Box
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At the festival, these delicious recipes will bring people together in celebration of Italian heritage and flavour.