Imagine a pasta dish so light, fresh, and bursting with flavor that it transports you straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy with just one forkful! This Capellini Akka Checca is not just a recipe; it's a culinary love letter to simplicity and fresh ingredients. Perfect for those sweltering summer days when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen, this angel hair pasta will revolutionize your dinner routine and impress even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- While the water is heating, prepare the fresh tomato sauce. In a large serving bowl, combine diced ripe tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, and olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Gently mix the tomato mixture and let it sit at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld together. The natural juices from the tomatoes will create a light, fresh sauce.
- Once the water is boiling, add the angel hair pasta and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly, so watch it carefully to prevent overcooking.
- Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- Immediately transfer the hot pasta to the bowl with the fresh tomato mixture. Toss gently to coat the pasta with the sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if required.
- Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and serve immediately while the pasta is still hot.
Tips
- Choose Ripe Tomatoes: The success of this dish depends entirely on using perfectly ripe, flavorful tomatoes. Look for tomatoes that are deep red, slightly soft to the touch, and have a rich, sweet aroma.
- Work Quickly with Angel Hair: This delicate pasta cooks in mere minutes, so have all your ingredients prepared before you start boiling water. Overcooking will turn it mushy, so watch it like a hawk!
- Room Temperature Sauce Magic: Letting the tomato mixture sit at room temperature allows the flavors to mingle and intensify. The olive oil will help release the tomatoes' natural juices, creating a light, incredibly fresh sauce.
- Pasta Water is Your Friend: Always reserve a little pasta water. Its starchy goodness helps the sauce cling to the pasta and creates a silky texture.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed right after preparation. The heat of the pasta will slightly warm the fresh tomato sauce, releasing an incredible aroma of basil and garlic.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 64g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
