When I saw that Deb had cooked up some fun, simple pasta with Giada...I knew that I was going to invite her back into my kitchen this week to do more of the same. I mean, this one would be impossible to mess up, right? No lemon zest combined with hard boiled eggs. No super sweet, uncooked frosting. Even Teeth couldn't put an outrageous as in gross spin on tiny, little star-shaped pasta, could she? The integrity and pure comfort factor of warm pasta tossed with soft butter and wisps of freshly grated Parmesan remains intact. Although I think everybody in the house prefers a "bigger" noodle of sorts {quick, double eyebrow raise}, it's always fun to break away from the norm and eat cute little pastas in various shapes...it brings out the kid in the adults...and can't fail to touch your heart. Giada and I seem to get along best when we stick to basics like pasta and polenta...and booze . I guess we were both winners this week.
Little Stars with Butter and Parmesan
by Giada De Laurentiis1 c. (~6 oz) Stelline (little star-shaped pasta) or other small pasta shapes
4 Tbs. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
~2 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temp
sea salt
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente, stirring now and again to prevent pasta from sticking together, ~8 minutes, then drain.
Toss hot pasta with butter and Parmesan, then add salt to taste. I served with a bit of chopped parsley, for color.
*This post is linked to:
Presto Pasta Nights is being hosted by Rachel of The Crispy Cook this week!
*Be sure to enter my Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook & Cookie Gift Pack Giveaway by TODAY AT 6pm (Sunday Dec. 5)...it's good stuff...keep it or check someone off your holiday shopping list!*
I've never cooked star shaped pasta...there are no little tots around here. Glad you and Giada are getting along again.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that kids would love this dish (fun shapes and a simple sauce) and I know that some adults around here would love it too! Thank you so much for sharing. Have a beautiful Sunday!
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with that pasta, but I know this must be good! I finally got around to putting up a dedicated blogroll link page, and I'm building my links back so I snagged your pretty new button for it! Have a great Sunday.
ReplyDeleteHard to beat such a classic!
ReplyDeleteNever seen such beautiful shape pasta. Not only kids, I like them, too :D
ReplyDeleteHa! The first photo looks like popcorn! I like Giada's simple pasta dishes like this too. My daughter wanted to make her pastina (mini bowtie) with cream cheese (she used cr cheese and mascarpone)peas and carrots. Simple and good! and kid friendly comfort. My daughter would love this!!!
ReplyDeleteHer Tuscan white bean soup is simple and delicious too, there are a few out there. We'll talk! Lol!
I'm glad you and Giada got along this week Heather. :o) I always think of chicken soup when I think of little stars, I never would have thought of using them for a pasta dish. This looks simple and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing with Cookbook Sundays!
ReplyDeleteThis is my childhood pasta comfort food and it still works. Don't need kids to enjoy the simple, creamy buttery-cheese laden dish!
ReplyDeleteI must find this star-shaped pasta! I always enjoy pasta tossed with butter and cheese or just simply olive oil. Thanks for sharing, girl!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't everyone get along better with basics and booze?!
ReplyDeleteGlad this worked for you!
I love the simplicity of this! As a kid I would inhale pasta with parmesan and butter. Time to go and revist that comfort food. And I love the tiny pasta - neat idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you and Giada found SOMETHING you could agree on! But you're right...can't go wrong with a deliciously simple pastina!
ReplyDeletethis would disappear in seconds at our house, we love stuff like this! total win!
ReplyDeletedelicious dish looks yummy
ReplyDeleteWhat an elegant dish. So simple, so comforting. Thanks for sending a plate over to Presto Pasta Nights this week!
ReplyDeleteJust sent you a hilarious email. I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it!
ReplyDeleteYep, you can't go wrong with this one. A big old bowl of pasta with butter and cheese....perfect comfort food. It's funny though. I love the little pastina, but my daughter says it's too little and tells me that it gets on her nerves (nothing like a 9year old drama queen). The funny thing is that she's a total pasta eating machine. I've never known her to complain about any pasta before until the pastina came along. Wonder if a lot of people feel that way? Must be why I was able to get it for 39cents a box on sale awhile back.
Looks good and simple. Sometimes we just need the first part, and the second part is a bonus! The great thing is, this goes with just about everything! Kind of like the food version of a little black dress.....
ReplyDeletei wouldn't mind nibbling these little bits of pasta. definitely brings good memories and brings out the kid in you... we all need a dish like this, especially in times like this activity packed holidays!
ReplyDeleteMy little princess will love this one. She is a voracious pasta eater. I usually make it with the red sauce..this will be a nice variation!
ReplyDeleteUS Masala
Glad you liked this simple dish. Overall I prefer the larger pasta too--but this was fun for a change and a trip back to childhood. ;-)
ReplyDeleteNever really been into Giada but little stars with parmesan I could really get into. Perfect comfort food!
ReplyDeleteLove it...quick with classic flavors.
ReplyDeleteI used to make dishes like this for my younger son, he never liked pasta sauce when he was little so he wanted "a regular sauce" and this was his idea of that sauce :)
The simplest yet delicious pasta recipe. Love those cute pastas :)
ReplyDeleteThose are the cutest little noodles, I am definitely on the hunt for them! This would be perfect for small children, wish I knew about such things when my children were young. ☺
ReplyDeleteI think I probably like bigger pasta too - orecchiette is definitely my favourite, probably followed by farfalle - but I think these would nice for a change and I love the idea of such a simple dish. Pleased that you and Giada managed to rub shoulders comfortably this week :-)
ReplyDeleteSue
Pretty pasta dish- kids would love it too!
ReplyDeleteThe pasta look so creamy and good. Kids will love it.
ReplyDeleteI love baby pasta! Yum :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously the best grown up mac 'n cheese ever! Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
ReplyDeleteEstoy buscando tu receta de galletas d parmesano y no las encuentro :( pero me encontré ésta recetita, ya la hice yo porqe también tengo el libro, es lo máximo verdad? a mi familia les encanta!! fácil y rico!! la hago con todo tipo d pasta pequeña :D
ReplyDeletessigo buscando...
It's here Pily:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.girlichef.com/2011/09/50-women-game-changers-in-food-16-maida.html