Lemon-Braised Mafaldini with Kale and Stracciatella
Inspired by Gail Simmons, renowned food enthusiast and judge on Bravo’s ‘Top Chef,’ this vibrant pasta dish showcases mafaldini, a delightful wide flat noodle that captures flavors beautifully. Tossed in a luscious blend of sautéed garlic, red pepper, and tender baby kale, the pasta is elevated with zesty lemon juice and aromatic zest. Finished with creamy stracciatella cheese and garnished with fresh basil, this dish is perfect for a quick yet sophisticated meal that delights the palate and satisfies the soul.
1
Servings
670
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 teaspoons (none)
unsalted butter
2 teaspoons (none)
garlic
1 teaspoon (minced)
red pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
baby kale
1 cup (torn)
lemon zest
1 teaspoon (zested)
lemon juice
2 teaspoons (none)
reserved pasta water
2 teaspoons (none)
parmigiano-reggiano cheese
2 tablespoons (grated)
mafaldini pasta
1 nest (or another wide flat noodle)
stracciatella cheese
2 tablespoons (none)
basil
1 teaspoon (torn)
Instructions
1
Heat olive oil and unsalted butter in a medium skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted.
2
Add minced garlic and red pepper to the skillet, sautéing until the garlic is golden brown, about 5 minutes.
3
Stir in the torn baby kale and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and transfer to a medium bowl.
4
In the same bowl with the kale mixture, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, reserved pasta water, and grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese. Set aside.
5
Cook the mafaldini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a few teaspoons of pasta water and drain the rest.
6
Add the cooked mafaldini to the bowl with the kale and other ingredients, mixing rapidly to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta.
7
To serve, plate the pasta and top with dollops of stracciatella cheese. Garnish with torn basil and additional lemon zest for a fresh finish.
Nutrition Information
32g
Fat
60g
Carbs
24g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lemon-Braised Mafaldini?
It is a vibrant pasta dish featuring wide flat noodles tossed in a garlic, kale, and lemon sauce, topped with creamy stracciatella cheese.
Who inspired this recipe?
This dish was inspired by Gail Simmons, a renowned food enthusiast and judge on Bravo’s ‘Top Chef.’
What type of noodle is mafaldini?
Mafaldini is a wide flat noodle with ruffled edges that captures flavors and sauces beautifully.
How long does this recipe take to prepare?
This is a quick meal categorized under recipes that take less than 30 minutes to make.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This specific recipe is designed to serve one person.
What is the primary fat used for sautéing the ingredients?
The recipe uses a combination of 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of unsalted butter.
How should the garlic be prepared and cooked?
The garlic should be minced and sautéed until it becomes golden brown, which takes about 5 minutes.
Is there any spice in this dish?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper to add a gentle heat to the flavor profile.
What kind of kale is recommended for this pasta?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of baby kale, which should be torn before being sautéed.
What role does lemon play in the recipe?
Lemon is used in two forms: 1 teaspoon of zest for aroma and 2 teaspoons of juice for acidity and brightness.
Why is reserved pasta water used in the sauce?
A few teaspoons of reserved pasta water are added to the kale and cheese mixture to help create a creamy sauce that coats the noodles.
What kind of cheese is stirred into the kale mixture?
Two tablespoons of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese are stirred into the mixture before adding the pasta.
What is the calorie count for this meal?
One serving of this Lemon-Braised Mafaldini contains 670 calories.
How much protein is in this pasta dish?
This recipe provides 24g of protein per serving.
What are the fat and carbohydrate counts?
The dish contains 32g of fat and 60g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is stracciatella cheese?
Stracciatella is a creamy Italian cheese that is added in dollops on top of the plated pasta as a finishing touch.
How do you garnish the finished dish?
The pasta is garnished with torn fresh basil and additional lemon zest for a fresh finish.
Can I substitute the mafaldini pasta?
Yes, if mafaldini is unavailable, you can use another wide flat noodle as a substitute.
How long should the kale be sautéed?
The torn baby kale should be sautéed for approximately 2 minutes until it is wilted.
When do you add the cooked pasta to the sauce?
Once the pasta is cooked al dente, it is added to a bowl containing the kale, lemon, and cheese mixture and mixed rapidly.
Is this dish considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food, offering a satisfying and soul-delighting meal.
What type of cuisine does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is categorized under Italian cuisine.
How many total ingredients are required?
There are 12 ingredients required to make this dish.
What is the preparation for the fresh basil?
The 1 teaspoon of fresh basil should be torn before being used as a garnish.
Is the butter salted or unsalted?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 teaspoons of unsalted butter.
What does 'al dente' mean for the mafaldini?
It means cooking the pasta until it is firm to the bite, following the specific package instructions.
How do you create the creamy sauce texture?
The creaminess is achieved by rapidly mixing the hot pasta with Parmigiano-Reggiano, lemon juice, and reserved pasta water.
What heat setting should be used for sautéing?
A medium heat setting is recommended for melting the butter and sautéing the garlic and kale.
Is this a good recipe for a quick weekday meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a 'quick meal' and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to plate the pasta and top it with dollops of stracciatella cheese and fresh garnishes.