Pasta Della Casa
Penne pasta tossed with chicken, pepperoni, spicy tomato sauce, and a touch of cream.
Nutrition Facts
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Tony Macaroni - Dunfermline
Pasta Della Casa, meaning "pasta of the house," is a term generally used to describe a pasta dish that is a restaurant's or family's own unique creation. As such, it doesn't have a deep, traceable history like some classic Italian dishes. This specific variation, featuring chicken, pepperoni, and cream in a spicy tomato sauce, likely emerged as an adaptation incorporating American culinary preferences and available ingredients, diverging from more traditional, regional Italian pasta recipes. The addition of pepperoni especially marks it as a dish influenced by Italian-American cuisine.
Pasta Della Casa, in its individualized form, represents the creativity and adaptability of Italian cuisine, both in Italy and abroad. It reflects the chef's or family's personal touch and use of available ingredients, rather than adherence to strict regional recipes.
Customization and Personalization
The 'Della Casa' element emphasizes the idea that this is a unique, homemade dish, encouraging variations and personalization based on individual tastes and available ingredients. It's about creating something special and memorable.
Comfort Food Appeal
The combination of pasta, meat, and a creamy sauce often positions this type of dish as comfort food. It's satisfying, flavorful, and evokes a sense of warmth and home.
Restaurant Specials
Restaurants frequently feature a 'Pasta Della Casa' as a rotating special, showcasing their chef's culinary creativity and offering customers something new and exciting beyond the standard menu.
This pasta dish offers a delightful balance of savory, spicy, and creamy flavors.
The chicken provides a lean protein base, while the pepperoni adds a salty, spicy, and slightly smoky cured meat flavor. The spicy tomato sauce contributes acidity, sweetness, and heat, creating a robust foundation. The touch of cream introduces richness and a velvety texture, rounding out the sharpness of the tomato and spice, while also adding depth and body to the sauce.
Spice Level Adjustment
Control the heat by adjusting the amount of chili flakes or using a spicy tomato sauce. If you prefer milder flavors, opt for a regular tomato sauce and omit the chili.
Quality of Ingredients
Using high-quality pepperoni and chicken will significantly enhance the overall flavor of the dish. Opt for chicken thighs for richer flavor and pepperoni from a reputable brand.
Cream Incorporation
Add the cream at the very end of the cooking process, simmering gently to avoid curdling. Do not boil the sauce after adding the cream.
Pasta Cooking
Cook the penne al dente. The pasta will continue to cook slightly when added to the sauce. Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
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