Fettuccine Romano

Pasta is one of the best meals to make when you don’t have much time or don’t know what to make. I can’t count the number of times that pasta saved the day and just when I think I’ve had every pasta recipe out there I find a new one to try.

Fettuccine Romano is a simple dish that somehow manages to taste like you’ve been standing over a hot stove for hours, but it takes then less than 30 minutes to make. Serve with a salad or some garlic bread and you’ve got a wonderful meal that will please anyone who loves Italian food.

Fettuccine Romano

After trying this recipe I was reminded just how much I enjoy fettuccine even though I don’t usually buy it at the store. The flat noodles have a lot of surface area for sauce to stick to, making them perfect for this hearty sauce.

To begin this recipe make your fettuccine to package directions and drain the noodles, reserving half a cup of the pasta water for the sauce. This is a trick straight from Italy. The starches released into the water while the pasta is cooking help bind the sauce together. And, doing this also adds some flavor to the sauce as well.

In a large skillet sauté the garlic in butter and olive oil over medium-high heat.

sautéing garlic for Fettuccine Romano

Then caramelize the onions on medium heat (about 10 minutes) then add in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

After turning the burner back to medium-high cook until sauce begins to thicken, stirring often. Remove from heat and then add the pasta to the sauce, as well as the sour cream and the grated Romano cheese. Garnish with a final sprinkling of Romano before serving and you’re done.

making Fettuccine Romano

This is one dinner that comes together quickly, but tastes like it took all day to make. The sour cream and Romano cheese add a layer of creaminess to this dish that brings the flavors together.

For a different take on this dish you could add capers, anchovies, fresh herbs or whatever you might enjoy in a pasta sauce. But, the nice thing about this recipe is that if you don’t have any extra fixins on hand you can still make this wonderful pasta dinner without any fuss.

Fettuccine Romano