From the menu of . . . Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 2030 Sugarloaf Circle, Duluth. 770-497-4959, www.carrabbas.com
Q. My wife and I recently enjoyed a great meal at the Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Duluth. I had a side dish that really wowed me and would love to have the recipe. It was pasta in a very light and spicy tomato sauce and was called "cavatappi amatatriciana". I asked for the recipe at the restaurant, but to no avail. Thanks.
William Hovis, Norcross
A. Cavatappi Amatriciana is offered as the house side pasta for the grilled entrees at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. In the photo here, it’s paired with Chicken Bryan, a grilled chicken breast topped with goat cheese and sundried tomatoes and served with a basil-lemon butter sauce.
Amatriciana is a classic Italian sauce that always starts with a bit of pork and adds tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Quick and flavorful, the sauce pairs well with heartier pasta shapes like the cavatappi or corkscrew shaped pasta served at Carrabba’s.
Is there a restaurant recipe you'd like to make at home? Tell us and we'll try to get it. We'll also test it and adapt it for the home kitchen. Because of volume, we can't answer all inquiries. Send your request, your address and phone number to fromthemenu@gmail.com and put "From the menu of” and the name of the restaurant in the subject line.
Carrabba’s Cavatappi Amatriciana
Hands on: 15 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup bacon or pancetta, cut into 1/2-by-1/4-inch dice (1 slice bacon)
1 (28-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with their juice
1 cup water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces cavatappi or cork screw pasta
1/4 cup grated Romano or Parmesan
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until it turns golden, about 10 minutes. Add bacon or pancetta and cook until fat is rendered and meat is lightly browned but not crisp, about 10 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes, water, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce until it thickens, about 20 minutes.
While sauce is cooking, boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.
When ready to serve, toss pasta and sauce in a large skillet until pasta is coated. Add cheese and heat over low flame until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 399 calories (percent of calories from fat, 29), 14 grams protein, 58 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 13 grams fat (7 grams saturated), 31 milligrams cholesterol, 1,150 milligrams sodium.
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