Pasta al Tartufo Recipe (Truffle Pasta)

Quick Meal Facts

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Time to Stand: None
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Ease of Cooking: Easy
• Servings: 4
• Calories: Approximately 450 calories per serving
• Cost of Ingredients: Moderate ($20-30 depending on truffle availability)
• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Main
• Equipment Needed: Large pot, skillet, tongs, fine grater, pasta strainer

Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making  Pasta al Tartufo  here

Ingredients

• 400g (14 oz) pasta (preferably tagliatelle or fettuccine)
• 40g (1.5 oz) fresh truffles (black or white)
• 50g (1.75 oz) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 garlic clove (optional, for added flavor)

Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making  Pasta al Tartufo  here

Step-by-Step Method

1. Boil the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (firm to the bite).
• Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.

2. Prepare the Truffle Sauce

• While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over low heat.
• Add the extra virgin olive oil to the skillet to prevent the butter from burning.
• If you like a bit more flavor, you can lightly sauté a garlic clove in the butter, then remove it. This adds a subtle aroma without overpowering the truffle.

3. Incorporate the Truffles

• Grate a portion of the truffles into the butter and oil mixture. Stir gently, allowing the heat to release the deep, earthy flavors of the truffles.
• Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it up. This helps create a silky, glossy sauce that clings to the pasta.

4. Mix the Pasta

• Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and immediately toss it into the skillet with the truffle sauce.
• Add grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese to the pasta, and toss everything together. The cheese will melt, combining with the truffle and butter to create a creamy, rich sauce.
• Season with freshly ground black pepper and a little more salt if needed.

5. Finishing Touches

• Transfer the pasta to serving bowls.
• Use a fine grater or truffle shaver to shave the remaining fresh truffles over the pasta.
• Serve immediately with more grated Parmesan on the side if desired.

Variations and Substitutions

• Dietary Needs:
  • Vegetarian: This recipe is naturally vegetarian-friendly. Make sure to use vegetarian Parmesan or a substitute if you avoid animal rennet.
  • Vegan: Swap butter with plant-based butter and use a vegan Parmesan substitute. Olive oil can also be increased to replace the butter entirely for a lighter, vegan version.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta in place of traditional wheat-based pasta. The sauce works perfectly with any kind of gluten-free variety.
• Protein Boost: If you’d like to add protein, cooked chicken breast, shrimp, or pancetta can be folded into the pasta right before serving.
• Different Cheese Options: Parmesan and Pecorino are classics, but you could also use Grana Padano or even a truffle-infused cheese for a deeper truffle experience. Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making  Pasta al Tartufo  here

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 23g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 280mg

Troubleshooting Tips

• Pasta Too Dry? Add a bit more reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it feels too thick. A splash of water goes a long way in achieving that silky finish.
• Truffle Flavor Too Weak? The strength of truffles can vary, so if you feel the truffle flavor isn’t strong enough, add a bit of truffle oil at the end of cooking for an extra boost.
• Butter Separating from the Sauce? This could happen if the skillet is too hot. Keep the heat on low and stir in pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making  Pasta al Tartufo  here

Final Thoughts

This Pasta al Tartufo is versatile enough to be a simple weeknight dinner or the star of a special occasion. Whether you’re indulging in the rich truffle flavor or customizing it with different ingredients, you’ll find that it’s always a hit. The beauty of this recipe is its ability to adapt to your dietary needs or ingredient availability. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do.