Round pasta with cheese

Round Pasta with Cheese: A Delicious and Satisfying Recipe

If you are looking for a simple yet incredibly tasty recipe, round pasta with cheese is the perfect choice. These pasta, combined with cheese, eggs, and a sprinkle of sugar, make for a comforting dish, ideal for both lunch and dinner. Whether you enjoy them hot or cold, these pasta will surely delight your taste buds. Let's discover together how to prepare this delicacy!

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 250 g round pasta
- 300 g crumbled sheep cheese (or telemea cheese)
- 4 eggs
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 1 teaspoon rum essence
- margarine for greasing the baking dish

History and Tradition:
Cheese pasta is a dish that blends culinary traditions from various cultures. Each region has its own variations, but the essence remains the same: a combination of pasta and cheese that offers a rich and comforting taste. These pasta can be considered a symbol of comfort, often prepared in families around the world.

Step by Step Preparation:

1. Boiling the pasta: Start by filling a large pot with water and adding a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil. When the water reaches boiling point, add the round pasta. Let them boil for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Taste them to ensure they are al dente, then drain well.

2. Preparing the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, add the crumbled sheep cheese. Use a fork to mash it well until creamy. Then, add the sugar, vanilla sugar, rum essence, and eggs. Mix everything very well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

3. Mixing the pasta with the cheese: Add the drained pasta to the bowl with the cheese mixture. Carefully mix everything, ensuring that each piece of pasta is evenly coated with the cheese mixture.

4. Preparing the baking dish: Take a heat-resistant dish and grease it with margarine to prevent sticking. This will also help achieve a slightly crispy crust on the edges.

5. Baking: Pour the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared dish. You can add a few pieces of margarine on top or, for an extra flavor, a beaten egg over the entire surface. This will help form a golden crust. Preheat the oven to 180°C and place the dish inside. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the surface becomes golden and slightly crispy.

6. Serving: After baking, take the dish out of the oven and let it cool slightly. These pasta can be served hot or cold, dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. This detail transforms them into a delicious dessert!

Practical Tips:
- Cheese: If you don’t have sheep cheese, you can use telemea cheese or ricotta. Each type of cheese will bring a different flavor to the dish.
- Variations: You can add raisins or nuts to the cheese mixture for a contrast of textures and flavors. Additionally, you can experiment with various extract flavors, such as vanilla or almond.
- Serving: These pasta pair wonderfully with a light green salad or a tomato sauce. If you want to turn them into a dessert, serve them with warm chocolate sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use whole grain pasta? Absolutely! Whole grain pasta will add extra fiber and nutrients while keeping the delicious taste.
2. How can I store leftovers? These pasta store excellently in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave.
3. Is this recipe suitable for vegans? You can adapt the recipe using egg-free pasta and vegan cheese, but the taste will be different.

Nutritional Benefits:
This recipe offers a mix of proteins from eggs and cheese, carbohydrates from pasta, and a portion of calcium. It is an excellent option for a hearty lunch or a light dinner. Each serving contains approximately 400 calories, depending on the type of cheese used.

Conclusion:
Round pasta with cheese is a comforting dish that blends tradition with innovation. Whether you choose to enjoy them hot or cold, you will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Experiment with the ingredients and create your own version of this classic dish! Enjoy your meal!