Penne al Baffo

Penne al Baffo is a creamy and tasty dish highly appreciated in Italian cuisine. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320g di penne rigate (or another pasta shape of your choice)
• 200 ml cooking cream
• 200 ml tomato passata
• 80g diced cooked ham
• 1/2 small onion
• Extra virgin olive oil (to taste)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Grated Parmesan (to taste)
• A pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by finely chopping the onion and sautéing it in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
2. Add the diced cooked ham and let it flavor for a few minutes.
3. Pour the tomato passata into the pan, mix well and let it cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat, adjusting with salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne rigate according to the times indicated on the package for al dente cooking.
5. After the tomato sauce has had time to flavor, add the cooking cream and mix well. If you like, you can add a pinch of nutmeg.
6. Let the sauce cook for another 5 minutes until it becomes creamy and homogeneous.
7. Drain the al dente pasta, pour it into the pan with the sauce and toss everything to combine the ingredients.
8. Serve the penne al baffo hot, with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan to taste.

Trivia

The name “Penne al Baffo” comes from the creamy consistency and the speed with which this dish is eaten, often leaving a trace of sauce around the mouth, like a mustache indeed. It is a dish much loved by both adults and children for its creaminess and delicate flavor. You can customize it by adding mushrooms or peas to enrich it further.