Asparagus and Prosciutto Pasta with Smoked Mozzarella

Name: Asparagus and Prosciutto Pasta With Smoked Mozzarella
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 pounds asparagus (trimmed); 3/4 pound pasta, such as Spaghetti Chitarra or Fettuccine; 4 tablespoons olive oil; 4 garlic cloves (minced); Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto (cut crosswise into strips); 6 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese (diced (about 1 cup); 6 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

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When asparagus is in season, it has such a great savory and freshly sweet flavor, so I love to add it in just about everything. I love it in the flavor combination of this pasta: the smokey mozzarella and salty prosciutto really bring out the sweetness of the seasonal asparagus. This would also be just as lovely with green beans or broccolini in place of asparagus, too!

Servings

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Calories

529

Author:

Giada De Laurentiis

Image of Asparagus and Prosciutto Pasta With Smoked Mozzarella

Ingredients

2 pounds asparagus (trimmed)
3/4 pound pasta, such as Spaghetti Chitarra or Fettuccine

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4 tablespoons olive oil

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4 garlic cloves (minced)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto (cut crosswise into strips)
6 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese (diced (about 1 cup)
6 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Instructions

Cook the asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. With a spider or slotted spoon, remove asparagus from boiling water to a bowl of ice water to cool and stop the cooking. When cool, strain, cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces, and set aside.
Return the water in the pot to a boil, adding additional water, if necessary. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add asparagus to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta, and if needed, some of the reserved cooking liquid. Toss to coat. Add the prosciutto, mozzarella, and basil, and toss to combine. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.