Legume Pasta with Cheese Cream and Artichokes

Legume pasta with cheese cream and artichokes is a nutritious and tasty dish, great for those looking for alternatives to traditional pasta and want to include more legumes in their diet. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 250 g of legume pasta (chickpeas, lentils, peas, etc.)
• 200 g of creamy cheese (like Philadelphia or ricotta)
• 6-8 fresh artichokes or 1 can of artichoke hearts in oil
• 1 clove of garlic
• Juice of 1 lemon (if using fresh artichokes)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley (for garnishing)

Preparation

1. If you’re using fresh artichokes, clean them by removing the outer hardest leaves, cut away the spiky tips, and immerse them in water with lemon juice to prevent browning.
2. Cut the artichokes into wedges and cook them in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic until they are soft. If using canned artichoke hearts in oil, drain and cut them into wedges, then sauté them briefly in a pan with garlic.
3. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water following the timings indicated on the package.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the creamy cheese with some of the pasta cooking water until you get a smooth and homogeneous cream.
5. Drain the pasta al dente and keep some of the cooking water aside.
6. Remove the garlic from the pan with the artichokes, combine the pasta and cheese cream. If the mixture is too thick, add some of the cooking water to reach the desired consistency.
7. Stir well to blend the ingredients, season with salt and pepper, and let it flavor for a minute over low heat.
8. Serve the pasta garnished with chopped parsley and, if desired, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Fun Facts

Legume pasta is an exceptional choice for those seeking gluten-free alternatives and to increase the protein content of the meal. Artichokes, besides being delicious, are rich in antioxidants and have beneficial properties for the liver. This recipe combines delicate and natural flavors with the nutritional richness of the ingredients, representing a perfect balance between taste and wellness.