Saffron Pasta

Saffron pasta is a simple yet very aromatic dish, thanks to the unique fragrance of saffron. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320 g of pasta (penne or spaghetti work well)
• 1 sachet of saffron powder or a few threads
• 1 small onion
• 200 ml of cooking cream
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 30 g of butter
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste (optional)

Preparation

1. Bring water to a boil for cooking the pasta in a large pot. When the water boils, add salt and then the pasta, cooking according to the package instructions for al dente.
2. In the meantime, finely chop the onion and sauté it in a pan with the butter over medium-low heat until it becomes translucent.
3. Add the saffron powder (or the threads previously soaked in a bit of hot water or broth) to the onion, mixing well to ensure the color and aroma spread evenly.
4. Pour the cooking cream into the pan and stir. Bring everything to a light boil, then lower the heat to let the sauce thicken slightly.
5. When the pasta is cooked, drain it well and keep some of the cooking water.
6. Transfer the pasta to the pan with the saffron sauce and mix well, adding a little of the reserved cooking water if necessary to make the sauce creamier.
7. Turn off the heat, add the grated Parmesan cheese, and mix well to melt and blend it with the sauce.
8. Season with salt and, if desired, with pepper.

Curiosity

Saffron is a very precious spice, extracted from the flowers of Crocus sativus. It is known not only for its aromatic properties but also for health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, saffron is also said to have aphrodisiac properties.

To make this dish even more Italian, you could finish it off with a handful of chopped fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness. Enjoy your meal!