Mediterranean Garlic Explosion Pasta
Indulge in this Mediterranean Garlic Explosion Pasta, a delightful dish that celebrates the bold flavors of garlic combined with fresh Mediterranean vegetables and aromatic herbs. Perfect for garlic lovers, this pasta is infused with sautéed garlic, colorful peppers, and complemented by the rich tang of feta cheese and olives. This vibrant and hearty dish not only tantalizes the taste buds but also makes a stunning centerpiece for any gathering. Serve it as a main course or as a side dish - it's sure to impress your guests!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup (None)
Garlic
10-20 cloves (minced)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 teaspoon (whole)
Fresh Parsley
3 tablespoons (chopped)
Penne or Rotini Pasta
3 cups (cooked)
Romano or Parmesan Cheese
1/4-1/3 cup (grated)
Club House Greek Seasoning
1-2 tablespoons (None)
Red Pepper
1 (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Green Pepper
1 (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Yellow Pepper
1 (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Black Olives
375 ml can (sliced or whole, drained)
Red Onion
1 (sliced thinly)
Feta Cheese
250 g package (cut and crumbled)
Fresh Lemon Zest
1 tablespoon (grated)
Lemon Juice
1 (juiced)
Hot Italian Sausages or Chorizo
6 (cooked and sliced into 1/2 slices)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving a little of the pasta cooking water.
2
In a large stir-fry pan or skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
3
Add the cubed red, green, and yellow bell peppers to the pan with the garlic. Sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes until the peppers are softened.
4
Stir in the sliced hot Italian sausages (or chorizo) and the sliced olives. Add in the Greek seasoning, mixing well to combine, and heat everything through for about 2-3 minutes.
5
Once the sausage and vegetables are well combined, add the hot cooked pasta to the skillet. If desired, add a splash of reserved pasta cooking water to help combine the ingredients. Season with salt to taste.
6
Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the pasta with crumbled feta cheese, fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, thinly sliced red onion, red pepper flakes, and freshly chopped parsley.
7
Toss everything gently to combine and ensure an even distribution of the garnish. Serve immediately in a pre-warmed serving dish, and enjoy the explosion of Mediterranean flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Garlic Explosion Pasta?
It is a bold and flavorful pasta dish that features a high volume of sautéed garlic, colorful Mediterranean vegetables, Italian sausage, and aromatic herbs, topped with feta cheese and lemon.
How many garlic cloves are needed for this recipe?
This recipe calls for a significant amount of garlic, specifically between 10 to 20 minced cloves, to create the signature 'explosion' of flavor.
What type of pasta is best for this dish?
The recipe recommends using 3 cups of cooked Penne or Rotini pasta, as these shapes hold the oil and ingredients well.
What kind of sausage should I use?
You can use 6 hot Italian sausages or Chorizo, cooked and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces.
Is this pasta spicy?
The dish has a kick due to the use of hot Italian sausages (or chorizo) and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this vegetarian by omitting the Italian sausage or chorizo and potentially adding more vegetables or a plant-based protein.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 6 servings.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes one red bell pepper, one green bell pepper, one yellow bell pepper, black olives, and a red onion.
What kind of cheese is used for the garnish?
The pasta is garnished with a 250g package of crumbled feta cheese, and optionally 1/4 to 1/3 cup of grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
How do I prepare the bell peppers?
The red, green, and yellow bell peppers should be cut into 1-inch cubes before sautéing.
What is the purpose of reserving pasta cooking water?
A splash of reserved pasta cooking water can be added to the skillet when combining the pasta and vegetables to help the ingredients integrate smoothly.
How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
Sauté the minced garlic in extra virgin olive oil for only 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, monitoring it closely to ensure it doesn't burn.
What seasoning is used for the Mediterranean flavor?
The recipe uses 1-2 tablespoons of Club House Greek Seasoning to provide authentic Mediterranean aromatics.
Should the red onion be cooked?
No, the thinly sliced red onion is added as a raw garnish at the end to provide a fresh, crisp texture and sharp flavor.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, which serves as the base for the garlic sauce.
When do I add the lemon juice and zest?
Fresh lemon zest and lemon juice are added as a final garnish after the skillet has been removed from the heat.
What type of olives are best?
The recipe calls for a 375 ml can of black olives, which should be drained and can be used either whole or sliced.
How long do the peppers need to sauté?
The cubed bell peppers should be sautéed with the garlic for about 3-4 minutes until they become softened.
Can I use different pasta shapes?
While Penne and Rotini are suggested, any medium-sized pasta shape that can capture the oil and small ingredients would work well.
Is fresh parsley necessary?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley are used as a garnish to add a fresh, herbal finish to the dish.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing?
The recipe specifically calls for extra virgin olive oil to ensure a rich, authentic flavor profile.
Do I cook the sausage in the same pan?
The sausage should be pre-cooked and sliced, then added to the stir-fry pan to heat through with the garlic and peppers.
How should I serve this dish?
It is best served immediately in a pre-warmed serving dish after tossing the pasta with its garnishes.
Can this be served as a side dish?
Yes, while hearty enough for a main course, it also makes an excellent side dish for gatherings.
What if I don't have Greek seasoning?
You can create a substitute using a blend of dried oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Is the feta cheese cooked?
No, the feta cheese is crumbled over the top as a garnish after the pasta is removed from the heat, allowing it to soften slightly without melting completely.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of salt in the mix, plus extra for the pasta boiling water and additional salt to taste at the end.
How do I zest the lemon?
Use a grater or zester to get 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest, being careful to only grate the yellow skin and not the white pith.
Can I use a regular skillet?
Yes, a large skillet or a stir-fry pan is suitable for this recipe as long as it is big enough to hold the pasta and all the vegetables.
Does this recipe store well for leftovers?
Yes, the flavors often deepen overnight, though the fresh garnish like parsley and red onion may soften when reheated.