Creamy pasta with radicchio, crispy speck and walnuts: a quick and irresistible recipe

Name: Creamy pasta with radicchio, crispy speck and walnuts: a quick and irresistible recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: En
Ingredients: 6 oz fusilli pasta; ½ head radicchio; 2 oz speck; 1 small onion; ⅓ cup cream cheese; 8 walnut halves; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; Olive oil to taste; Salt to taste

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Main Dish

Very Easy

17 min

723 Kcal

Looking for a creamy pasta that wins you over at the very first bite? Try fusilli coated in a luxurious radicchio and cream cheese sauce, finished with crispy speck and walnuts for the perfect mix of textures and flavors. The radicchio is cooked down with onion and blended into a silky, velvety cream, while the browned speck adds an irresistible smoky touch. Soft meets crunchy, bitter meets sweet. Everything comes together in a mouthwatering balance that makes this dish ideal for a special yet easy dinner. The fusilli catches the sauce in every twist, and the walnuts bring a bright, aromatic crunch. A creamy radicchio pasta you’ll want to bookmark as a new favorite.

Ingredients

6 oz fusilli pasta
½ head radicchio
2 oz speck
1 small onion
⅓ cup cream cheese
8 walnut halves
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Olive oil to taste
Salt to taste

Materials

Frying pan
Pot
Blender
Cutting board
Knife

Preparation

Preparation5 min

Cook time12 min

Clean the radicchio by removing any spoiled outer leaves. Rinse it quickly under running water to remove any remaining soil between the leaves and cut it into thin strips.
Finely chop the onion and brown it in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the radicchio and cook with the lid on for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water following the directions on the package.
Transfer the cooked radicchio to the blender jar. Add the cream cheese, a little of the pasta cooking water, and blend until creamy.
Cut the speck into strips or pieces and brown them in a nonstick skillet until crispy. Then set aside.
Pour the radicchio cream into the pan, add the pasta drained al dente, and saute over high heat for a few moments with the grated Parmesan cheese until creamy.
Plate the pasta and garnish with coarsely chopped walnuts and crispy speck. Serve immediately, piping hot.

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FAQ ❓

How do you store creamy radicchio pasta in the refrigerator?

Store in an airtight container and keep for 1 to 2 days. Add a drizzle of milk or water before reheating to restore creaminess.

Can I substitute cream cheese for another variety?

You can use mascarpone or ricotta for a creamy radicchio pasta. The flavor changes slightly but the cream remains velvety.

How can I make this pasta vegan?

Replace the cheese with a plant-based alternative and omit the speck. For a smoky effect, add sautéed mushrooms or smoked tofu.

What is the secret to making the perfect radicchio sauce?

Cook radicchio and onion until tender, then blend with a little cooking water. You'll get a smooth cream that coats the fusilli.

Is it possible to prepare this recipe in advance?

Prepare the radicchio cream and speck in advance, keep them separate, and toss with the pasta just before serving to keep it al dente.

What type of pasta is ideal for the radicchio sauce?

Fusilli is perfect because it captures the sauce well, but you can also use penne rigate, rigatoni or fresh tagliatelle. Avoid shapes that are too thin, which would not hold up to the creaminess of the sauce.

What is the best way to reheat without letting the sauce separate?

Heat over a gentle flame with a drop of milk or cooking water, stirring. Avoid using a microwave on a high setting to keep the emulsion from breaking.