Description
Candy Cane Pasta is a festive and visually striking pasta dish that mimics the look of a candy cane using red-colored and plain pasta strands. Made with fettuccine or linguine tossed in a creamy garlic Parmesan and mozzarella cheese sauce, this holiday-inspired main course is perfect for seasonal dinners and family celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Color and Garnish
- Red food coloring (gel or liquid), a few drops
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
- Crushed peppermint candies or candy canes for visual garnish (optional, decorative only)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or linguine pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Simmer the cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Add cheeses: Stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Color the pasta: Divide the cooked pasta evenly into two bowls. In one bowl, add a few drops of red food coloring and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta strands in a red hue, resembling the red stripe of a candy cane. Leave the other bowl of pasta plain (white).
- Assemble the candy cane effect: Using tongs, alternate strands of red and white pasta as you plate them to create a striped candy cane look.
- Serve: Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the plated pasta. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and, if using, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies around the dish purely for decoration.
Notes
- This dish is a delightful festive meal that kids especially enjoy during holiday dinners.
- Crushed peppermint candies are decorative only; do not add them for flavor unless you want a sweet peppermint twist.
- You can adjust the amount of red food coloring for deeper or lighter red stripes based on preference.
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor, and be careful not to brown it during sautéing to maintain a mild garlic taste.
