Description
A vibrant and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring orecchiette pasta tossed with a flavorful mix of butter beans, cherry tomatoes, garlic, red chillies, fresh parsley, and zesty lemon. This easy one-pan pasta recipe balances creamy beans with bright citrus and a gentle kick from chilli, finished with optional grated parmesan for added richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g orecchiette
Sauce and Toppings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 400g can butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 400g can cherry tomatoes
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- ½ large bunch of parsley, finely chopped
- 25g grated parmesan or vegetarian alternative (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orecchiette according to the package instructions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water for later use.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped red chillies and crushed garlic cloves, frying gently for 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the drained and rinsed butter beans along with the canned cherry tomatoes to the pan. Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Allow the mixture to cook for 5 minutes so the tomatoes reduce slightly and the butter beans heat through.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Final Touches: Scatter the chopped parsley into the pan and cook everything together for an additional 2 minutes, letting the flavors meld.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Transfer the cooked orecchiette into the frying pan with the butter bean and tomato mixture. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it to your desired consistency. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Spoon the pasta and sauce into bowls. If desired, sprinkle with the grated parmesan or vegetarian cheese alternative before serving to add a creamy, savory finish.
Notes
- To make this recipe vegan, omit the parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- For a spicier dish, leave the seeds in the chillies or add an extra chilli.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water as it contains starch that helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
- This is a quick and nutritious meal packed with protein from butter beans and fresh herbs for brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: orecchiette, butter beans, pasta recipe, quick Italian meal, vegetarian pasta, lemon and chilli pasta
