Ingredients:
– 1 pound of pasta (You can also use any short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, etc.)
– 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
– 2 cups of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
– 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil
– 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/2 cup of Prato mayonnaise (You can substitute with regular mayonnaise and mix with 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.)
– Water for boiling
Instructions:
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ladybird pasta and cook until tender but still slightly firm, stirring occasionally, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Then drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, which usually takes about 1 minute.
3. Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they’re softened, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the cherry tomatoes and mix well until combined. Then add the chopped basil and parsley and mix until evenly distributed.
5. Season the pasta dish with salt and pepper to taste.
6. In a small bowl, mix together the Prato mayonnaise and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
7. Serve the pasta dish in bowls and top each bowl with a generous dollop of the Prato mayonnaise.
8. Garnish with additional chopped basil or parsley.
Ladybird with tomato and Prato mayonnaise is a simple yet flavorful pasta dish that’s perfect for a summer evening meal. The combination of cherry tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and herbs, along with the rich and creamy Prato mayonnaise, creates a deliciously satisfying meal. This dish is also easy to make and can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or for an impromptu gathering with friends and family.
The flavors of Italy are brought to your table with this dish and you can also tweak it as per your preference – you can add some grilled chicken or shrimp to make it more filling if you’d like or just enjoy it as is. Either way, Ladybird with tomato and Prato mayonnaise is a dish that everyone will love!