Spaghetti Alla Nerano
Creamy Spaghetti Alla Nerano is a classic Italian pasta recipe made with fried zucchini, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. A simple yet elegant dinner packed with rich flavor and ready in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling, Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
O Optimized Description
This authentic Spaghetti Alla Nerano recipe is a creamy Italian pasta dish made with fried zucchini, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and spaghetti. Originating from the Amalfi Coast, this simple yet flavorful pasta recipe creates a silky zucchini sauce that perfectly coats every strand of spaghetti.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it transforms humble zucchini into an incredibly rich and creamy pasta sauce without using heavy cream. The fried zucchini becomes tender and flavorful, while Parmesan cheese and pasta water create a silky texture that clings beautifully to the spaghetti. It’s fresh, comforting, and perfect for a quick Italian-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
½ quart sunflower oil or vegetable oil (about 2 cups)
6 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1 cup chopped fresh basil
Kosher salt, to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 pound spaghetti
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Pour the sunflower oil into a large pot and heat over medium-high heat until hot for frying.
Fry the sliced zucchini in batches until golden brown, about 5–6 minutes per batch.
Remove the zucchini with a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
Place the fried zucchini in a bowl and toss with fresh basil and salt to taste.
Drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil and let the zucchini rest while preparing the pasta.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions.
Reserve 2 cups of pasta cooking water before draining the spaghetti.
Add the cooked spaghetti to a large skillet over medium-low heat.
Add the zucchini mixture and toss gently.
Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to help create a creamy sauce.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese little by little, tossing continuously until the cheese melts and forms a silky sauce coating the pasta.
Season with additional salt if needed.
Drizzle with extra olive oil and serve immediately with more Parmesan cheese on the side.
Notes
Frying the zucchini until deeply golden helps develop the classic flavor of Alla Nerano.
Reserve enough pasta water to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
Toss the pasta continuously while adding cheese to prevent clumping.
Fresh basil adds brightness and authentic Italian flavor.
Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/spaghetti-alla-nerano/
