Anchovy Pesto Pasta is a rustic Italian dish that will easily turn a chilly day into a warm, cozy moment of salty, savory goodness. I made it twice this week; once with Cavatappi pasta and lastly with angel hair pasta.

As a young girl, my mother would always order our pizza with anchovies. As I grew older, I realized most people didn’t even like anchovies. What a shame! I love them so much, I usually go to a personal pizza maker here in Los Angeles just so I can add extra anchovies on top of my pizza. The face of the person making it always gives me a good laugh as I ask for more and more. Anchovies are a small part of the good memories I share with my mother when I lived with her. So, it’s only right that they continue to be a part of my life and bring me easeful feelings.

Italian cuisine is known for its rustic simplicity, relying on fresh, high-quality ingredients and simple preparations to bring out the natural flavors of the food. One of the things that make rustic Italian dishes so beautiful is their ability to transport you to the Italian countryside, with each bite bringing to mind the rolling hills, sun-ripened tomatoes, and fragrant herbs of the Mediterranean.

One of the most iconic rustic Italian dishes is the humble pizza, which originated in Naples and has since become a worldwide favorite. The secret to a truly beautiful pizza is the quality of the dough, which should be soft and pillowy, with a crispy, blistered crust. Toppings should be kept simple, with just a few high-quality ingredients such as fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and a scattering of basil leaves.

Another rustic Italian classic is pasta alla carbonara, a creamy pasta dish made with eggs, pancetta, and Parmesan cheese. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, with just a few ingredients coming together to create a rich, luxurious sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.

Other rustic Italian dishes to try include bruschetta, a simple appetizer made with toasted bread and toppings such as diced tomatoes and basil, and cacio e pepe, a pasta dish made with just cheese and pepper.

Whether you’re enjoying a simple pizza at a neighborhood trattoria or a hearty bowl of pasta at a family-run restaurant, rustic Italian dishes are a true celebration of the beauty and simplicity of good food. So for the principal dish you’ve been waiting for, here is the recipe for Anchovy Pesto Pasta:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 oil-packed anchovy fillets, drained
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 ounces pasta of your choice

Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, and anchovy fillets. Process until finely chopped.
3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth.
4. Transfer the pesto to a small bowl and stir in the parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. When the pasta is done, drain it and return it to the pot. Add the pesto and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
6. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Enjoy and if you’re a garlic girl like me, add extra garlic because you can never have too much garlic!