Cheesy Pasta with Bread Crumb, Nut & Parsley Topping

Cheesy Pasta with Bread Crumb, Nut & Parsley Topping
Recipe by Dragon, adapted from Jaime Oliver

This grown up version of cheesy pasta is pure comfort on a plate. It is also a great way to use up any leftover firm cheeses you may have hanging around your fridge. Mix it up and change the flavour combination to make this your own. My favourite part is the gorgeous crunchy topping.  Enjoy!

Serves: 2 or 1 hungry Dragon

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more to drizzle
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons pine nuts
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup grated aged cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
1/4 lb spaghetti or linguini
Salt to taste

Directions:
1. To a  small frying pan over a medium heat, add olive oil and heat for 1 minute. Add the bread crumbs, garlic and nuts. Fry for 5 minutes, or until the nuts are toasted and the bread crumbs are crispy. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool. Toss in the parsley and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and place a large heatproof bowl on top, essentially make this a double boiler. Add the mascarpone to the bowl along with the other cheeses. Stir until melted. Carefully remove the bowl from the heat and set aside, then turn the heat up to high.

3. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook until it is al dente. Reserve a cupful of cooking water. Drain the pasta and add it to the to the bowl of melted cheese and toss to coat. Add a splash of the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed.

4 Transfer pasta to a serving dish, drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle the top with the reserved bread crumb/nut mixture. Serve immediately.

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