Serves a Crowd
Craig Claiborne's Pasta con Asparagi
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46 Reviews
NXL
March 8, 2021
Unfortunately, I was disappointed with this recipe. I simmered the sauce for the full ten minutes, but it still tasted of canned tomatoes.
Apryl
January 13, 2020
Delicious! Tasted so fresh and authentic. I used a can of San Marzano crushed tomatoes instead of stewed and it was super simple and tasted amazing. Maybe made it a little more “tomatoey” but super delicious. Will absolutely make again. Next time I might throw in some red pepper flakes for a bit of a kick...
Carly M.
June 9, 2018
This was AMAZING. I cooked my asparagus longer because I like it a bit more tender but otherwise followed this to the letter and it’s a new favorite for sure!
LeslieSpaghetti
March 3, 2018
Made this last night. Yum Yum!
Used broccoli in place of asparagus and left out the eggs.
Used broccoli in place of asparagus and left out the eggs.
jilladavis
April 20, 2017
I made this last night. It was wonderful. My modifications:
1. I cooked a pound of mild Italian sausage separately. Folded it in with asparagus.
2. I realized that I had forgotten to buy the plum tomatoes. The only substitute I had on hand was cheap tomato sauce in a jar, the kind I let the kids make pizza with. I was mortified but used it. And guess what? This recipe masked the cheapness of that sauce. I think adding the eggs smooths out whatever sauce you use.
3. Next time, I think I'll add pieces of fresh basil to the sauce at the very end, to add some color.
1. I cooked a pound of mild Italian sausage separately. Folded it in with asparagus.
2. I realized that I had forgotten to buy the plum tomatoes. The only substitute I had on hand was cheap tomato sauce in a jar, the kind I let the kids make pizza with. I was mortified but used it. And guess what? This recipe masked the cheapness of that sauce. I think adding the eggs smooths out whatever sauce you use.
3. Next time, I think I'll add pieces of fresh basil to the sauce at the very end, to add some color.
Melissa
May 24, 2016
Great and quick! I did add a couple slices worth of diced bacon, but other than that, didn't make any changes.
leigh F.
June 3, 2015
This was ok. It made too much sauce. Definitely make a pound of pasta. I thought the tomato sauce overwhelmed the asparagus. You couldn't really taste them. It would have been better after you cook them in butter to add some garlic and pasta water.
Jim C.
April 11, 2015
I took the easy way out and just added diced plum tomatoes out of the can which worked perfectly . Next time I'm going to add a few capers too.
GuysEnPlace
August 30, 2014
Easily the best pasta I've ever had/made. I usually keep the garlic in the sauce when I make it because I'm a big garlic person.
KirstenS
May 10, 2014
OMG I've been saving this recipe since last spring and it was the bomb. The eggs give it a richness that put it over the top.
One question: the tomatoes didn't really pass thru a sieve; it liquidied them. What should the texture of the tomatoes ultimately be?
One question: the tomatoes didn't really pass thru a sieve; it liquidied them. What should the texture of the tomatoes ultimately be?
samanthaalison
May 5, 2014
I definitely liked it, but I didn't think it was quite as "genius" as some other recipes from the series.
ATG117
May 5, 2014
Made this and loved that it gave me a new, simple pasta technique to add to my arsenal. I may give it a squeeze of lemon juice or maybe just some zest next time.
Nancy
March 17, 2014
The author states it's a mashup of tomato, asparagus and carbonara. I've read thru recipe and all comments, where's the carbonara? I made this exactly as called for and also made roasted veges on side. Pasta was good, but when I added my roasted peppers, onions, fennel, & mushrooms, it really took it up a notch. Wondering if pancetta was supposed to be in this dish?.. it needed something in my opinion.
timothy_burks
February 14, 2014
Thanks JohnL!
I already have the Olive Oil Cake on deck...and will check out the Edward Giobbi recipe
I already have the Olive Oil Cake on deck...and will check out the Edward Giobbi recipe
Maureen
January 12, 2014
This may be the best pasta recipe ever. I followed the recipe except for doubling the amount of garlic and added rotisserie chicken for protein. This was as good as any pasta I've eaten in a good Italian restaurant.
Mom24
July 24, 2013
This sounded, and looked, delicious. I was so disappointed. It needed something acidic to brighten the flavor. The asparagus was absolutely delicious, until I added it into everything. I think I may try it again and leave out the eggs, as soon as I added them everything just seem to dull.
NoToxAmy
June 19, 2013
I made this but had to use frozen peas as I didn't have any asparagus handy and it worked just fine. I let the peas thaw and tossed them into the sauce just before adding the egg. Yum!
Angelica
June 14, 2013
Sounds delish...but anyone know if this can be veganised? I can omit the butter and cheese garnish but what about the egg? Thanks!
Kristen M.
June 14, 2013
It won't be creamy, but it will still probably be tasty -- you can add some extra olive oil and/or pasta cooking water to make it saucier.
ktjk
August 29, 2016
Olive oil and eggs alone make it pretty damn creamy if you ask me (works for mayo!). Sometimes I just up the number of eggs until I get the consistency just right. I usually increase the salt to make up for the parm.
mmann15
June 2, 2013
Can someone please explain "put through a sieve or grated coarsely" since those would produce different results? What is the preferred texture and amount of the tomatoes and what is the best method for achieving it? Thanks!
timothy_burks
June 2, 2013
I've made this several times...push the tomatoes through a sieve...I use a 14.5 oz can of plum tomatoes...turns out perfect
lunalovegood
June 2, 2013
I just measured out 2 cups of whole tomatoes in puree, and then finely chopped each one. I feel like it's a pretty forgiving recipe; you don't have to be too exact.
Jacob M.
April 25, 2014
I just pulled the whole tomatoes out of the sauce and diced them, then added everything.
Rick W.
May 28, 2013
very more-ish! I was sceptical that this would work as it had little base ingredients and I'm used to making my pasta sauces with the classic onion, carrot, celery and garlic foundation.
However was happily proved wrong as this is a nicely balanced dish with complementing delicate flavours which make the asparagus sing.
A great summer dish.
One thing I would recommend is sauté the asparagus seperately near the end as mine went cold by the time the sauce and pasta were ready to mix in.
However was happily proved wrong as this is a nicely balanced dish with complementing delicate flavours which make the asparagus sing.
A great summer dish.
One thing I would recommend is sauté the asparagus seperately near the end as mine went cold by the time the sauce and pasta were ready to mix in.
Rae R.
May 26, 2013
Wow! One of those delicious food miracles. The sauce complimented the asparagus perfectly. My much used copy of the NYT Cookbook predates this recipe, but like many of Craig Claiborne's recipes it seems timeless.
crazyblues
May 16, 2013
really enjoyed this... didn't have asparagus, so I experimented with other vegetables cut in 2 inch lengths. yummy sauce, the eggs a marvel!
jlriddell
May 15, 2013
Really enjoyed this. Very luscious without being over rich. Good weeknight meal.
timothy_burks
May 15, 2013
I love Craig Claiborne's recipes. They are made to entertain. The man was brilliant, witty and a wonderful host.
JohnL
February 14, 2014
Craig was awesome. He loved Edward Giobbi's recipes. If you haven't tried it yet, Edward Giobbi's Spaghetti alla Foriana recipe on this site is something WONDERFUL. I think Craig would also have approved of the Olive Oil Cake recipe that went up recently. I can't keep out of it. And it's dangerously easy to throw together.
JohnL
May 5, 2014
Mirta, It's Maialino's Olive Oil Cake on this website. It has an orange flavor. I also like Cat Cora's "Olive Oil Cake Ladi Torta" on Food Networks site. It has a little finely chopped almond in the batter and tends more to a lemon flavor. Both are wonderful and wonderfully easy cakes.
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