Description
Dirty Martini Pasta is a creamy, briny, and bold dish that captures the essence of the iconic cocktail in pasta form, featuring olives, tangy cheese, and a silky smooth sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rigatoni, penne, or fettuccine
- 1 cup Castelvetrano or green olives, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive brine (from the olive jar)
- 1 cup heavy cream or plant-based alternative
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese or whipped feta
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup white grape juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- In a large pan, melt butter and sauté shallots and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Add chopped olives and deglaze with white grape juice. Let simmer and reduce slightly.
- Stir in olive brine and cream. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Crumble in blue cheese or whipped feta. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and splash of pasta water. Stir vigorously to emulsify the sauce.
- Finish with lemon zest, juice, black pepper, and red chili flakes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more brine or cheese if desired.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or a light salad.
Notes
Optional: For extra umami, add 1 tsp miso paste to the sauce. For a vegetarian version, use whipped feta instead of blue cheese. The sauce should be glossy and coat the pasta evenly without pooling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
