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Dirty Martini Pasta with olives and creamy cheese sauce

Dirty Martini Pasta


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  • Author: Matteo
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

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

  1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large pan, melt butter and sauté shallots and garlic until soft and fragrant.
  3. Add chopped olives and deglaze with white grape juice. Let simmer and reduce slightly.
  4. Stir in olive brine and cream. Simmer until slightly thickened.
  5. Crumble in blue cheese or whipped feta. Stir until melted and smooth.
  6. Add cooked pasta and splash of pasta water. Stir vigorously to emulsify the sauce.
  7. Finish with lemon zest, juice, black pepper, and red chili flakes.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with more brine or cheese if desired.
  9. 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