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This pasta is commonly known as Stanley Tucci zucchini pasta. He helped make Spaghetti alla Nerano well-known after sharing how a lot he cherished it! And I get it. Fried zucchini, basil, pasta water, and cheese come collectively to make the perfect silky, flavorful sauce.

Why Spaghetti alla Nerano Is Value It
- It’s All In regards to the Zucchini: The zucchini is fried first. This provides it a candy, wealthy taste and makes the pasta style so good.
- Easy However So Good: You solely want pasta, zucchini, basil, garlic, and cheese. Easy issues actually do make the perfect meals.
- Don’t Skip the Further Step: Frying the zucchini takes a little bit time, however it’s value it. It offers this pasta its traditional Spaghetti alla Nerano taste.
A Reader’s Evaluate
This pasta recipe shall be an all-time favourite for us!
– Theresa
Spaghetti alla Nerano Substances


- Oil: Sunflower oil works nice, however canola, vegetable, grapeseed, or peanut oil can even work.
- Zucchini: Use about 2 cups of zucchini per serving. It seems to be like quite a bit, but it surely cooks down.
- Don’t Use Frozen Zucchini: Frozen zucchini has an excessive amount of water. It won’t fry effectively.
- Cheese: Provolone del Monaco is the traditional selection. In case you can’t discover it, use caciocavallo, pecorino romano, or good gentle provolone.
- Shred Your Personal Cheese: Skip pre-shredded cheese. Freshly shredded cheese melts significantly better.
- Save the Pasta Water: Pasta water helps the cheese soften into the sauce. It additionally retains the sauce creamy.
- Puree the Sauce: Desire a smoother sauce? Mix the cooked zucchini, then add it again to the pan with the pasta.
Spaghetti alla Nerano Recipe
This Stanley Tucci pasta has just a few further steps, however it’s so value it! The photographs and steps under will show you how to. I wish to fry the zucchini the day earlier than. Then the pasta comes collectively quick! And when you love easy pasta with huge taste, attempt my Cacio e Pepe or Spaghetti Margherita subsequent!
- Fry the Zucchini: Warmth the sunflower oil in a shallow pan. Fry the zucchini slices till they’re mild golden brown.
- Chill the Zucchini: Use a spider strainer or slotted spoon to take away the zucchini from the oil. Place it on a paper towel-lined baking sheet with just a few basil leaves. Cowl and chill for no less than 3 hours.
- Prepare dinner the Pasta: Prepare dinner the spaghetti in line with the bundle instructions. Save 2 cups of pasta water earlier than you drain it.
- Warmth the Garlic and Basil: Add the olive oil, butter, smashed garlic cloves, and a sprig of basil to a big skillet. Prepare dinner over medium warmth till aromatic.
- Mash the Zucchini: Take away the garlic and basil. Add the zucchini to the pan. Prepare dinner over medium-low warmth for 4-5 minutes, mashing it because it cooks.
- Add the Pasta: Add the spaghetti and 1 cup of pasta water to the pan. Toss till the pasta is coated.
- Add the Cheese: Stir within the provolone and parmesan till melted. Add extra pasta water as wanted till the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper, then garnish Spaghetti alla Nerano with recent basil.












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Add 4-6 cups sunflower oil, to a big saucepan or Dutch oven and warmth over medium-high warmth till it reaches 350 levels Fahrenheit.
In the meantime, slice 8 cups zucchini, into ⅛-inch thick medallions. Line a big baking sheet with a number of paper towels, unfold a small handful of recent basil leaves on the paper towels, and put aside.
When the oil reaches frying temperature, fry the zucchini for about 2 minutes, till they’re calmly golden and starting to crisp up, however not fried into chips. It’s finest to do that in batches so that you don’t overcrowd the pan and trigger the oil temperature to drop too low.
Take away the fried zucchini from the oil with a spider or giant slotted spoon and switch to the ready baking sheet.
As soon as all of the zucchini has been fried and cooled to room temperature, cowl the pan and refrigerate it in a single day, or for no less than 3 hours.
Convey a big pot of water to a rolling boil and cook dinner 16 ounces spaghetti noodles, till al dente. Earlier than you pressure the pasta, reserve 2 cups pasta water, for later. Pressure the noodles and put aside.
Warmth a big saucepan or Dutch oven over medium warmth and add 2 tablespoons further virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, and 2 cloves garlic after smashing them open with the flat facet of a knife and a sprig of basil. As soon as the butter is melted and effervescent and the garlic is aromatic, take away the garlic and basil from the pan and add the zucchini.
Prepare dinner the zucchini over medium-low warmth for 4-5 minutes. Use a picket spoon to mash them up as a lot as you prefer to. Add just a few splashes of the pasta water to assist preserve it moistened. In order for you the zucchini fully mashed, you’ll be able to cook dinner it for a couple of minutes extra to permit it to melt additional and break down.
Add the pasta and 1 cup of pasta water to the pan and stir till it’s totally coated within the zucchini. Add 8 ounces provolone del Monaco, and 1 cup parmesan, and stir till they’re melted. Stir in as a lot of the remaining pasta water wanted till the sauce is easy and creamy, then add salt and pepper, to style. Serve instantly.
- Within the Fridge: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat within the microwave in 20-30 second intervals, stirring between every one. Add a splash of reserved pasta water as wanted to loosen the sauce.
- Make Forward: Fry the zucchini as much as 3 days prematurely. Retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge till you’re prepared to complete the pasta.
Energy: 874kcalCarbohydrates: 95gProtein: 41gFats: 37gSaturated Fats: 19gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 13gTrans Fats: 0.2gLdl cholesterol: 71mgSodium: 841mgPotassium: 1009mgFiber: 6gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1365IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 793mgIron: 3mg
Diet data is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.


Common Zucchini Recipes to Love
I really like cooking and baking with zucchini as a result of it takes on the flavors inside every recipe! It’s important to attempt my tacky zucchini rice, this bread, or our favourite zucchini bars with brown butter frosting! You’ll love all of them!


