Maltagliati pasta with pear, gorgonzola and walnut sauce
There are certain rich and flavourful pasta dishes to which it is virtually impossible to say no. One example is maltagliati – a traditional pasta shape - with pears, blue cheese and walnuts which, if prepared to perfection following our recipe here, will provide you and your guests with a moment of real magic. Ideally make your own maltagliati at home, but if you don’t have the time to try your hand at making egg pasta you can also buy maltagliati or another type of pasta to your liking, ready-made. Even pasta such as macaroni or orecchiette go perfectly with this sauce. As for the sauce, gorgonzola and walnuts are well-known to go very well together. But perhaps you are concerned, or at least intrigued, by the addition of pears? Don’t worry: in some savoury dishes fruit goes perfectly, creating a blend rich in flavour but with a light, refreshing note that gives balance to the dish, just as in this case. In short, you should try it!
Ingredients
* approximate values per serving
Preparation
Prepare the egg pasta according to our basic recipe, then roll it out to medium thickness and cut out the pasta shape with a knife in an irregular way. Peel the pear and cut into 1cm cubes. Sauté the pear in a pan with some butter until tender. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 3 minutes, then mix it with the gorgonzola in a pan with a dash of cream, the chopped walnuts and the cooked pears. Serve with a few nuts and some pieces of uncooked pear as decoration. Finish with a sprinkling of freshly ground pepper.
Step by step
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Fry the peeled and sliced pears in a little butter, then add the coarsely chopped walnuts
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Add the gorgonzola to the pan such that it melts gently
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Loosen the sauce with the fresh cream
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Boil the pasta for 5 minutes in salted water, then drain and mix with the sauce in the pan
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Serve in an aesthetically pleasing way
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Create a decorative effect with finely sliced pear shaped like a fan
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This fantastic recipe is ready: quick, with simple flavours, and completely vegetarian
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Additional information
Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, walnuts, and potatoes
A delicious variant of Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts is the addition of potatoes. To prepare this dish, you can boil some potatoes and mash them to obtain a smooth puree. Then, you can incorporate this puree into the pasta dough to make the maltagliati even softer and more substantial. Once prepared, follow the original recipe to dress the maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts. The potatoes will add extra creaminess to the dish, perfectly balancing the strong flavor of gorgonzola and the sweetness of the pears. This combination will make the maltagliati an even richer and more satisfying dish, perfect for special occasions.
Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts in the Emilian style
If you want to try a regional variant, you can prepare Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts in the Emilian style. This traditional dish from Emilia Romagna enhances local flavors by combining fresh pasta with typical ingredients from the area. The egg pasta, prepared according to the traditional recipe, is cut irregularly to create the maltagliati. Gorgonzola, a typical cheese from the region, pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the pears and the crunchiness of the walnuts. For an Emilian touch, you can add a bit of grated parmesan at the end to further enrich the dish. This variant is a tribute to Emilian cuisine, rich in tradition and authentic flavors.
Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts light
If you are looking for a lighter version of Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts, you can opt for a light recipe. In this preparation, you can replace the cream with Greek yogurt, which offers a creamy texture but with fewer calories and fats. Additionally, you can use a light gorgonzola or reduce the amount of cheese to maintain the flavor without overdoing the calories. Finally, you can also decrease the amount of butter used to sauté the pears, opting for a drizzle of olive oil. This light version is perfect for those who want to enjoy a delicious dish without feeling weighed down, while keeping the main flavors of the dish intact.
Nutritional benefits of Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts
Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts are not only a delicious dish but also offer several nutritional benefits. Pears, for example, are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which help maintain heart health and improve digestion. Walnuts, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, are beneficial for the cardiovascular system and can help reduce inflammation. Gorgonzola, while being a creamy and rich cheese, provides protein and calcium, essential for bone health. On average, a serving of Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts contains about 600 calories, but this can vary based on the ingredients used and the portions served.
Can Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts be frozen?
The question of whether Maltagliati with pears, gorgonzola, and walnuts can be frozen is very common among cooking enthusiasts. In general, it is possible to freeze the raw maltagliati before cooking them. Make sure to arrange them on a tray so that they do not stick together and then transfer them to a food bag or airtight container. However, once dressed with gorgonzola and pears, freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the ingredients may deteriorate. To enjoy them best, it is preferable to consume them fresh or store them in the refrigerator for a day or two after preparation.