Creamy Tomato Pappardelle
&
Velvet Garden Gimlet
This is one of those dinners that feels almost too simple to be this good. Just a handful of ingredients from the grocery store, a little time on the stove, and somehow you end up with something that tastes like it came straight out of your favorite Italian restaurant.
The marinara is the only part that takes a bit of time, so get that going first, then pour a cocktail, turn on your playlist, and settle in together while it simmers. This is your window to slow down, connect, and enjoy the rhythm of the night before everything else comes together. Once the sauce is ready, the rest moves quickly. Toss the pasta, top with sausage and cheese, and you’re done.
We’re pairing this with our Velvet Garden Gimlet. It’s silky, smooth, and just the right balance of fresh and floral. We think you’ll love it.
As always, we’ve included a playlist to set the tone, but feel free to choose whatever music fits your mood. Around here, we lean toward soulful, groovy vibes, but date night should always feel like you.
Kevin & Kate
Velvet Garden Gimlet
Creamy Tomato Pappardelle
Your Weekly Essentials
Everything you’ll need to make this meal — plus a few pantry staples you probably already have.
Get the tomatoes going a little early, then shake up a cocktail and leisurely set the table and vibe together.
Enjoy the night with Durand Jones & The Indications, a soulful, laid-back vibe.
notes from the kitchen
Just a few kitchen tips to make the most of this week's ingredients and flavors.
START WITH GOOD TOMATOES
If you can, reach for whole canned San Marzano tomatoes. They’re slightly sweeter and more balanced, and worth the extra couple of dollars for a sauce this simple.
A SWEET ONION MAKES A DIFFERENCE
We love using a sweet onion here to add a subtle richness to the sauce, but any onion you have on hand will work just fine.
PASTA, YOUR WAY
We used pappardelle for this menu, but feel free to use whatever pasta you love or already have in your pantry. Penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti would all be great options.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
We paired this with sweet Italian sausage, but this dish is very flexible. Keep it vegetarian with sautéed zucchini, artichokes, olives, or a mix of your favorite vegetables, or simply enjoy it with the sauce and cheese.
CHEESE MATTERS
We used Pecorino Romano, which is a bit saltier than Parmigiano Reggiano. Be sure to taste and adjust salt at the end based on your preference.
DON’T SKIP THE PASTA WATER
A splash of pasta water helps bring the sauce together and gives it that silky, restaurant-style finish.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
We like to transfer the pasta directly from the pot into the sauce using a spaghetti spoon to keep things easy and minimize cleanup. If you prefer more control, you can always toss everything together in a separate bowl. → Link to our favorite spaghetti spoon
Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.
we hope you enjoy this week. and as always,
Keep the Plates Full and the Spark Alive
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