Mascarpone Pasta

This is a fake-out macaroni and cheese. It's quick, simple (just boil some water), delicious, and makes a great accompaniment to fried chicken.

Ingredients:
2 cups short cut pasta (I used ditalini)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
6 to 8 basil leaves
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
3 slices of Serrano ham
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
salt for the pasta water

I'm growing basil in my garden - look how lovely.

Stack the basil leaves, roll them up, and cut into ribbons with a knife. This technique is called a "chiffonade."

Cook the pasta (in salted water, of course) and reserve about 1/4 of the pasta water before you drain it.

In a large bowl, add parmesan cheese (freshly grated), mascarpone cheese, and basil. Add in the cooked pasta and stir. Add in enough leftover pasta water to help create a saucy consistency. Lastly, tear up some Serrano ham and add in the black pepper and give it one last toss.

This dish can be served either warm or room temperature. Enjoy!