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Makes

4 servings (but easy to double)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup borlotti beans or other fresh beans removed from pods
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 2 sprigs rosemary leaves removed from stems and roughly chopped
  • 3 cups ripe garden tomatoes roughly chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 1 pound fresh egg pasta
  • Grated Parmesan for garnish
  • Extra virgin olive oil for garnish
  • 4 small sprigs oregano for garnish

Instructions

  • To cook the beans: Fill a large pot with water and salt generously. Bring it to a boil. Add the beans and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the beans, reserving 1 cup of the bean liquid, and cool them immediately with cold water to stop the cooking. (You do not want the beans to overcook, as they will turn to mush.)
  • To make the sauce: In a large, shallow, heavy-bottomed pan, warm the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and let soften, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped rosemary and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, a pinch of salt, ground pepper, and the bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and let cook until the sauce thickens, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt, ground pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • To cook the pasta: Fill a large pot with water and salt generously. Bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 5–6 minutes. Warm the sauce over medium heat. Add the beans to it, along with 1 cup of bean water. Once the pasta is cooked, transfer it to the sauce with a set of tongs, bringing a bit of pasta water along with it. You want the sauce to be loose but not liquidy. Toss the pasta in the sauce with the beans for 1 or 2 minutes and then twist nests of pasta into individual bowls. Garnish with a little grated Parmesan, a small pour of good olive oil, and a sprig of oregano.