The Ultimate Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe: A Taste of Italy

Nestled in the heart of southern Italy, spaghetti alla nerano whispers stories of naples’ culinary magic.

Zucchini, sliced paper-thin, dance with golden-crisp edges in this iconic dish.

Locals cherish each bite as a testament to simplicity and flavor.

Fragrant basil and sharp pecorino romano cheese weave their enchantment through tender pasta strands.

Generations have passed down this recipe, protecting its delicate balance of ingredients.

Skilled home cooks understand that patience transforms humble vegetables into something extraordinary.

We invite you to recreate this legendary southern italian treasure and savor a genuine taste of naples.

Why Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe Is A Pasta Lover’s Dream

• Savor Quick Zucchini Magic: This recipe transforms simple zucchini into crispy, golden delights in just minutes, making it a speedy side dish or pasta companion that feels like a gourmet experience.
• Master Simple Frying Technique: By cooking zucchini in small batches, home cooks can achieve perfect golden edges and a crispy texture, which elevates the vegetable from ordinary to extraordinary with minimal cooking skills.
• Customize Your Comfort: The straightforward method allows easy adaptation for different dietary preferences, whether you want to serve it as a side, mix into pasta, or enjoy as a standalone vegetable dish that appeals to both adults and kids.
• Zero Complicated Equipment: Using just a frying pan and paper towels, this recipe requires no special kitchen gadgets, making it accessible for anyone with basic cooking tools and a desire to create delicious food quickly.

What You’ll Need For Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe

Main Ingredients:

Zucchini: Fresh, young zucchini provide the heart of this classic Italian dish with a sweet, delicate flavor and creamy texture when fried.

Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin olive oil helps achieve perfect golden frying and adds rich Mediterranean flavor.

• Provolone del Monaco, Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, aged cheeses create a deep, complex flavor profile with a smooth melting quality that binds the dish together. Look for authentic, well-aged varieties for best results.

• Salt: Essential for enhancing the natural flavors of zucchini and balancing the dish's richness.
• Basil Leaves: Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic note that complements the fried zucchini and cheese. Choose bright green, fragrant leaves for maximum flavor.

How To Make Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe At Home

Step 1: Prepare Zucchini Slices

Wash and slice zucchini into thin, uniform rounds. Pat the slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a perfect golden crispiness during frying.

Step 2: Crisp Up Zucchini

• Edges turn golden brown
• Surfaces develop a light crispy texture
• Zucchini looks slightly translucent

Flip slices midway to ensure even cooking, typically 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 3: Drain and Season Zucchini

Transfer fried zucchini onto a paper towel-lined plate. Let excess oil absorb into the towels. Sprinkle a gentle layer of salt over the zucchini to enhance its natural flavors.

Step 4: Cook Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook until it reaches al dente consistency, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve some pasta water before draining.

Step 5: Create Creamy Cheese Sauce

• Provolone cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Stir gently to create a smooth, velvety base.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

Fold the crispy zucchini slices into the melted cheese sauce. Add drained spaghetti, tossing everything together. Use reserved pasta water to achieve desired sauce consistency.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Fresh basil leaves
• Additional grated Parmesan
• Cracked black pepper

Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Tips For Making Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe Just Right

• Maximize Zucchini Crispiness: Pat zucchini slices completely dry before frying to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior without excess moisture.
• Control Oil Temperature: Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain consistent oil heat around 350°F, preventing soggy or greasy zucchini slices.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Let fried zucchini rest on paper towels to absorb excess oil, then sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt to enhance natural vegetable sweetness.
• Perfect Batch Frying: Work in small batches to prevent overcrowding the pan, which can lower oil temperature and lead to uneven cooking.
• Drain and Rest Technique: Allow fried zucchini to sit for a few minutes before adding to the pasta, letting excess oil drain and helping maintain their crispy texture.

How To Store Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe Without Trouble

• Refrigerate leftover spaghetti alla Nerano in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
• Cool the dish completely before storing to prevent condensation and maintain texture.
• Gently reheat in a skillet with a splash of olive oil to help restore the pasta's moisture and revive the crispy zucchini edges.
• Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the zucchini soggy and compromise the dish's delightful crispiness.
• Freeze the components separately for best results – store zucchini and pasta in different containers to preserve their individual textures.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat carefully to maintain the original flavors and consistency.

Great Matches For Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe

• Savor Crisp White Wine Pairing: Fresh, zesty Italian white wines like Falanghina or Greco di Tufo beautifully complement the golden zucchini's richness, cutting through the fried texture with bright acidity.
• Enhance with Rustic Bread Side: Crusty Italian ciabatta or focaccia provides the perfect crunchy contrast to the soft spaghetti, allowing diners to mop up delicious zucchini-infused oils and sauces.
• Match with Herbaceous Salad: A light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette offers a peppery, fresh counterpoint to the deep-fried zucchini, balancing the dish's creamy and crispy elements.
• Balance with Chilled Prosecco: Sparkling Prosecco's effervescence and light sweetness cleanse the palate between bites, complementing the rich, golden-fried zucchini and creating a delightful dining experience.

Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe Variations Worth Trying

• Zucchini Ribbons Delight: Use a vegetable peeler to create thin zucchini ribbons instead of round slices, providing a delicate texture and elegant presentation for the dish.
• Herb-Infused Zucchini: Add fresh basil or thyme leaves to the olive oil while frying zucchini, introducing aromatic herbaceous notes that enhance the vegetable's natural flavor.
• Spicy Mediterranean Kick: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of paprika during the frying process to create a subtle heat and warm undertone in the spaghetti alla Nerano.
• Grilled Zucchini Alternative: Replace pan-frying with grilling zucchini slices for a smoky flavor profile and lighter cooking method, achieving similar golden-crisp edges.

FAQs About Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe

• What makes Spaghetti alla Nerano unique?

Spaghetti alla Nerano is a classic southern Italian dish from Naples that celebrates zucchini as the star ingredient. It’s famous for its crispy fried zucchini and rich, creamy cheese sauce that creates an incredible flavor combination.

• Why do I need to fry zucchini in batches?

Frying zucchini in batches ensures each slice gets evenly golden and crispy without overcrowding the pan. This technique prevents steaming and helps achieve that perfect crisp texture that’s crucial to the dish’s authentic taste.

• What type of zucchini works best for this recipe?

Young, firm zucchini with thin skin work best. Look for medium-sized zucchini that are bright green and free from blemishes. Smaller zucchini tend to have a sweeter flavor and less water content, which helps with achieving crispy results.

• Can I make this dish healthier?

While traditional Spaghetti alla Nerano is rich, you can use less oil when frying and choose a lighter cheese. Draining the zucchini thoroughly on paper towels also helps reduce excess oil absorption.

Spaghetti Alla Nerano Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy zucchini and cheese dance together in this classic Spaghetti alla Nerano, showcasing Naples’ culinary magic. Southern Italian charm meets simple ingredients, creating a comfort dish that whispers summer’s warmth to hungry souls.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti

Vegetables:

• 3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cheeses and Seasonings:

• 1 cup (100 grams) Provolone del Monaco cheese, grated
• ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, torn
• Lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Warm a generously sized skillet with olive oil, bringing it to a sizzling medium-high temperature.
2. Carefully lower zucchini slices into the hot oil, allowing each piece to transform into a golden-edged delicacy with crisp exterior and tender interior.
3. Gently remove zucchini using a slotted spatula, transferring each slice onto an absorbent paper towel to eliminate excess grease, then delicately sprinkle with a whisper of salt to enhance its natural flavors.

Notes

• Choose zucchini that are firm and uniform in size for even cooking and crispy texture.
• Pat zucchini completely dry before frying to prevent oil splattering and ensure golden crispiness.
• Use a deep, heavy-bottomed pan to maintain consistent oil temperature and achieve perfect golden-brown color.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying zucchini slices, which can lead to steaming instead of crispy frying.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg