The Surprising Ingredient Jimmy Kimmel Uses to Make Creamy Pasta Without a Drop of Dairy
When you think of late night TV host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, you most likely picture his well-suited presence every weeknight on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, his ongoing feud with Matt Damon, the Oscars, and of course, his sidekick Guillermo. But when it comes to Jimmy Kimmel's life off-camera, it turns out his cooking skills are pretty sharp, as evidenced by the fact that he's created a dish that his two kids request on a regular basis.
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In an Instagram video posted in 2020, Jimmy Kimmel shares how to make 'Pasta Tina' and explains "it’s one of few things my kids eat." The name of the pasta dish was made up by his children, Janie and Billy, but the concept was all Kimmel's. Pasta Tina starts with any small-size pasta—Kimmel uses pastina, a tiny star-shaped pasta. Then, he makes a simple sauce that's a combo of garlic, olive oil, soup base, and one secret ingredient that boasts the dish's creaminess and nourishment all at once: cannellini beans.
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Why You Should Use Cannellini Beans to Make Creamy Pasta Sauce
Kimmel's addition of blended cannellini beans creates a creamy Alfredo-like sauce without a drop of dairy. The pureed beans also add protein and fiber to the dish. To bump up the umami, Kimmel mixes in some chicken or vegetable soup base. Looking for more protein? Kimmel suggests pureeing an egg and adding it to the hot pasta mixture when it's finished cooking. It will cook quickly and even more non-dairy richness to the dish. And if you don't have a can of cannellini beans on hand, reach for chickpeas instead for a similar result.
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How to Make Pasta with Cannellini Beans
To make pasta like Jimmy Kimmel, heat a large pot of salted water and cook your pasta according to package directions. While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Pour a little bit of the liquid out of the can of beans, then blend the remaining beans and liquid until smooth. Kimmel does this right in the can using an immersion blender, but you can also do it in a blender or food processor.
Smash and peel a few cloves of garlic (Kimmel uses three) and cook them in a bit of olive oil until the garlic softens and is lightly golden. Kimmel removes the garlic cloves for his kiddos, but you can leave the garlic in the dish if your eaters are ok with that. Add the pureed beans to the garlic-infused oil, along with a spoonful of chicken or vegetable soup base (Kimmel likes the brand Minor's). Drain the pasta, transfer it to the pot of sauce and toss to combine. Serve with good Parmesan cheese.
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