Penne Pasta with Huancaina Sauce

Penne Pasta with Huancaina Sauce

Penne Pasta with Huancaina Sauce

Huancaina is a popular Peruvian creamy and spicy cheese sauce made with aji amarillo paste. It is used on a lot starchy carbs such as potatoes, rice, and pasta. The preparation is really simple. All of the sauce ingredients get puréed in a blender, then heated with milk. I chose to mix in penne pasta and top with parmesan and parsley.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: peruvian
Keyword: Latin American, main course, noodles, pasta, peruvian, side dish
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor

Ingredients

  • 1 lb dry penne pasta prepared according to package directions
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 medium red onion chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup aji amarillo paste
  • 1 cup queso fresco diced
  • 4 soda crackers
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • salt to taste

Garnish

  • parmesan cheese
  • parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Heat up cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Sauté the onions and garlic for 5 minutes.
    Peruvian, side dish, main course
  • Add the evaporated milk, aji amarillo paste, queso fresco, soda crackers, and sautéed onions and garlic to a blender or food processor. Purée until smooth.
    Peruvian, side dish, main course
  • Pour the sauce and whole milk into a large deep sauce pan over medium heat. Simmer for 6-8 minutes, stirring consistently.
    Peruvian, side dish, main course
  • Add in the cooked penne pasta. Mix to make sure it is evenly coated. Cook for 3-4 more minutes.
    Peruvian, side dish, main course
  • Turn off the heat. Garnish with parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
    Peruvian, main course, side dish
Peruvian, main course, side dish
Serve as a side dish or even as a main course.