Pasta alla Carrettiera is a delightful and straightforward recipe known for its deliciousness and simplicity. One of its great advantages is that it can be prepared using common pantry ingredients* found in most households.

Total Cost and Cost per Portion:

The total cost for preparing “Spaghetti alla Carrettiera” for 4 people is 8 dollars and 69 cents, therefore the cost per person is 2 dollars and 17 cents.

The bar plot below shows how much each ingredient’s cost affects the total cost. Pecorino Romano Cheese represents the highest cost among the ingredients.

The bar plot below shows the weight of the ingredients in grams.

The Role of Pecorino Cheese and The Importance of Cheese Aging:

One of the key ingredients that significantly influences costs as well as the taste and texture of Pasta alla Carrettiera is Pecorino Romano cheese. The cost of the dish can also vary based on the quality of the ingredients and whether they are organic or not.

The quantity and aging of Pecorino Romano cheese play a crucial role in the final result of this recipe. The aging process, which ranges from five to eight months and longer for grated versions, significantly impacts the dish. It’s worth noting that less-aged Pecorino may result in a more” stringy” texture.

Tips:

If you’re looking to maintain the creaminess of the dish while reducing the amount of cheese used, consider a “risotto-like” variation of the pasta, which I’ve recommended in the Pasta alla Carrettiera recipe here. The starch of the pasta will provide the creamy texture.

Buying certain ingredients in bulk can be cost-effective. Personally, I prefer purchasing organic extra virgin olive oil in 3-liter cans, which can be a wise choice for budget-conscious cooks.

In addition to Pecorino Romano cheese, there are other delightful variations of Pecorino cheese, such as Pecorino Toscano and Pecorino Sardo, each offering distinct flavors and textures for your culinary experiments.

*Quick Note about Pantry Essentials:

What does a well-stocked pantry contain?

The cost for preparing Pasta alla Carrettiera can often be minimal since you likely already have many of these items at home.

Typically, a well-stocked pantry includes everyday staples like salt, sugar, extra virgin olive oil, a selection of seasoned cheeses such as Parmigiano or Pecorino, flour, baking or yeast, a variety of spices, jarred vegetables, canned tomatoes, milk, pasta, rice, coffee, tea, preserves, honey, cookies, and assorted canned goods.

References

Toia, P. (2022, January 9). Cosa non deve mancare mai in dispensa in inverno? La Cucina Italiana. https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/tutorial/i-consigli/come-organizzare-dispensa-inverno/#:~:text=In%20una%20dispensa%20davvero%20pronta

Wikipedia. (2022, December 7). Pecorino Romano. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecorino_Romano

*Cost of Spaghetti alla Carrettiera for 4 people, almost all ingredients are organic, prices on August 24, 2023