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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Pasta

    Checca Sauce with Spaghetti

    Published: Aug 14, 2017 · Modified: Sep 2, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 20 Comments

    VegetarianQuick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    pasta with checca sauce rolled up on a fork

    The simplest recipes are often the best. Not to say that complicated food can't be delicious, because of course it can. But I leave that to the restaurateurs, and thank them for the effort! But for me, and I think for most home cooks, utterly simple yet fantastic dishes are the goal. This checca sauce with spaghetti (pasta alla checca) qualifies.

    Checca Sauce with Spaghetti served in a white bowl
    What is checca sauce?

    It is a raw pasta sauce made by combining summer superstar ingredients like vibrant and sweet heirloom tomatoes, delicately spicy young garlic, the minty licorice sparkle of fresh basil, creamy fresh mozzarella and briny olives, then toss them with hot, freshly cooked pasta and voilà, a king's dish!

    Ingredients for Checca Sauce or Pasta Alla Checca
    How to Make Checca Sauce or Pasta Alla Checca

    When you need dinner in a hurry and you're lucky enough to be in the peak of tomato season, this is the easiest (and I would argue most delicious) pasta recipe there is! Dinner on the table in 15 minutes. (You can also make your own pasta with this easy food processor pasta dough.) And if you have a hearty appetite, this is wonderful served with a hunk of Cheesy Garlic Bread!

    For more easy pasta dish inspiration, don't miss Pasta Aglio e Olio, Tuna Pasta (with another no cook sauce) and Bucatini all'Amatriciana, a couple of my favorites!

    Checca Sauce Recipe Video

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    Checca Sauce with Spaghetti

    Marissa Stevens
    Get creative with this simple dish: try other fresh herbs, spice it up with some minced jalepeno or serrano pepper, use Parmesan or chèvre instead of mozzarella.
    5 from 3 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 675 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces spaghetti
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil or more
    • 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
    • 4 large heirloom tomatoes any variety, cut into bite size chunks
    • 24 pitted kalamata olives or a mix of green and black, coarsely chopped
    • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cut into bite size chunks
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • a handful of basil leaves thinly sliced

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to package directions.
    • Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients, except basil, in a large bowl (large enough to hold the pasta too) and gently stir to combine.
    • Season raw sauce to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    • When pasta is al dente, scoop the pasta directly over the sauce and gently toss to combine.
    • Add more olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle basil slices over the top and serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 675kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 26gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 744mgPotassium: 680mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1994IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 338mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword date night, easy, quick, summer, vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Pasta

    • Garlic Butter Noodles
    • Shrimp Fra Diavolo
    • Tuna Pasta
    • Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kim Kautzer says

      August 16, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      5 stars
      Fresh, easy, delicious, and beautiful -- the caprese version of spaghetti! Marissa, this is my absolute favorite way to use our garden heirlooms at their peak of summer ripeness. I'm only sorry it took me a few years to leave you a comment telling you how much we love your recipe for checca sauce.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        August 18, 2022 at 11:15 am

        aww...you made my day, Kim! Such a sweet comment. Thank you for coming back to let me know!!

        Reply
    2. Helen @ Scrummy Lane says

      August 22, 2017 at 6:55 am

      I ADORE this idea, Marissa. I think I've made something similar at home before, but I didn't realise it was 'a thing'!

      I certainly didn't know it was called checca sauce, so thank you for teaching me! Delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        August 23, 2017 at 11:40 am

        My pleasure, Helen!

        Reply
    3. Sabrina says

      August 19, 2017 at 10:59 am

      This is one of the best things to do with summer tomatoes! I'm totally craving this pasta now!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 19, 2017 at 3:49 pm

        Come on over, I'll make you a bowl! xo

        Reply
    4. annie@ciaochowbambina says

      August 17, 2017 at 9:42 am

      5 stars
      I am a huge fan of simple, delicious and satisfying meals...and this checks all the boxes! Plus - it's beautiful to boot! Love it, Marissa! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 18, 2017 at 3:34 pm

        Such a sweet comment. Thank you, Annie!

        Reply
    5. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      August 16, 2017 at 11:24 am

      5 stars
      I've never heard of 'checca' before, but I do know that all of this sounds divine! Plus, how fun is it to say 'checca'?? If only I had this in front of me right now!! Love all those gorgeous colours and especially that cheese 😉 Pinning! XO

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 18, 2017 at 3:36 pm

        checca, checca, checca!! It really is fun to say. 😉 Thanks, friend!

        Reply
    6. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      August 14, 2017 at 6:12 pm

      Although I do like making some sophisticated/whimsical/odd etc meals (Just cause it's a fun), I agree there's nothing better than a simple dish like pasta and cheese, a vegetable salad, or even bread&oil. You've got a very delicious dish here, Marissa. It's a quintessence of the best summer pasta, I think.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 18, 2017 at 3:36 pm

        Thanks, Ben! I'm all about simple and delicious when it comes to cooking!

        Reply
    7. Dorothy Dunton says

      August 19, 2016 at 2:54 pm

      Hi Marissa! Fresh is always the best bounty of summer! We are enjoying corn and tomatoes and peppers! Oh, and fresh herbs! Our figs are just starting to ripen and we will have an abundance! The birds get most of the blueberries 🙁 but they leave the figs alone. Did you see that Nagi's Mum has started a blog ? Recipe Tin Japan! She posted about it today!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 22, 2016 at 2:18 pm

        Hi Dorothy! I admit a twinge of jealousy over that garden of yours! Fresh figs!? One of my favorites...do you eat them whole or cook with them or both?

        I'm really excited about Nagi's mom's blog - we've been experimenting with some Japanese dishes regularly and I can't wait to try some of the recipes she's already posted!

        Reply
    8. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says

      August 19, 2016 at 8:03 am

      I totally agree - simple dishes are often the best! Especially when you're working with top-quality ingredients like in-season heirloom tomatoes...yum! This looks like the perfect summer supper for two, especially with the addition of mozzarella...no way could I say no!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 22, 2016 at 2:19 pm

        Thank you, Faith!! xo

        Reply
    9. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      August 19, 2016 at 5:22 am

      This is heavenly Marissa! And not just because I am tired of winter food 😛 BTW I saw your PB cookies and I really need to give those a go too! 😀

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 22, 2016 at 2:20 pm

        Thank you, Lorraine! I'd love to make you a batch of those PB sandwich cookies! If you end up making them, I'd love to hear how it goes. xo

        Reply
    10. Tom B says

      August 18, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      Marissa you are on a roll with GREAT summer recipes.
      Sometimes the simplest combinations are overlooked.
      How can anyone justify eating processed quick meals with a recipe like this is just minutes away.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 22, 2016 at 2:21 pm

        Wow, Tom - thank you!! And I agree completely - it's amazing what delicious things you can whip up with peak ingredients!!

        Reply

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