Spaghetti with Asparagus, Smoked Mozzarella, and Proscuitto

By MKMILLION

Ingredients

• 2 pounds asparagus spears, trimmed
• 3/4 pound spaghetti
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 ounces prosciutto, sliced thin
• 6 ounces smoked mozzarella, diced
• 6 tablespoons basil leaves, sliced thin
• salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation

Step 1

1. Cook asparagus in large pot of salted boiling water until crisp tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from water using slotted spoon and put in bowl of ice water to halt cooking process. When cool strain and cut into 1" pieces, set aside.
2. Return water to boil add additional water if needed. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta and reserve 1 cup of cooking water.
3. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add asparagus to skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add pasta and if needed some of the reserve cooking water. Toss to coat. Add proscuitto, mozzarella, and basil. Toss to combine. Place in pasta bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.