The Powerful Fresh Herb Your Pasta Needs Now (And It's Not Basil)

A pinch of fresh herbs doesn't seem like much in a sea of tender pasta and luscious sauces, but the power it holds is surprisingly immense. It's the pop of brightness that cuts through all that richness with ease, the subtle aromatic touch that lingers memorably in the aftertaste, and most importantly, the final piece needed to transform the most ordinary dishes. No wonder parsley and basil keep appearing in pasta — they're undeniably crucial to the pasta-eating experience, and they're not the only ones to consider, either. If you're in the mood for something different, don't overlook mint and its marvelous (yet often underestimated) potential.

Mint's usual playground may be desserts and drinks, but this herb is capable of so much more, and pasta is just the dish to explore it. There's a unique delight in scooping up a forkful of flavor-packed pasta and tasting the mint's cooling sensation peeking through in each bite. Fresh and vibrant, it has a way of balancing out the heavy savory notes without stealing the spotlight or dimming their shine. In the undertone also lies a subtle sweetness, popping up every now and then to layer more intrigue into the dish. It's a flavor complexity that doesn't come up right away but slowly unravels as you're digging in. Whether you're striving for comfort or fine-dining refinement, it's an effortless twist that's really worth a try.

Mint's flavors lie perfectly between subtle and vibrant, so there are many different approaches you can take with it. You can make it one of the main ingredients and have a simple pasta laden with herbaceous brightness. For example, even though brown butter and parmesan are usually the only two ingredients needed for an easy, decadent pasta, it only gets better when dotted with hints of mint. On the light and fresh side, a regular lemon spaghetti can be quite a treat when met with mint's cooling touch, and perhaps some green peas as well.

Of course, mint doesn't always need to be at the forefront to make an impact. Blended into sauces, its distinctive notes still have no problem shining through. If you think a regular pesto pasta is already good, wait until you taste an almond mint pesto and how well its earthy, minty vibrancy captivates the palate. Sneaking into a hearty tomato sauce, it's good enough to make even the most familiar spaghetti dish refreshing and exciting. Spiciness isn't all that difficult for it to embrace, either. Just blend it with cheese, oil, garlic, and chile peppers for a tongue-tingling sauce that takes your senses on a flavor rollercoaster. Contrastingly, pairing mint with yogurt and cucumber is great for a palate-soothing treat, especially on those summer days when you can't fathom eating hot food in the sweltering heat.