Pasta e patate

Pasta e patate is an Italian dish that's a typical example of la cucina povera, which uses leftovers and common ingredients to create new dishes. This dish is made with a combination of pasta and potatoes as key ingredients, usually alongside onions, celery, cheese rind, tomatoes, carrots, parsley, and garlic, although there are many variations on the dish and the recipes differ from one household to another. The pasta and potatoes can be served soupy or dry, depending on personal preferences. The type of pasta used in the dish is not set in stone, and it's usually made with pasta mista (lit. mixed pasta), referring to leftover pasta of any shape that's available in the kitchen. Pasta e patate is especially popular on cold winter days, ideally sprinkled with grated cheese before serving.