Pasta patate provola e porchetta nel cesto di pizza

Pasta patate provola e porchetta nel cesto di pizza is a decadent Italian pasta dish that combines traditional Campanian flavors with an unconventional presentation. Originating from the culinary traditions of Southern Italy, this dish is most notably associated with the city of Pompei. A prominent version of this dish is served at Alleria Pizzeria Newpolitana, located on via Giovanni Fois.

The dish is defined by its rich and heavy ingredient profile. It typically features pasta tossed with creamy potatoes and smoked provola cheese, which provides a distinct, smoky undertone. This mixture is further enhanced by the addition of porchetta—a savory, slow-roasted pork—adding layers of fat and seasoning. What distinguishes this specific preparation is the "cesto di pizza," or pizza basket, in which the pasta is served. The pasta is nestled inside a crispy, hollowed-out pizza crust, allowing the diner to enjoy both the creamy texture of the pasta and the crunch of the dough.

A great version of this dish is characterized by the perfect balance between the creamy, starchy pasta and the crispy, structural integrity of the pizza basket. Regional variations may exist across the Campania region, where different types of smoked cheese or specific cuts of pork might be utilized to alter the flavor profile. While the Pompei rendition is highly regarded, the dish remains a testament to the creative fusion of pizza and pasta common in modern Italian street food culture.