If you’ve ever had a pasta dish where every twist is packed with sauce, chances are it was Casarecce pasta! Traditionally inspired by hand-rolled pasta shapes from southern Italy, Casarecce pasta’s gentle twists are made to capture rich, chunky sauces and every delicious spoonful of flavour from sauces made from chopped tomatoes.
Where does Casarecce pasta come from?
Casarecce pasta takes its name from the Italian word for ‘homemade’, inspired by the simple pasta shapes traditionally rolled and gently twisted by hand in Sicilian kitchens. Today, it’s still enjoyed the Italian way, paired with classic Sicilian ingredients like aubergine, tomatoes, Ricotta Salata and fresh seafood for dishes full of authentic flavour
What does Casarecce Pasta pair well with?
With its gently twisted shape, Casarecce pasta is made for capturing rich, flavourful sauces.
- Pesto – especially green pesto sauce like Broccoli Pasta, which is thick with pine nuts.
- Creamy sauces, such as bechamel or Spaghetti Carbonara sauce
- Meat ragù sauce
- Thicker vegetable-based sauces with chunks, such as aubergine or courgette.
Casarecce’s gentle twists are perfect for holding onto every delicious drop of sauce, helping to bring flavour to every bite. Wonderfully versatile, it pairs with a multitude of pasta and sauce pairings, making it a true Italian cupboard staple.
Why are there so many different types of pasta to choose from?
In Italy, every pasta shape has a purpose. Created in different regions and passed down through generations, each shape was designed to pair perfectly with sauces and ingredients. From ridges that catch rich ragùs to twists that hold vibrant pestos, Italian pasta is all about bringing the best flavour to every bite.
For example, Casarecce pasta presses sauce within its folds, whilst the wider shape of Rigatoni helps it hold chunkier ingredients inside its tubes. Conchiglie scoops up wedges of vegetables, meats or fish like a spoon, making it an ideal pasta pairing for soup, such as Tuscan Bean soup. And whilst linguine and spaghetti may look similar, they both serve different purposes when it comes to pairing with ingredients and sauce.
Every Napolina pasta shape has its own perfect cooking time, carefully chosen to bring out the best texture and flavour. Whichever Napolina pasta shape you choose, simply follow Nonna’s trusted tips for cooking pasta, and you’ll enjoy delicious Italian results every time.
