Casarecce Pasta With Summer Vegetables

This casarecce pasta recipe is one of those simple clean-our-your-fridge kind of recipes that's perfect for busy weeknights. It comes together in under 30 minutes using minimal ingredients that you can modify depending on what you have on hand. It's fresh, simple and you can enjoy it hot or cold.

Italians are a creative bunch! When it comes to pasta, they couldn't settle for just one shape.

There's cavatelli, those adorable shell-shaped pasta pieces that cradle flavors in their hollow centers, creating delightful mouthfuls with every bite. There's fusilli, the perfect pasta corkscrews to add to soups and pasta salad. There's petite orzo, which sits somewhere between couscous and pasta. And there's rigatoni, those hearty tubes of pasta that are bested suited to chunky sauces. The options are endless.

Today, I'm going to introduce you to my latest pasta obsession - casarecce! It's a short, rustic little roll of pasta that holds sauces well, and is versatile enough for pasta bakes, but humble enough for pasta salads. We'll be pairing it with a simple collection of summer veggies for a recipe that's more than the sum of its parts.

💚Reasons You'll Love This Recipe

💚It's super easy to throw together, requiring minimal ingredients that can easily be customized to suit your tastes.

💚It's family friendly. This is a great dish if you want to get some veggies into your children's diet.

💚This casarecce pasta recipe is a simple, convenient meal that can be on the table in under 30 minutes.

💡What Is Casarecce Pasta?

Casarecce pasta is a type of pasta originating from Sicily, Italy. The name "casarecce" translates to "homemade" or "home-style" in Italian. Casarecce pasta is a short, rolled pasta with a twisted shape. It's slightly curved and looks like a small, narrow tube that has been rolled up lengthwise.

The twisted shape of casarecce pasta makes it perfect for capturing sauces and holding onto ingredients. It pairs well with a variety of sauces, both light and hearty, and works beautifully in pasta salads or baked pasta dishes.

Casarecce pasta is commonly made from durum wheat semolina, but you can also find versions made from whole wheat or other grains for added nutritional benefits. It's readily available in most grocery stores or specialty food stores, typically found in the pasta aisle alongside other pasta shapes. If you can't find it at your local grocery store, you can always buy casarecce pasta online.

🍅What Is Casarecce Pasta Used For?

I've written the recipe below with summer veggies, which is super simple and delicious, but casarecce pasta can star in many dishes. Its unique twisted and rolled shape allows it to hold sauces and ingredients well, making it a great choice for both light and hearty recipes. Here's a few more ways you can use it:

1. Pasta with Tomato Sauce: This short, rolled pasta pairs wonderfully with tomato-based sauces. The nooks and crannies of the pasta catch the sauce, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying dish.
2. Pesto Pasta: The twisted shape of casarecce pasta is great for capturing and holding onto pesto sauce. Toss cooked casarecce pasta with homemade or store-bought vegan pesto for a quick and delicious meal. Try this creamy spinach pesto.
3. Pasta Salads: Casarecce pasta is an excellent choice for pasta salads due to its shape and texture. It holds up well to dressings and complements a variety of vegetables, herbs, and protein sources like chickpeas or grilled tofu.
4. Creamy Pasta Dishes: The ridges and curves of casarecce pasta are perfect for trapping creamy sauces. Use it in dishes like vegan Alfredo or mushroom cream sauce for a comforting and indulgent meal.
5. Baked Pasta Dishes: Casarecce pasta can be used in baked pasta dishes, such as casseroles or pasta bakes. Its shape allows it to hold up well during baking and ensures even distribution of flavors throughout the dish.
6. Stir-Fries or Sautéed Dishes: Due to its twisted shape, this is a great pasta shape to use in stir-fries or sautéed dishes with vegetables and protein. It adds an interesting texture and holds up well to high heat cooking.

🔪How To Make Casarecce Pasta With Summer Vegetables

• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
• Add the diced red bell pepper and zucchini to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.

• Stir in the cherry tomatoes, spinach leaves, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are slightly softened and the spinach has wilted.
• Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss everything together until well combined. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
• Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

🍽️Serving Suggestions

• Vegan Garlic Knots: These vegan garlic knots would be an excellent complement to casarecce pasta.
• Lentils: Stir in some rice cooker lentils for a hit of protein and a chewy bite.
• Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: Serve a big bowl of casarecce pasta with a side of delicious stuffed Portobello mushrooms.
• Mushroom Conserva: Stir these tangy pickled mushrooms into the mix for some added zing.

❄️Storage

Refrigerator:

Once the pasta dish has cooled down to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or sealable storage bag. Store the dish in the refrigerator, for 3-4 days.

When you're ready to enjoy the leftovers, remove the dish from the refrigerator and reheat it either in a microwave-safe dish or on the stovetop in a pan over low heat until heated through. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

Freezer:

Allow the pasta dish to cool completely. Transfer the cooled pasta and vegetable mixture to airtight freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. If using freezer bags, squeeze out any excess air before sealing them tightly. If using containers, leave some headspace to allow for expansion during freezing. The casarecce pasta dish can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours until completely thawed. Once thawed, you can reheat the dish by either microwaving it in a microwave-safe dish or reheating it on the stovetop in a pan over low heat. Stir occasionally until the pasta and veggies are heated through.

🙋Frequently Asked Questions

You Might Also Enjoy These Pasta Recipes

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Vegan Rasta Pasta

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Coconut Pasta Sauce

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📖 Recipe

Casarecce Pasta

Keri Bevan

This casarecce pasta recipe is one of those simple clean-our-your-fridge kind of recipes that's perfect for busy weeknights. It comes together in under 30 minutes using minimal ingredients that you can modify depending on what you have on hand. It's fresh simple and you can enjoy it hot or cold.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 311 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 8 ounces 225g Casarecce pasta (or any other pasta of your choice)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 small zucchini diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes optional, for some heat
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

 

• Cook the Casarecce pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
• Add the diced red bell pepper and zucchini to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
• Stir in the cherry tomatoes, spinach leaves, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are slightly softened and the spinach has wilted.
• Add the cooked Casarecce pasta to the pan and toss everything together until well combined. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
• Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

Storage:

Refrigerator:

Once the pasta dish has cooled down to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or sealable storage bag. Store the dish in the refrigerator, for 3-4 days.

When you're ready to enjoy the leftovers, remove the dish from the refrigerator and reheat it either in a microwave-safe dish or on the stovetop in a pan over low heat until heated through. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

Freezer:

Allow the pasta dish to cool completely. Transfer the cooled pasta and vegetable mixture to airtight freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. If using freezer bags, squeeze out any excess air before sealing them tightly. If using containers, leave some headspace to allow for expansion during freezing. The casarecce pasta dish can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours until completely thawed. Once thawed, you can reheat the dish by either microwaving it in a microwave-safe dish or reheating it on the stovetop in a pan over low heat. Stir occasionally until the pasta and veggies are heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 9gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 20mgPotassium: 493mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1917IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg

Keyword casarecce pasta

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