Pasta comes in all different shapes and sizes. Most people stick with spaghetti or penne pasta, but there are hundreds of different types of pasta one could be using. There are endless options to choose from for every pasta dish you make, whether you're making an Italian feast or a Korean-inspired soup. Because I don't want to overwhelm you, I'll only suggest you try one of my favorite pastas, orecchiette. What is orecchiette? Let me explain.
What Is Orecchiette?
Orecchiette directly translates to “little ears” in Italian, which has much to do with their shape. They're a round, concave pasta that originated in Puglia in southern Italy. They're thinner in the middle than they are on the edges, which gives them a unique texture. These little noodles have been around for hundreds of years and have yet to lose popularity.
What to Make With Orecchiette
Because of its shape, orecchiette pasta is best served with chunkier sauces or dishes made with vegetables. Authentic recipes for orecchiette include vegetables, like broccoli rabe, sautéed in olive oil. This Bon Appétit recipe for broccoli bolognese with orecchiette will have you changing up your pasta shapes more often. Or you can simply switch out your regular penne pasta with orecchiette next time you realize you have some pasta sauce in the pantry.
Whether you only like mac n' cheese or will try anything once, orecchiette is a must. The shape is fun to eat and will make any dish a little more sophisticated. The next time you find yourself wandering down the pasta aisle of the grocery store, pick up some orecchiette.