Orecchiette
If you're in the mood for something different for dinner tonight, why not try orecchiette? This unusual pasta shape originates from the Puglia region of Italy. Orecchiette means "little ears" in Italian, and the pasta is shaped like a small, flattened disc with a dimple in the center.
Orecchiette recipes are thought to date back to the 13th century. The pasta was traditionally made by hand, and each orecchiette was formed by pressing a small piece of dough into the center of the palm and then using the thumb to create the characteristic dimple. The pasta was then cooked in boiling water.
Today, orecchiette is still made by hand in some parts of Italy. However, it is also widely available in supermarkets, and it is often used in recipes that call for shells or other small pasta shapes.
Advice
When making orecchiette, it's important to use a good quality durum wheat flour. This type of flour is higher in protein and gluten than other types of flour and will help give your orecchiette a better texture and flavor. Additionally, using a pasta machine to roll out the dough will help make the process much faster and easier. If you don't have a pasta machine, you can always roll the dough out by hand. Make sure to roll the dough thin and cut it into small circles with a knife or cookie cutter. Finally, don't forget to cook your orecchiette in plenty of boiling salted water until they are al dente - overcooking them will make them too soft and mushy. Enjoy!
Questions
Is orecchiette a type of pasta?
Yes, orecchiette is a type of pasta that is shaped like small, round discs with a cup-like shape in the center.
What is the closest pasta to orecchiette?
The closest pasta to orecchiette is cavatelli. They are both small, ridged, round-shaped pastas.
What is shell pasta called in Italy?
In Italy, shell pasta is typically referred to as Conchiglie, which translates to "shells" in English.
Is orecchiette pasta same as shells?
No, orecchiette pasta and shells are not the same. Orecchiette is a type of pasta that is shaped like small discs with a curved edge, while shells are more rounded and tubular in shape.
How do you say orecchiette in Italian?
Orecchiette in Italian is pronouced "oh-rek-kyeh-teh".
What is orecchiette pasta good for?
Orecchiette pasta is a great addition to hearty, vegetable-based soups, as well as light and creamy pasta dishes. It can also be used in pasta salads or simply served with a simple sauce like garlic and olive oil.
Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights
Recipes
Orecchiette With Cherry Tomatoes and Arugula
- cherry tomato
- pecorino romano cheese
- olive oil
- black pepper
- salt
- orecchiette
- arugula
- garlic
Orecchiette With Corn, Jalapeño, Feta and Basil
- salt
- salt
- orecchiette
- jalapeño
- basil
- butter
- ears corn
- feta
Orecchiette With Brussels Sprouts and Bratwurst
- salt
- onion
- orecchiette
- brussels sprout
- fully bratwurst
- parmesan cheese
- sour cream
- dill
- butter
- garlic
- sauerkraut
Orecchiette With Tomato Sauce and Kale
- basil
- salt
- parmesan cheese
- olive oil
- tomato
- orecchiette
- green kale
- red pepper flake
- sugar
- garlic
Orecchiette With Sweet Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pesto
- salt
- fennel
- onion
- italian sausage
- olive oil
- broccoli rabe
- chicken stock
- garlic
- parmesan cheese
- orecchiette
Orecchiette With Fennel and Sausage
- black pepper
- salt
- pecorino romano cheese
- italian sausage
- garlic
- fennel seed
- fennel
- onion
- orecchiette
- mascarpone cheese
- olive oil
- parsley
Orecchiette
- acqua tiepida
- sale fino
- semola di grano duro rimacinata
Orecchiette With ’Nduja, Shrimp and Tomatoes
- salt
- red pepper flake
- zest
- tomato
- orecchiette
- shrimp
- broccoli rabe
- italian flat leaf parsley
- shallot
- day italian bread
- nduja
- garlic
- olive oil
Orecchiette With Basil and Pistachio Pesto and Green and Yellow Beans
- PESTO
- pepper
- salt
- olive oil
- basil
- parmesan cheese
- garlic
- pistachio
- PASTA
- pasta water
- green
- orecchiette
Orecchiette with Squash, Chiles, and Hazelnuts
- black pepper
- salt
- lemon juice
- orecchiette
- red pepper flake
- butternut squash
- butter
- hazelnut
- parmesan cheese
- olive oil
- garlic
- mint
Orecchiette with Corn, Greens, and Ricotta
- salt
- basil
- orecchiette
- corn
- bacon
- ricotta cheese
- swiss chard
Orecchiette With Grated Squash, Walnuts and Ricotta Salata
- pepper
- salt
- butternut squash
- orecchiette
- ricotta salata
- walnut
- olive oil
- garlic
- marjoram
Bacon and Brussels Sprout Orecchiette
- parmesan cheese
- apple wood smoked bacon
- brussels sprout
- orecchiette
- salt
- pomegranate seed
- apple cider vinegar
- dijon mustard
- olive oil
Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe and Red Pepper
- salt
- broccoli rabe
- bell pepper
- red pepper flake
- ricotta salata
- olive oil
- garlic
- orecchiette
Orecchiette with Buttermilk, Peas, and Pistachios
- black pepper
- salt
- mint
- orecchiette
- pea
- red pepper flake
- pistachio
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- leek
- parmesan cheese
- butter
- garlic
- buttermilk
Orecchiette with Mushrooms, Leeks, and Almonds
- salt
- shiitake mushroom
- lemon zest
- orecchiette
- parsley
- almond
- olive oil
- parmesan cheese
- garlic
- leek
- vegetable stock
Orecchiette With Fresh and Dried Beans and Tomatoes
- parmesan cheese
- salt
- basil
- pasta sauce
- mother stallard bean
- green bean
- orecchiette
- onion
- garlic
Orecchiette with Butternut Squash, Cinnamon and Mint
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- shallot
- butternut squash
- parmesan cheese
- orecchiette pasta
- cinnamon
- red pepper flake
- butter
- mint
- pasta water
Toasted Orecchiette with Veal Meatballs
- parmesan cheese
- salt
- tuscan kale
- onion
- orecchiette
- bread crumb
- coriander
- black pepper
- red pepper flake
- allspice
- hot smoked spanish paprika
- chicken broth
- smoked bacon
- milk
- olive oil
- ground pork
- veal
- maitake mushroom
- garlic
Orecchiette with Cream of Pea and Meagre
- pea
- shallot
- orecchiette
- garlic
- sweet pepper
- meagre
- null olive oil
- null mint
- null rosemary
- null salt
- null thyme
Harissa Lamb Orecchiette With Mustard Greens
- Harissa Lamb & Mustard Greens
- yellow
- mustard green
- lamb
- orecchiette
- red pepper flake
- grapeseed oil
- orange zest
- cumin
- salt
- cup pistachio
- garlic
- olive oil
- tomato paste
- harissa paste
- garlic
- Orecchiette
- tepid water
- semolina flour
- all purpose flour
- salt
Creamy Orecchiette With Spring Onions, Fennel, and Bacon Recipe
- black pepper
- salt
- heavy cream
- parmesan cheese
- orecchiette pasta
- spring onion
- fennel
- water
- baking soda
- bacon
Orecchiette with Cod and Artichoke
- olive oil
- lemon
- parsley
- onion
- salt
- orecchiette
- artichoke
- cod meat
Creamy Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Sausage
- salt
- italian sausage
- orecchiette
- red wine
- heavy cream
- broccoli rabe
- garlic
- shallot
- olive oil
- italian fontina cheese
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
- lemon juice
- broccoli rabe
- parmesan cheese
- pine nut
- white wine
- red pepper flake
- caramelized onion
- plant based italian sausage
- garlic
- orecchiette pasta
- oil tomato
- olive oil
- salt
Orecchiette with Mediterranean Pesto and Chicory
- salt
- chicory
- lemon
- orange
- orecchiette
- olive oil
- saltpacked caper
- tomato
- taggiasca olife
Orecchiette With Mussels, Cannellini Beans, and Tomatoes
- marjoram
- olive oil
- salt
- cannellini bean
- orecchiette
- mussel
- spring onion
- cherry tomato
Orecchiette With Pecorino Cheese and Seasoned Breadcrumbs
- bay leaf
- olive oil
- grana padano cheese
- lemon peel
- marjoram
- onion
- parsley
- sage
- salt
- thyme
- fennel
- orecchiette
- pecorino cheese
- bread
Orecchiette with Cauliflower
- black pepper
- salt
- red pepper flake
- orecchiette
- cauliflower
- oil cured anchovy
- olive oil
- garlic
- parsley
Grano Arso Orecchiette with Cuttlefish and Fresh Basil
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flake
- < href= http www almagourmet com flour
- garlic
- squid body
- semolina
- basil
- olive oil
- celery
- russet potato
- onion
- tomato
Grano Arso Orecchiette with Zucchini Leaves
- salt
- grano arso orecchiette
- zucchini plant tender shoot
- olive oil
- garlic
Orecchiette with Rapini and Goat Cheese
- salt
- olive oil
- red pepper flake
- brocolli rabe
- orecchiette
- lemon zest
- goat cheese
- garlic
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
- pecorino romano cheese
- salt
- olive oil
- orecchiette pasta
- broccoli rabe
- garlic
Orecchiette with Bacon, Black-Eyed Peas and Spinach
- black pepper
- parmesan cheese
- cherry tomato
- garlic
- orecchiette pasta
- bacon
- red pepper
- olive oil
- black eyed pea
- balsamic vinegar
- spinach
- salt
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
- salt
- orecchiette
- broccoli rabe
- red pepper
- garlic
- olive oil
- anchovy
- pepper
Ingredient Breakdown
Insights
Staple Ingredients
- salt 63%
- orecchiette 60%
Common Ingredients
- garlic 51%
- olive oil 51%
- parmesan cheese 37%
Usual Ingredients
- red pepper flake 26%
- black pepper 17%
- onion 17%
Rarey Ingredients
- basil 14%
- broccoli rabe 14%
- butter 14%