Orecchiette Recipes

Mak Erot

3 min read

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Apr 11, 2025

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Ear-Shaped Pasta Perfection: A Guide to Delicious Orecchiette Recipes

Orecchiette, those charming little ear-shaped pasta, are a culinary delight hailing from Puglia, Italy. Their unique shape perfectly captures rich sauces, making them a versatile canvas for a multitude of flavor profiles. This post will explore several delectable orecchiette recipes, catering to various tastes and skill levels. Let's dive in!

Simple and Satisfying Orecchiette Recipes

Classic Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

This recipe is a Puglian staple, showcasing the simplicity and deliciousness of fresh ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb orecchiette pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 bunch broccoli rabe, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• Grated Pecorino Romano cheese (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Brown the sausage in a large pan over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove the sausage and set aside.
2. Add the olive oil to the same pan and sauté the garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the broccoli rabe and red pepper flakes, cooking until tender-crisp.
4. Add the cooked sausage back to the pan.
5. Cook the orecchiette according to package directions.
6. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sausage and broccoli rabe. Toss to combine.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve immediately, topped with grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

Orecchiette with Burst Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

This vibrant recipe is perfect for summer, highlighting the sweetness of fresh tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb orecchiette pasta
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• Balsamic glaze (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

1. Cook the orecchiette according to package directions.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they burst and release their juices.
4. Stir in the chopped basil.
5. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the tomatoes and basil. Toss to combine.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve immediately, drizzled with balsamic glaze (optional).

Exploring More Adventurous Orecchiette Dishes

Orecchiette with Creamy Pesto and Sun-dried Tomatoes

This recipe offers a sophisticated twist on the classic pesto pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb orecchiette pasta
• 1/2 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Cook the orecchiette according to package directions.
2. While the pasta cooks, combine the pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
3. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl with the pesto mixture. Toss to combine.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve immediately.

Spicy Orecchiette with Shrimp and Calabrian Chili

This recipe delivers a fiery kick perfect for adventurous palates.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb orecchiette pasta
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for serving)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Cook the orecchiette according to package directions.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the Calabrian chili paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque.
5. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the shrimp and chili paste. Toss to combine.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

These recipes are just a starting point; feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique orecchiette masterpiece. Remember to use high-quality ingredients for the best results! Enjoy!