Description
This delightful Ricotta Paccheri recipe features large, tender paccheri pasta tubes generously stuffed with a creamy ricotta and Parmesan cheese mixture, infused with fresh basil and garlic. Quickly sautéed in garlic-infused olive oil, this dish offers a perfect blend of creamy, herby, and savory flavors, making it an elegant yet easy-to-make Italian-inspired meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz paccheri pasta
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs and Aromatics
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (divided: some for mixture and some for sautéing)
Other
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the paccheri pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain and allow to cool slightly, so they are easier to handle.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated into a creamy filling.
- Stuff the Paccheri: Using a spoon or a piping bag, carefully fill each paccheri tube generously with the ricotta mixture, ensuring not to break the pasta shells.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add additional minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Stuffed Paccheri: Gently place the stuffed paccheri into the skillet. Toss lightly to coat the pasta with the garlic-infused olive oil, heating through without breaking the tubes.
- Serve: Plate the paccheri while hot. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Notes
- If a piping bag is not available, use a small spoon to fill the paccheri tubes carefully.
- Be gentle when sautéing stuffed paccheri to avoid breaking the pasta shells.
- For a richer taste, you can add a splash of cream to the cheese mixture.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with dried basil if necessary, but fresh is preferred for optimal flavor.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or a glass of white wine.
