Description
Ditalini pasta is a small, tube-shaped pasta commonly used in soups, salads, and creamy dishes. This recipe provides a delicious and easy way to prepare ditalini pasta with fresh ingredients while offering insights into its health benefits and storage tips. Whether you prefer a warm, comforting meal or a light, refreshing dish, ditalini is a versatile choice for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 2 cups ditalini pasta
- 6 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Sauce or Dressing (Choose Based on Your Dish Type):
For a Warm Garlic Butter Ditalini Pasta:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For a Cold Ditalini Pasta Salad:
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Ditalini Pasta
- Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
- Add salt and ditalini pasta, then cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes, or according to package instructions).
- Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water if making a pasta salad. If serving warm, reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
Step 2: Prepare the Dish
For Warm Garlic Butter Ditalini Pasta:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Toss in the cooked pasta, stirring well to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir and serve warm.
For Cold Ditalini Pasta Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, mozzarella pearls, and basil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta to the bowl of vegetables and pour the dressing over it.
- Toss everything together, chill for 30 minutes, and serve cold.
Notes
- For extra flavor in the warm dish, add grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container: up to 5 days in the fridge for salad, 3 days for warm pasta.
- To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free ditalini pasta alternative.
- Whole wheat ditalini can be used for extra fiber and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Salad
- Method: Boiling & Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Ditalini pasta, small tube pasta, pasta for soups, easy pasta recipe, ditalini pasta salad, garlic butter pasta, Italian pasta dish, healthy pasta recipes