Image by Ilona Frey

Paccheri

There's something so delectable about Paccheri, it's hard to deny. The pasta itself is a type of tube-shaped pasta with ridges, a hearty dish hailing from the Campania region of Italy. It’s most often served in a ragu or in a tomato sauce, but it's also delicious when served with seafood like clams.

Paccheri


Paccheri’s unique shape allows for it to retain more liquid than other types of pasta, which helps give the dish an incredibly rich flavor. The magnificent ridges of these tubes help to trap and hold any sauce they are doused with, creating a savory marriage of flavors in each bite.

The heftiness of the pasta requires it to be cooked a bit longer than other types of pasta, something that only further enhances its flavor. This extra cooking time helps to bring out the deep and complex flavors, like tossing a steak on the grill to let the flavor intensify.

The personality of Paccheri shines through when it is paired with certain ingredients. Bright flavors like capers, olives, and anchovies will give it a salty kick and a unique taste, while herbs like oregano and basil offer a fragrant, herbal balance. Additionally, cheese like ricotta, mozzarella and parmigiana can help round out the flavor.

Although Paccheri is tasty in its own right, it’s elevated to another level when combined with the perfect ingredients. Its versatility to take on different shapes, sizes, and flavors makes it an incredibly diverse dish. Its delightful texture and richness make it a star in pastas everywhere.

The origin of Paccheri

The delectable dish of Paccheri is steeped in rich cultural history - one that dates back to the 18th century. The name of this scrumptious dish comes from the Neapolitan dialect 'pacchiere', which translates to 'slaps' or 'slapped' - a reference to how the dough of the pasta was traditionally made.

The origin of Paccheri can be traced to the region of Campania in southern Italy. It is believed that this delicious dish was first created in the city of Naples, where it quickly gained popularity amongst the locals. It became so popular, in fact, that its fame spread throughout the region and beyond.

The traditional recipe for Paccheri calls for tomato sauce, basil, olives and ricotta cheese. However, over the years the dish has evolved, with different variations and ingredients being added to the mix. These days, it is not uncommon to find Paccheri with ingredients such as seafood, mushrooms or pancetta.

Making Paccheri requires some skill - the dough must be rolled into wide tubes, roughly the size of a thumb. Once the pasta is cooked, it is stirred with the desired ingredients and sprinkled with cheese. The result is an incredibly flavorful and toothsome dish that is sure to tantalize the taste buds!

For centuries, Paccheri has been an essential part of Southern Italian culture. Whether enjoyed as a standalone dish or as accompaniment to other traditional Italian dishes, Paccheri never disappoints. Its unique shape and texture provide a delightful vehicle for an endless variety of ingredients and flavors, making it a versatile and beloved staple of Italian cuisine.

FAQs about Paccheri

How do you pronounce paccheri?

Pah-kay-ree.


What is paccheri in Italian?

Paccheri is a type of large tube-shaped pasta, much like rigatoni, typically served with sauces such as ragùs and pesto. It is particularly popular in the Southern Italian regions of Campania, Basilicata, and Calabria.


What is the difference between paccheri and rigatoni?

Paccheri are wider and thicker than rigatoni, and have a larger hole in the center. Paccheri are usually used for thicker sauces and dishes that require more texture. Rigatoni is a smaller tube-shaped pasta of about the same diameter throughout, and has ridges along the sides. It pairs well with tomato-based sauces and lighter dishes.


What region is paccheri from?

Paccheri is a type of pasta that originates from Campania, a region in southern Italy.


Types of Paccheri

If you're looking for a culinary adventure, paccheri is the dish for you. A type of Italian pasta, paccheri offers a unique and delectable experience every time. There are a variety of ways to prepare this delightful dish, all with their own special twist. Let's take a closer look at the different types of paccheri, so you can decide which one is right for you.

The most common type of paccheri is a tubular pasta made from durum wheat. The shape is distinctive, as the large holes in the center allow the sauce to penetrate deep into the pasta. This makes it an ideal choice for sauces and heavy toppings, as the flavors blend together in a delicious symphony. This tube-shaped pasta can also be filled with ingredients like cheese or vegetables to create a truly delicious meal.

Another popular option is conchiglie paccheri. This version looks like a shell or spiral, and is perfect for serving with meat-based sauces. The unique shape of the shells creates a great texture, and the crevices between them catches your favorite sauce for an extra burst of flavor. Whether you're serving a hearty beef ragu or a light tomato sauce, conchiglie paccheri is sure to please.

Rigatoni paccheri is a variation on the tubular shape, but with ridges along the edges. These ridges act as a way to trap more sauce, making more complex and interesting dishes. Rigatoni paccheri is also great for baking, as the ridges will hold the cheese and other toppings for an even more flavorful meal.

Ziti paccheri is another type of pasta that has a particular shape resembling hollowed out tubes. Ziti paccheri is often cooked in a casserole-style dish, as the narrow tubes allow the ingredients to be evenly distributed throughout the dish. It's especially suited to creamy sauces, and can also be finished off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra bit of flavor.

No matter which type of paccheri you choose, you're sure to enjoy a truly unique and delicious experience. With its distinctive shape, paccheri adds an interesting twist to many classic dishes. And with the variety of shapes and sizes available, there's sure to be a paccheri to fit your culinary needs. So get cooking and explore the wonderful world of paccheri today!