This Creamy Cacio e Pepe Ditalini Pasta Recipe Brings together tiny pasta tubes, sharp Parmesan and ground black pepper in the most satisfying way. I first made this on a Tuesday night when I needed something quick but didn’t want to sacrifice flavor, and it’s been my favorite ever since. The whole thing comes together in one pan in about 25 minutes, which means less cleanup and more time at the table.
If you’re looking for more of a quick Ditalini pasta recipe that works for busy weeknights, this one checks all the boxes and it pairs beautifully with lighter sides like my Healthy Orange Avocado Salad recipe or Easy Keto Hamburger Broccoli Skillet recipe or hearty mains from my collection of dinner recipes.
Why you’ll love this Ditalini pasta recipe?
This is one of those easy ditalini pasta recipe recipes that looks fancy but doesn’t ask much from you. You don’t need a ton of ingredients, just seven simple things you probably already have. The technique is straightforward, with no fancy tricks like whisking the cheese or worrying about the sauce breaking. It’s creamy without being heavy, spicy without being overly spicy, and rich without making you feel too full. Kids love it because the small pasta is fun to eat. Adults love it because it tastes like something ordered at an Italian restaurant. And everyone loves that there’s only one pan to wash in the end.
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Ditalini Pasta Recipe Ingredients
Everything is here for this simple ditalini pasta recipe.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient quantities
- Ditalini pasta: These little tube-shaped noodles are perfect for adding sauce to every bite. You can find them in the pasta aisle next to other small pasta shapes.
- olive oil: Helps the pepper to bloom and adds a subtle richness to the base of the dish.
- Ground black pepper: The star of Cacio e Pepe. Sauteing it in hot oil brings out warm, spicy, almost floral notes that make the whole dish sing.
- chicken broth: Serves as the cooking liquid for pasta and forms the base of creamy sauces. If you’re watching salt, use low-sodium.
- heavy cream: Adds wonderful creaminess and helps the sauce coat the pasta beautifully without getting too thick.
- butter: Melted into the sauce for added richness and gives it a shiny, silky finish.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: The tart, nutty flavor is essential to authentic cacio e pepe flavor. Please grate it yourself – pre-grated it will not melt so easily.
How to make Ditalini pasta recipe
This comes together fast, so have everything ready before you start.
Heat the pan: Place your sauté pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Let it get hot but not smoking, about 1 minute.
Pepper Blossoms: Add ground black pepper to hot oil. Let it cook for 20-30 seconds and become aromatic. You’ll smell it—it’s unmistakable.
Toast the pasta: Add the ditalini pasta and fry for 30-60 seconds, stirring frequently so it gets coated in the spicy oil.
Add broth and cook: Add the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle boil. Let the pasta cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften. This takes about 7-8 minutes.
Stir in cream: Once the pasta is soft and the broth has reduced a bit, add the heavy cream. Let the sauce reduce by about ¼, which will take another 2-3 minutes.
Add butter: Add the butter and let it melt completely. Once it melts and the sauce looks shiny, reduce the heat to low.
Finish with cheese: Add the freshly grated Parmesan and stir until the sauce is smooth, creamy and well mixed. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more broth.
Serve immediately: Spoon into bowls and enjoy while hot and creamy.
replacement and swap
You can adapt this Ditalini pasta recipe to Garlic Parmesan style to fit what you have on hand. If you don’t have ditalini, small shells, orzo, or even elbow macaroni work well. For a lighter version, replace the heavy cream with half-and-half, although the sauce won’t be as thick. Vegetable broth works in place of chicken broth for a vegetarian twist. If you want to skip the cream altogether for the ditalini pasta recipe there is no cream substitute, just use extra broth and add a little more butter and cheese at the end. Pecorino Romano can replace Parmesan for the sharp, salty flavor that is more traditional in classic cacio e pepe.
For this you only need a good pan.
- Roasting Pan: A wide, deep sauté pan (10-12 inches) works best so the pasta cooks evenly and you have room to stir without splattering.
storage and reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken as it sits, which is normal. When you reheat it, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it back up. Heat it slowly on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently, or microwave in 30 second intervals until completely heated through. I don’t recommend freezing it, cream-based sauces don’t keep well in the freezer and can become grainy when thawed.
What to serve with this ditalini pasta recipe
This creamy ditalini pasta recipe is rich enough to be the star, but a few light sides balance it out nicely. A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette dials up the creaminess. Roasted broccoli or sautéed spinach adds color and a bit of healthy green. Garlic bread is always a good idea if you want to soak up every last bit of sauce. For protein, grilled chicken or shrimp would be perfect on top, or try pairing it with my Healthy Turmeric Rice and Chicken for a more complete meal.
Expert Tips
Use freshly ground black pepper, not pre-ground stuff. Its taste is much brighter and more aromatic. Grate your Parmesan just before using – pre-shredded types contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Don’t forget to fry the black pepper in oil. That step is what gives the entire dish its distinctive taste. Don’t panic if your sauce seems too thick. Simply add the broth a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. And make sure to serve it immediately. Creamy pasta dishes like this taste fresh and hot on the griddle.
William became a pepper expert at night
Last week, William was standing on his stool near the stove watching me heat the olive oil for this pasta. “Mom, can I add black pepper?” he asked, already reaching for the measuring spoon. I handed it to him, and he added the ground black pepper to the hot oil with great enthusiasm. It echoed loudly, and he jumped back, eyes wide. “It’s alive!” he yelled, making me laugh so hard I almost dropped the wooden spoon.
“It’s called blooming,” I told her, stirring the fragrant peppers around the pan. “It wakes up all the flavors.”
He leaned closer, sniffing loudly. “It smells like…like when dad cooks steak!”
When the pasta was cooked and I spooned some into his bowl, William took a bite and looked at me with the sauce on his chin. “Mom, this is really great. Can we eat this every Tuesday?”
I told him maybe not every Tuesday, but often.
FAQ
What is the best way to cook ditalini pasta recipe?
to cook Ditalini Pasta Recipe Cook in plenty of salted water (or broth, as in this recipe) until just tender. This usually takes 8-10 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally so that it does not stick. William likes to check a piece by biting into it to see if it’s ready in the middle, if it’s not chocolatey.
What is Ditalini pasta recipe used for?
Ditalini pasta recipe is great in soups, Ditalini pasta recipes and creamy one-pan dishes like cacio e pepe. The little tubes hold sauces and mix-ins beautifully, making every bite delicious.
How to eat ditalini pasta?
Simply scoop it out with a spoon or fork. Its small size makes it easy to eat, which is why children love it. It’s comfortable, relaxing and doesn’t require any twisting.
How is ditalini different from other pasta?
Ditalini Pasta Recipe Unlike long noodles like spaghetti or flat noodles like penne, noodles are short and tube-shaped. Its size makes it perfect for soups and creamy sauces as it retains flavor in every small piece. It is similar to the tubetti, just slightly larger.
Are you looking for more recipes like this? Try these:
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These are my favorite dishes to serve Ditalini Pasta Recipe
Ditalini Pasta Recipe
This creamy one pan Ditalini Pasta Recipe Viral is a delicious twist on cacio e pepe, bringing together a rich and comforting dish with every bite.
Material
Method
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Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil. When hot, add ground black pepper to it. Cook the peppers in the pan until fragrant, about 20-30 seconds.
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Add ditalini pasta to pan. Sauté for 30-60 seconds, then add the chicken broth. Boil lightly.
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Once the pasta starts to soften (about 7-8 minutes), add the heavy cream. Let the sauce reduce by about ¼.
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Add butter to the pan, let it melt completely. Once the butter is melted, reduce the heat to low and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir it until it is well mixed and the sauce becomes creamy.
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Serve the pasta immediately and enjoy!
nutrition
notes
A rich and creamy pasta dish that combines the heat of freshly ground black pepper with the richness of butter and Parmesan. Serve this dish for a comforting weeknight meal!
