Paccheri pasta is a type of large pasta that is used in a variety of rich Italian dishes, as well as in soups and casseroles. The best type of pasta to use depends in part on the meal you’re preparing. Paccheri noodles are available in supermarkets, but they are not as widely available as other types of packaged pastas, so you may have to look for them in specialty stores. Whole wheat pasta is generally healthier than enriched-flour pasta, but it is particularly difficult to come by in most areas. If you’re used to making homemade noodles, you might want to try making homemade paccheri pasta before using it in your dishes.
Large hollow noodles in the shape of tubes make up this type of pasta. They’re a little bigger than rigatoni and ziti, but not quite as long as manicotti noodles. You can use them to make a twist on traditional Italian dishes by substituting them for the flat noodles in lasagna or even ziti. Paccheri pasta is well-known for its texture as well as its ability to hold heavier sauces.
Large, hollow pasta holds and absorbs liquids well, making it ideal for meals with heavy tomato sauces, cheeses, or creams. As a result, many cooks like to use the noodles in hearty casseroles and soups. Because of its effect on liquids, paccheri pasta does not work as well with lighter sauces or minimal ingredients. As a result, if you use the noodles in the wrong recipes, you may only taste the pasta and not the other ingredients.
It may be difficult to find paccheri pasta in your local supermarket because it is not as common as other types of noodles. Alternatives to specialty Italian stores, farmer’s markets, and online outlets are specialty Italian stores, farmer’s markets, and online outlets where you can find the noodles for your specific recipes. Because enriched-flour versions are the most common, you may have a harder time finding whole wheat versions of paccheri pasta. If paccheri pasta is unavailable, cooks may substitute rigatoni noodles in a recipe.
Another option is to make your own noodles at home, especially if you have previous pasta-making experience. Pasta machines are extremely useful for mixing the ingredients, and special cutters can be found to ensure that the noodles are properly shaped. More experienced homemade pasta makers roll out the dough and cut it into noodles themselves, but for beginners, this can be a daunting task. Pasta is typically made with your choice of flour, as well as olive oil and seasonings.