Skip to content
If you’re new to the world of Italian pasta, paccheri are wide pasta tubes, similar to macaroni, that traditionally come from the Naples region of Italy. While this hose-like pasta may be new to many of us, it has a rich and long-standing history in Italian culture. Read on for a deeper look into Paccheri pasta and where to buy the best kind for this beginner-friendly recipe.
The Best Pasta for Meatless Neapolitan Paccheri Pasta with Mushrooms and Cream
With origins dating back to the 1600s, paccheri pasta was often considered a pasta for the poor in its early days because the pieces are large and very filling, making it perfect for a robust family meal. Its large tube shape also makes it ideal for a variety of fillings and flavorful sauces.
For an extra hearty meal, paccheri is often stuffed with spicy Italian sausage and garlic and topped with a conventional red sauce. For a more veggie-forward dish, it is common to see recipes with porcini mushrooms, served with a garlicky brown butter sauce. For this modern vegetarian-friendly take on paccheri pasta, we will be taking the mushroom route with a simple cream sauce and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
While you can opt for fresh mushrooms in this recipe, you can also use artisanal dried mushrooms, like Bottega Del Fungo Italian Dried Porcini, if you soak them for about 20-30 minutes beforehand. For an authentic paccheri pasta, we suggest investing in a package of Gentile Organic Paccheri for its mouthwatering texture and traditional recipe of just durum wheat semolina and water — that’s it. So with no further adieu, let’s get cooking.
