Homemade Cavatelli

homemade cavatelli dough recipe


This homemade cavatelli pasta recipe has been in our family for years; I swear every time we make them they get better.

The homemade cavatelli dough is really easy to make and we enjoy spending a little extra time to have something homemade.

If you like pasta you're going to love cavatelli. There is always something special about fresh homemade pasta.

You may not know what cavatelli are. So let me explain right from Wikipedia. Cavatelli is a type of pasta. The most common meaning is small pasta shells that look like miniature hot dog buns.

homemade cavatelli recipe ingredients


Homemade Cavatelli Recipe Ingredients:

Ricotta Cheese
All-Purpose Flour
Salt
Egg

You can use the whole ricotta cheese but we prefer to use the part skim.

Mixing in the kitchenaid stand mixer

Here is the Recipe for homemade cavatelli:

2 1/2 to 3-Cups of flour
1-pound of ricotta cheese (You buy ricotta in 15 oz. containers) this is okay
1-Egg
1-Tsp of salt

Combine all ingredients in the bowl, set your KitchenAid on the lowest speed and let it work until the dough binds together.

You'll probably have to take it out of the bowl and work it with your hands until it's smooth.
If you don't have a KitchenAid stand mixer that's okay.

You really don't need one. You just have to mix the dough with your hands. Just work the dough until it all comes together and it's smooth and forms a ball. Don't forget to wash your hands first!



Here you see the dough formed into a ball.
This recipe yields 2 lbs. and we call this one batch of cavatelli. I don't know why but that's what we call it.

Place the dough under a bowl


Now cover this with a bowl and let it rest for about 1/2 hour. While you’re waiting you could mix up the second batch.

The dough rolled into 1/2 inch logs


Now you'll want to spread some flour out onto a cutting board or your counter. Form the dough into one large log, as you see in the picture.

Then cut 1/2" slices which you will then roll into smaller 1/2" logs. Roll them in the flour because you don't want the dough to be wet.

As you can see in the picture here, I have made three batches. We like to make cavatelli for some family events.

Cranking out the cavatelli


Attach the cavatelli machine to your counter. Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper and spread some flour over it.

Start feeding the logs and crank out those little beauties onto a floured cookie sheet.
Keep adding some flour to the rollers of the machine so they don't stick.

 If adding flour doesn't prevent them from sticking, just let the logs set a while, as they are too wet.

Pictured here is our grandson Bobby cranking out the cavatelli. He was 7 years old in this picture and he is the greatest helper.

My grandmother used to make these without a machine; she would cut the logs and sort of flip them with two fingers. I never could master that so I opted for the machine, it is much faster.

cavatelli on the cookie sheet


This is what they look like ready to go in the freezer. Now just place the pan in the freezer for about 30 to 45 minutes they will be frozen.

cavatelli in the freezer bag

Fill up your freezer bag, and now you can have homemade pasta whenever you want to.

20 comments:

  1. I like all the tips for making this pasta by hand. Some day I'll give it a try.

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    1. Hi Cheryl, I'm glad you like it, and hope it works out when you try it. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a great day :)

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  2. Will have to try this recipe soon. Your pizza recipe was a hit with my family and I'm sure this will be too.

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    1. Susan, So glad you guys liked the pizza, let me know if you try the cavatelli. Thanks so much

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  3. These look amazing. I've never had these before.

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  4. Hi Shinichi, If you like pasta you'll like cavatelli, I hope you give them a try. Thanks so much for stopping by, and Have a great day :)

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  5. Looks amazing. I've never tried this but, will have to sometime. Pinning for later.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Theresa, I'm sure you'll like them and they are really not that hard to make :)

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  6. Pasta with Ricotta.... what could be better!!! Thanks again for another great recipe, Sam!!

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    1. Thank you my friend you are too kind!! They are very easy to make!!

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  7. My Italian grandmothers made these! They used their fingers to shape them. Same recipe though. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. My grandmother did the same Candy. I'm not that good so I use a machine. Thanks :)

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  8. These sound lovely and with ricotta,I think I would need a machine as well Sam my fingers are not that nimble and what a lovely picture of your little helper :)Lovely to see you are pasiing your love of cooking down :)

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    1. I agree Carol, I never could master doing these by hand. That is why I have a machine. Thanks :)

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  9. You are making me hungry again Sam......how am I supposed to diet when you find all these great recipes to make my mouth water? I think I need to hold you responsible....just kidding! Thank you for a great recipe!

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    1. Sorry to make you hungry Olivia. But, you know you have to eat!!! These are so easy to make and oh!! so good. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  10. Love the look of these. So cute! Nice family tradition. Fancy paper blog.

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  11. My mom used a knitting needle to make that shape

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  12. And her Ring finger and made them also if you don’t have a machine to make them

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