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As a busy parent, finding quick, tasty meals for your family can be tough. But ditalini pasta is a game-changer. It’s small, tube-shaped, and works great in soups, casseroles, and salads.
In this article, we’ll look at many ditalini pasta recipes for your next family dinner. You’ll find classic Italian dishes and new one-pot wonders. These recipes will make your meals quicker and more impressive, thanks to ditalini pasta.
Let’s explore the many uses of this small tubular pasta in Italian pasta dishes. You’ll find it easy to make delicious meals that everyone will love. Get ready to make mealtime easier and create lasting memories with these simple ditalini recipes.
Ditalini: The Versatile Italian Pasta
Ditalini is a small, tube-shaped Italian pasta from Puglia. It’s great at holding sauces and flavors, making it perfect for many Italian pasta dishes. It cooks in just 8-10 minutes, ideal for quick weeknight meals.
What Makes Ditalini Unique
Ditalini, or “little thimbles” in Italian, is made from durum wheat flour and water. It has a smooth or ridged texture. Its small size, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch, makes it stand out. Plus, its high gluten content helps it hold sauces well and stay al dente.
Common Substitutes for Ditalini
- Tubetti
- Tubettini
- Elbow macaroni
- Orzo
Cooking Tips for Perfect Ditalini
- Cook ditalini in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- It is advised to add 1-2 tablespoons of salt per gallon of water when salting pasta water.
- Ditalini pairs well with a variety of sauces, from hearty minestrone soups to creamy pasta salads.
Ditalini is a great small tubular pasta for many Italian pasta dishes. It’s perfect for a comforting pasta fagioli or a refreshing Mediterranean-style salad. It’s sure to make your dish delicious.
Classic Pasta Fagioli with Ditalini
Pasta Fagioli is a beloved Italian soup that features ditalini pasta. It combines Cannellini beans, chickpeas, pancetta, and garlic in a tomato broth. Served with Italian bread, it’s a comforting meal for family dinners.
This ditalini soup recipe is a mix of vegetables, herbs, and beans. Ditalini pasta adds texture, while crushed tomatoes add zest. Onions, carrots, and celery make the base, with pancetta and olive oil adding depth.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ditalini pasta | 3/4 cup |
| Cannellini beans | 1 can (15 oz) |
| Chickpeas | 1 can (15 oz) |
| Pancetta, chopped | 4 oz |
| Garlic, minced | 4 cloves |
| Crushed Italian tomatoes | 1 can (28 oz) |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Chicken broth | 4 cups |
| Basil, chopped | 1 handful |
| Bay leaves | 2 |
| Oregano | 1 tbsp |
| Parmesan rind | 1 |
| Spinach, chopped | 1 bag |
This classic Italian pasta dish is a true comfort food. It combines beans, ditalini, and pancetta. Serve it with Italian bread for a meal that feels like Italy.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Ditalini Recipe
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this flavorful Garlic Parmesan Chicken Ditalini recipe. It’s a one-pot wonder that combines ditalini pasta with garlic, Parmesan, and chicken. It’s perfect for a quick one pot meals or a satisfying quick pasta recipes. It’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredient List and Preparation
To make this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 lb chicken thighs, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz ditalini pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Start by marinating the chicken in a mix of olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and oregano for 15-30 minutes. This infuses the meat with delicious flavors.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Cook the marinated chicken in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
2. Sauté the minced garlic in the same skillet for approximately one minute, or until fragrant.
3. Add the ditalini pasta and chicken broth to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
4. Stir in the cooked chicken, spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Simmer the mixture for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the spinach has wilted.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Ditalini warm, garnished with fresh parsley or basil. It pairs well with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Enjoy this versatile and flavorful pasta dish any night of the week!
Ditalini Pasta Recipes
One-Pot Ditalini Pasta Recipes
One-pot ditalini pasta recipes are perfect for quick weeknight dinners. They mix ditalini pasta with protein, veggies, and tasty sauces in one pan. This technique combines tastes for a tasty dinner and simplifies cleaning.
Creamy Chicken Ditalini is a favorite. It has tender chicken, ditalini, and a creamy sauce. Another hit is Vegetable-Packed Ditalini Soup. It’s a hearty soup with ditalini, fresh veggies, and a nourishing broth.
Looking for quick pasta recipes? Try one-pot ditalini dishes. They’re easy to make and let you experiment with different flavors. Whether you want a creamy dish or a veggie-packed soup, these recipes are great for weeknights.
| Recipe | Prep Time | Cook Time | Servings | Calories per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creamy Chicken Ditalini | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 4 | 542 |
| Vegetable-Packed Ditalini Soup | 20 minutes | 45 minutes | 8 | 289 |
Discover the joy of one-pot ditalini pasta recipes for your family’s dinners. They’re convenient and full of flavor.
Ditalini Pasta
Creamy Ditalini with Spinach and Parmesan
Discover a delightful vegetarian pasta dish that combines ditalini pasta with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. It’s quick and easy, perfect for family dinners or cozy weeknights.
Key Ingredients
- 8 oz ditalini pasta
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Method
Boil a large pot of salted water first. Cook the ditalini pasta until it’s al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. After draining, set away.
Heat some olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic for one to two minutes. After that, simmer the fresh spinach for two to three minutes, or until it has wilted.
Add the heavy cream after lowering the heat. Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth. Add salt and pepper for seasoning.
To the creamy sauce, add the cooked ditalini pasta. Gently toss to coat. If desired, top with additional Parmesan cheese and serve right away.
The family loves this easy spaghetti dish. It provides a pleasing blend of tastes and textures. With your loved ones, savor these vegetarian pasta meals!
Mediterranean-Style Ditalini Pasta Salad
Make your summer meals more exciting with a Mediterranean-style ditalini pasta salad. It’s a mix of fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a zesty dressing. This dish brings the Mediterranean to your plate.
To make this salad, start by cooking 16 ounces of ditalini pasta. Follow the package instructions. After cooking, drain and rinse the pasta with cold water to cool it down.
In a large bowl, mix the cooled ditalini pasta with 1 cup of grape tomatoes, 1 large zucchini, and 1 bell pepper. Add a 2.25-ounce can of sliced black olives, 8-ounce mozzarella pearls, 1 cup of diced provolone cheese, 1/2 cup of salami, and 1/2 cup of pepperoncini peppers.
For the dressing, mix a 16-ounce bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing. Pour 2/3 of it over the salad and toss well. Add the rest just before serving for the best flavor.
Top the salad with 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and optional basil and parsley. Serve it chilled or at room temperature.
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 272 |
| Carbohydrates | 31g |
| Protein | 14g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 26mg |
| Sodium | 410mg |
| Potassium | 240mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 3g |
This Mediterranean-style ditalini pasta salad is a great addition to your summer meals. It’s full of flavor, crunchy textures, and is very nutritious. It’s sure to be a hit in your easy ditalini pasta salad and italian pasta dishes collection.
Budget-Friendly Ditalini Pasta Recipes
Ditalini pasta is a great choice for tasty, affordable meals. It’s small and versatile, making it perfect for dishes with canned tomatoes, beans, and frozen veggies. To save money, plan meals ahead and buy ingredients in bulk.
Cost-Effective Ingredients
For cheap ditalini pasta recipes, use these ingredients:
- Canned Tomatoes – Canned tomatoes are cheaper than fresh and add lots of flavor.
- Beans – Beans, canned or dried, are filling and packed with protein, great for pasta.
- Frozen Vegetables – Frozen veggies are cheaper than fresh and add nutrition and taste to pasta.
- Bulk Spices and Herbs – Buying spices and herbs in bulk saves money over small packets.
Meal Planning Tips
To make your ditalini pasta recipes more affordable, try these tips:
- Plan meals ahead and make a shopping list to avoid buying things you don’t need.
- Buy ingredients in bulk, like big bags of pasta or cans of beans, to save money.
- Make big batches of pasta dishes and freeze them for quick, cheap meals later.
- Use leftover pasta in soups or casseroles to reduce waste.
By using these tips and choosing affordable ingredients, you can enjoy tasty, quick pasta recipes and kid-friendly pasta recipes without spending a lot.
Quick Weeknight Ditalini Dishes
Ditalini pasta is great for quick weeknight meals. It’s a versatile Italian pasta that pairs well with protein and veggies. You can make a complete meal in under 30 minutes. Using pre-cooked proteins or canned beans saves time and still makes for a tasty dinner.
These recipes are easy to adjust with what you have at home. You can use chicken, shrimp, or plant-based proteins with ditalini. You can also pick your favorite veggies, making these meals perfect for busy nights.
Ditalini’s shape is perfect for one-pot meals because it cooks fast and evenly. With a bit of creativity and shortcuts, you can have a healthy dinner ready in no time. Try quick pasta recipes with ditalini for your next family dinner.