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5.0 from 84 votes

Homemade cavatelli

This easy to make Southern Italian pasta comes from Molise and Puglia but is popular throughout Southern Italy. It's perfect with both meat based and vegetable based sauces.

Prep Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4
Calories: 228 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 250 g Italian semola flour 9oz (semola di grana dura rimacinata)
  • 135 ml water (4.5 oz) tepid (boil then allow to cool)
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pour the flour into a bowl. Add the salt and mix. Make a well in the middle and pour the water in the well. Slowly start mixing the water with the surrounding flour. Gradually incorporate all the flour and water and then turn the dough out onto a surface for kneading. 
  2. Start kneading the dough. If it is too dry add more water, only a bit at a time. If it is too sticky add a little more flour. It should be similar to play dough consistency. 
  3. Continue kneading for 5-10 minutes until it is smooth and is not sticky at all. Let it rest covered or wrapped in plastic wrap for 10 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle 2 rimmed baking sheets with semola flour. Divide dough into 8 pieces; keep covered with plastic wrap. Roll one piece at a time into a long rope, about 8mm (⅓ in) in diameter, then cut rope into 2 cms (¾-in) long pieces. 
  5. Using the tips of your index and middle fingers, firmly press each piece and pull dough toward you so it lengthens slightly and forms a curl in the middle. 
  6. Transfer pieces to baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. I used a gnocchi board so instead of forming the pieces on a flat surface I rolled them down the gnocchi board to create ridges at the same time.
  7. Cavatelli can be refrigerated, covered, up to 4 hours. Or freeze the pasta pieces on a sheet or a tray. Once frozen, transfer to a resealable bag. The cavatelli keep for up to 3 months. There's no need to defrost before cooking.

Nutrition Information

Calories 228kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 48g (16%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 0.1g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g Sodium 584mg (24%) Potassium 67mg (2%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 0.2g (0%) Calcium 11mg (1%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 228

% Daily Value*

Calories 228kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 48g 16%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Sodium 584mg 24%
Potassium 67mg 1%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 0.2g 0%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.