Pasta is one of the top comfort foods (who doesn’t love a warm bowl of creamy mac and cheese?) – but stuffed pasta might be even better.
Stuffed pasta is pasta that is stuffed with a filling typically containing meat and cheese, but it can vary.
You’re probably thinking of ravioli, and you’re right! Ravioli is a type of stuffed pasta, but there are 13 other types besides ravioli!
Possibly the most recognisable filled pasta type, ravioli are named after the Italian term ‘riavvolgere’ meaning “to wrap.” Ravioli have been a staple of Italian cuisine since the 14th century. One of the earliest recipes includes chopped green herbs, fresh cheese, and egg – with the ravioli then simmered in broth.
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Traditionally, pierogi contains mashed potato with cheddar or farmers cheese, but they can be made with savory or sweet fillings. Adding onion, spiced meats, sauerkraut, or cabbage, to the potato mix is also very common. Some chefs also make dessert pierogi with fruits and berries. Authentic Polish recipes typically prepare pierogi with caramelized onion, sausage or bacon, melted butter, and sour cream.
Popular and versatile, conchiglie comes in a range of sizes, the largest of which are ideal for stuffing with blended cheeses like ricotta or cottage cheese and spinach. They are boiled, stuffed, and baked with sauce on top to create a hearty casserole-style dish, like lasagna. You may also be familiar with smaller versions used with shells and cheese recipes and various soups, like minestrone.
The final stuffed pasta on our list is pierogi. Even though its not Italian, like the rest of the stuffed pastas above, pierogies are a classic stuffed pasta from Poland that people worldwide have come to know and love. Interestingly, the word pierogi is already plural, even though people in the United States often refer to them as pierogies. The singular form is pierog.
While manicotti is traditional in southern Italy, Emilia-Romagna, and Campania, it is also a well-known dish worldwide. It became popular in the United States in the mid-20th century due to a surge in Italian immigrants. In the U.S., the noodles can only be purchased in a dried pre-formed tube, but the traditional Italian form is more like a crepe rolled around the filling.
Agnolotti is small and rectangular or semi-circular in shape and features a ridged edge. While they are closely related to ravioli, agnolotti only uses a single layer of dough folded over filling. In contrast, ravioli uses two sheets of dough and is cut on all sides. They originate from the Piedmont region in northern Italy and are particularly popular in the provinces of Alessandria, Monferrato, and Asti.
What is stuffed pasta?
Stuffed pasta is a shape of pasta along with long (like spaghetti), short (like macaroni), and sheet (like lasagna). Stuffed pasta is pasta that is usually sealed to enclose stuffing, which varies depending on the type of pasta and the dish being prepared.
Popular fillings for stuffed pasta include meat and cheese sauces as well as vegetables like spinach.
The most popular type of stuffed pasta is ravioli, but did you know there are 13 other types of stuffed pasta besides ravioli? We’ll review them all next!
What is this Italian-stuffed pasta called? | What is this stuffed cabbage from Poland called?
FAQ
What is the pasta with stuff inside called?
What is the Italian word for filled pasta?
What are the 4 types of pasta in Italy?
What is Italian cheesy pasta called?
What type of pasta is stuffed in Italy?
Widely thought of as the most well-known type of stuffed pasta in Italy and the United States, ravioli is loved the world over. While ravioli is a northern Italian tradition, many regions have their own beloved recipes due to its popularity. Traditional ravioli come in small square or circular pockets stuffed with an array of fillings.
Is pasta considered fattening?
The consumption of pasta, when eaten as part of a balanced diet which includes vegetables, fruits, leans proteins, is not associated with an increase in body weight. Although, pasta is high in carbs, which can increase weight when consumed in large amounts.
What is stuffed shell pasta?
Stuffed Shells, or “Conchiglie” in Italian, referring to their shell-like shape, are a type of pasta dish where large shell-shaped pasta is filled with various ingredients. Typical fillings include ricotta cheese, spinach, and ground meat, often topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Where does stuffed pasta come from?
This ring-shaped stuffed pasta originally comes from Emilia in Northern Italy. It’s been a firm favorite since the 17th century. They are made by hand – a true labor of love. Traditionally stuffed with ricotta cheese, the Italians didn’t let their imagination stop there.