Casarecce Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce is a simple, quick, family-friendly meal that can be easily customized! Twisted pasta is paired with a homemade creamy tomato sauce and topped with fresh basil.
My family is big-time Costco lovers. It’s a great way to stock up on pantry essentials and save money on the foods we use daily. Lately, we’ve been using Instacart to have our Costco haul delivered. I highly recommend a delivery service because it saves us money. Instead of impulse buying, we stick with our list of essentials.
Costco is how I first became introduced to casarecce pasta. It was part of a large assortment of organic Italian pasta we had delivered. I hadn’t seen it before, but it works just like all other types of pasta, with the only difference being the shape.
Use it with creamy alfredo sauces, marinara sauces, or something in-between, like this vegan-friendly creamy marinara sauce.
The best part of this casarecce pasta recipe is that it can be easily customized for the dietary preferences of the people in your family. For example, with my family, I make vegan meatballs to serve with pasta, whereas my husband and youngest son prefer regular meatballs. But it also tastes great served with vegan parmesan cheese and a side salad.
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What kind of pasta is casarecce?
Casarecce is twisted short pasta noodles. It originates from Sicily in Southern Italy. The twisted shape makes it the perfect type of pasta for holding delicious sauce in all of its nooks and crannies. Like other types of pasta, it is made from durum wheat. Prepare the pasta al dente for the best flavor and texture. This type of pasta is known by other names, including casareccia, cellentani, amori, spirali, and tortiglione. It tastes like other pasta, with the main difference being the shape and the way it holds the sauce.
Why Make this Casarecce Pasta?
Quick and Easy-This pasta dish is super simple and easy to follow. If you can boil pasta and whisk some ingredients together, you can easily make this recipe in 30 minutes. There’s limited chopping involved.
Dairy-Free Sauce-While this sauce is dairy-free, it has a creamy texture from cashew yogurt. You can also make cashew cream if you don’t have cashew yogurt on hand.
Versatile Additions-Add your favorite protein. Whether you choose plant-based meatballs, grilled chicken, or whatever your family likes best. Top with your favorite fresh herbs such as basil or parsley.
Ingredients and Notes
This recipe has simple ingredients you should already have in your pantry. See the recipe card for the complete measurements.
Casarecce Pasta: A short twisted pasta that can be found in most specialty stores, such as Whole Foods.
Sauce: The sauce comprises of diced onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes with red pepper flakes for added spice and creamy plain cashew yogurt.
Garnishes: Fresh basil gives this dish a fresh and lemony flavor. It’s garnished with shredded vegan parmesan cheese for a rich, nutty, umami taste.
How to Make Casarecce Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, about 2-3 minutes less than the package directions. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking.
Step 2: Add olive oil and diced onions to a sauté pan over medium heat while the pasta cooks. Cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the tomato paste, salt, and red pepper flakes. Whisk together and cook until the tomato paste darkens, about 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and ½ a cup of pasta water to the pan. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until it thickens, about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the sauce from the heat, and whisk in the plain unsweetened cashew yogurt.
Step 5: Drain the pasta, reserving an additional cup of pasta water. Add the cooked pasta and pasta water to the sauce. Toss until combined.
Step 6: Top with fresh chopped basil and vegan parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Recipe FAQS
If your sauce is too thin, it is likely because you haven’t added the pasta water. Be sure to add pasta water, not regular water. The pasta water has gluten from the pasta, which thickens the sauce.
If your pasta sauce turned out too thick, you likely didn’t add enough pasta water. This can easily be remedied by slowly adding pasta water and whisking until you achieve your desired consistency.
Expert Tips
- Make the sauce the night before, or prepare it on the weekend when you meal prep. Preparing it in advance gives the sauce time to develop the flavors.
- Change the sauce consistency by adding more or less pasta water. For a creamier texture, stick with the measurements given. For a thinner sauce, add a bit more pasta water.
- Salt the pasta water. This is an important step that should not be left out. Salt the water before adding the pasta. This is what infused the pasta with flavor. Don’t be shy with the salt!
- Make your cashew cream if you don’t have cashew yogurt. It’s super simple and only requires cashews, water, and salt. See the recipe card notes for how to prepare your cashew cream.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add Protein: This recipe is easily adaptable to any protein you prefer. One of the things I love about this dish is that I can prep two different proteins, one plant-based protein for myself and one omnivore protein for the rest of my family. I suggest packaged vegan meatballs and Italian sausage for the meat-eaters.
- Add Fresh Vegetables: Add steamed broccoli, cauliflower, leaf spinach, cooked zucchini, yellow squash, button mushrooms, eggplant, or any veggies you like. Sauté in a separate pan, then add to the sauce when simmering.
- Use Fresh Tomatoes: If you don’t have or like canned diced tomatoes, use fresh diced tomatoes.
- Use Gluten-Free Pasta: If you’re gluten-free, substitute the pasta for your favorite brand.
- Use Another Pasta Shape: If you can’t find casarecce, use fusilli, penne, or farfalle.
- Spice it Up: Feel free to get creative with your favorite spices. Add some black pepper, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika.
How to Store and Keep
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat the pasta by adding the desired amount to a small pot, and heating over medium, adding a bit of extra water as needed to thin out the sauce. Or warm in the microwave until the desired temperature is reached. Store leftovers for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze this dish?
You can freeze the sauce, but I don’t recommend cooking and freezing the pasta. Pasta does not defrost well. But you can easily make the sauce in advance, defrost it in the fridge overnight, and then prepare the pasta to toss in the sauce. The sauce will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Pasta Recipes!
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Casarecce Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounce casarecce pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt
Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cup pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, about 2-3 minutes less than the package directions.
- Add olive oil and diced onions to a sauté pan over medium heat while the pasta cooks. Cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the tomato paste, salt, and red pepper flakes. Whisk together and cook until the tomato paste darkens, about 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and ½ a cup of pasta water to the pan. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat, and whisk in the cashew yogurt.
- Drain the pasta, reserving an additional cup of pasta water. Add the cooked pasta and pasta water to the sauce. Toss until combined.
- Top with fresh chopped basil and vegan parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
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- Make the sauce the night before, or prepare it on the weekend when you meal prep. Preparing it in advance gives the sauce time to develop the flavors.
-
- Change the sauce consistency by adding more or less pasta water. For a creamier texture, stick with the measurements given. For a thinner sauce, add a bit more pasta water.
-
- Salt the pasta water. This is an important step that should not be left out. Salt the water before adding the pasta. This is what infused the pasta with flavor. Don’t be shy with the salt!
-
- Make your cashew cream if you don’t have cashew yogurt. It’s super simple and only requires cashews, water, and salt.Â
- Soak 1 cup of raw cashews in boiling water for 10-15 minutes covered.
- Drain the cashews from the water. Add the soaked cashews, ½ cup fresh water, and ¾ teaspoon salt to a high-speed blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside until ready to add to the sauce.
Michelle
Love the creamy but zesty combo of whole food ingredients in this pasta!
Sharon
I love how easy and versatile this dish was! I added it as a side to some grilled chicken, dinner perfection.
TAYLER ROSS
I made this pasta for dinner last night and it was wonderful! A new go to pasta for us!
Mahy
I can never say no to pasta. And this casarecce is a great example why. Fantastic recipe to keep handy!
Ned
This is my new fave! Thank you for the recipe!
stephanie
That looks incredible! I can’t wait to try it. I’ve never even heard of Casarecce before but I love the shape!
Biana
This pasta looks so simple yet so delicious. Will be great served with a tomato salad!
Sandhya S
Omg this is such an easy lunchbox recipe. My kids are going to love it in their thermos.
TAYLER ROSS
I made this pasta for dinner last night and it was delicious! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Sara Welch
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a savory success! Quick, easy and delicious; definitely, a new favorite recipe!
Sharon
This easy and simple casarecce pasta is so easy and simple to make but also full of flavor.
Shelby
Very simple yet very delicious. A perfect recipe for weeknights!
Janessa
This pasta was so delicious and creamy.
Beth
Yummo! I’m a huge fan of creamy tomato sauces, so I’m super eager to try this one. I always love your recipes.
Gina Abernathy
Growing up in an Italian family, pasta was on the menu many nights. This recipe is easy and so tasty. Family approved!