"Orecchiette literally translates to "little ears" in Italian, a rather apt name for the pasta's concave shape, deep indentation in the center, and curved rims. Think of it as a tiny bowl, scooping up the luscious, molten cheese sauce in each forkful. Needless to say, this is a change from the usual narrow-tubed macaroni. You get more sauce pooling out from the center, delightfully contrasted by the slightly firm, al dente outer edges."
"This textural shift is one of the easiest ways to make your midnight cravings feel like a cozy, well-prepared dinner, especially when you incorporate other boxed mac and cheese upgrades. Scour the fridge for cold meats or sausages to add pops of salty, smoky goodness. Load up on the cheese or an extra splash of buttermilk to thicken up the sauce, or crack in an egg for a carbonara-inspired twist."
Orecchiette's concave, bowl-like shape gathers and holds molten cheese sauce, producing a creamier center and al dente outer rim that enhances mouthfeel. The pasta's name, meaning "little ears," reflects its deep indentation and curved rims that scoop sauce with each forkful. Swapping macaroni for orecchiette alters texture without changing core ingredients, elevating simple mac and cheese into a restaurant-worthy dish. Simple additions like cold meats, sausages, extra cheese, buttermilk, or a cracked egg add savory depth. Leftover vegetables and proteins can be incorporated for convenience and flavor.
Read at Tasting Table
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