5 Top Pasta "Corta" Recipes

When it comes to pasta most of us have a box or two of 'pasta corta' knocking around somewhere at the back of the cupboard.

By pasta corta we mean penne, rigatoni, fuisili, farfalloni, farfalle, calamarata, garganelli..the list goes on! But most are instantly recognisable from their distinct shapes whether twists, bow ties, quills, rings or short tubes of pasta.

The good news is that these delicous pieces of pasta are perfect to make into an easy meal with creamy or tomato sauces or even into salad.

With this selection you won't have to settle for basic penne and tomato sauce. Instead you'll be able to beef up the flavours and enjoy a dish in its own right.

Here are the penne pasta and other short pasta recipes to have in your repertoire, from simple and spicy to a tasty lunchtime salad.

Enjoy.

Penne with Pesto Recipe

Penne doesn't get much more simple than this. Blitz up some fresh pesto and boil up some al dente pasta, mix the two together and top off with fresh basil.

Italian Penne Pasta

Italian classic penne pasta recipe, with parsley, capers, olives, chili peppers and tomatoes.

Spicy Pasta With Tomatoes

Cook up this spicy pasta salad with tomatoes, capers, rocket and Parmesan cheese for a light and fresh meal.

CAPRESE PASTA SALAD WITH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA BY FDL

Turn your pasta tubes into a delicious caprese pasta salad with mozarella and tomato. 

GARGANELLI PASTA WITH GRANA PADANO CREAM, PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA, AND RADICCHIO

Try traditional Italian garganelli in this knock out dish from Chef Michael White in New York, made with Grana Padano, Parma Ham and radicchio.