Honeycomb Pasta

Honeycomb Pasta: A Fun and Delicious Twist on Classic Baked Pasta

Welcome back to our kitchen, where we love turning everyday ingredients into extraordinary dishes! Today, we’re excited to share a recipe that’s not only visually stunning but also incredibly tasty: Honeycomb Pasta. This dish combines the comforting flavors of baked pasta with a fun presentation that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Let’s dive into this culinary adventure!

Ingredients:

• Pasta and Cheese Filling:
  • 16 oz manicotti pasta
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 8 oz Mozzarella cheese, shredded (set aside ½ cup for topping)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ shallot, minced (about 1 tbsp)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Additional Ingredients:
  • 2 cups marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Directions:

Prepping the Pasta:

1. Boil the Pasta:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil. Add the manicotti pasta and boil for 5 minutes.
   • Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Slice each noodle in half to ensure even lengths for a level pasta “pie.”

Making the Cheese Filling:

2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
   • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, ½ cup mozzarella, minced garlic, minced shallot, egg, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
   • Transfer the filling mixture to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off for easy filling.

Assembling the Honeycomb Pasta:

3. Assemble the Dish:
   • Lightly spray a 9” springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Coat the bottom of the pan with a little bit of the marinara sauce.
   • Stack the cooked pasta vertically to fill the entire pan, creating a honeycomb pattern.
   • Pipe the cheese filling into each pasta tube until it is filled to the top.

Baking:

4. Bake the Pasta:
   • Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the filled pasta and top with the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
   • Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serving:

5. Finish and Garnish:
   • Remove the side of the springform pan to reveal the beautiful honeycomb structure.
   • Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Quick Facts:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Calories: 520 kcal per serving
• Servings: 8

Conclusion

Honeycomb Pasta is a delightful dish that combines the best of baked pasta with a unique presentation. The rich, cheesy filling paired with savory marinara sauce makes every bite a pleasure. Whether you’re serving this for a family dinner or a special occasion, it’s sure to be a hit. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out in the comments below. Happy cooking!

---

Feel free to share this recipe and subscribe to our blog for more exciting and delicious recipes!

Print