Homemade Cavatelli with Bell Pepper Sauce

Here is the recipe to prepare delicious homemade cavatelli with a bell pepper sauce.

Ingredients for Cavatelli:

• 400 g of durum wheat semolina
• 200 ml of warm water (approximate amount, may vary based on the flour’s absorption)
• Salt to taste

Ingredients for the Bell Pepper Sauce:

• 2 large bell peppers (red or yellow, or one of each color)
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A pinch of sugar (optional)
• Fresh basil or dried oregano to add flavor

Preparation of Cavatelli:

1. Pour the semolina onto a pastry board and make a well. Add a pinch of salt and, a little at a time, pour in the warm water.
2. Start kneading with your hands until you have a smooth, homogeneous dough that doesn’t stick to your hands. If necessary, add more water or flour.
3. Let the dough rest covered with a kitchen towel for about 30 minutes.
4. Take the dough and cut it into small pieces which you will work one at a time, forming long cylinders about one centimeter in diameter.
5. Cut the cylinders into pieces about 2 cm in length.
6. Use the edge of a knife or the tips of your fingers to drag each piece of dough on a flat surface, in order to get the typical concave shape of the cavatelli. Special tools can also be used to shape the cavatelli.
7. Arrange the cavatelli on a floured tray as you proceed with the rest of the dough.

Preparation of the Bell Pepper Sauce:

1. Wash the bell peppers, remove the stem, internal membranes, and seeds, then cut them into strips or cubes.
2. In a wide pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and sauté the garlic until golden, then remove it.
3. Add the bell peppers to the pan and sauté for a few minutes.
4. Lower the flame, cover, and let cook for about 20-30 minutes, until the peppers are soft. Add a pinch of sugar if you want to reduce the acidity.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add basil or oregano to scent the sauce.

Cooking and Assembly:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cavatelli for about 5-7 minutes or until they float to the surface.
2. Drain the cavatelli and transfer them into the pan with the bell pepper sauce.
3. Sauté them together for a few minutes so that they are well flavored.
4. Serve hot with a sprinkle of grated cheese, if desired.

Did you know?

Cavatelli is a pasta shape typical of Southern Italy, particularly in Puglia and Basilicata. Traditionally they contain no eggs and have a shape that resembles small empty shells, which perfectly combines with vegetable or legume-based sauces.