Profile

Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane


Scicli’s Pastizzu Scupertu: Rustic Sicilian Baked Pasta Without a Crust

Scicli’s Pastizzu Scupertu: Rustic Sicilian Baked Pasta Without a Crust

📖 What is it

Dive into the heart of Sicily with this luscious baked pasta dish from Scicli, featuring tender cauliflower, black olives and a blend of authentic Sicilian cheeses – a soulful taste of the Mediterranean.

⏱️
Prep Time
About 20 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
Around 50 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 6
📊
Difficulty
Moderate
💰 Moderate
🗓️ Winter
4.9/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • 500g short pasta (like macaroni, rigatoni or penne)
  • 1 medium cauliflower
  • 100g fresh breadcrumbs
  • 120g pitted black olives
  • 50g raisins
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 50g sun-dried tomatoes
  • 50g pine nuts
  • 200ml tomato sauce
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 250g Ragusano DOP cheese
  • 100g grated Sicilian pecorino DOP

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
510 kcal
Protein
22 g
Fat
25 g
Carbohydrates
48 g
Fiber
6 g
Sugars
7 g
Sodium
380 mg

Fancy a hearty Sicilian dish that’s comforting and full of character? The pastizzu scupertu di Scicli is a crust-free twist on classic baked pasta, layered with cauliflower, olives, raisins, pine nuts and top-quality DOP cheeses. A traditional recipe from the Ragusa region, it’s a wonderful choice for a cosy Sunday lunch with family.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Trim the cauliflower into florets and boil in salted water. Keep the cooking water for the pasta.

  2. 2

    Warm some olive oil in a pan and lightly fry two crushed garlic cloves. Add the cauliflower, tomato sauce, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, olives, raisins and pine nuts.

  3. 3

    Simmer gently over a medium heat for 15 minutes, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

  4. 4

    Meanwhile, cook the pasta in the reserved cauliflower water but drain when it’s just half cooked.

  5. 5

    Mix the pasta in with the sauce, tossing well to blend all those delicious flavours.

  6. 6

    Grease a baking dish with olive oil and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Layer in the pasta, alternating with grated pecorino.

  7. 7

    Finish with a topping of breadcrumbs, pecorino and slices of Ragusano cheese.

  8. 8

    Bake in the oven at 200°C for about 20 minutes, until the surface turns golden and crisp.

  9. 9

    Allow to rest a few minutes before serving your warm, gooey *pastizzu scupertu di Scicli*.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a richer flavour, stir in finely chopped anchovies or swap part of the Ragusano for caciocavallo cheese. If you prefer a lighter dish, simply stick to cauliflower and olives as your main filling.

📦 Storage

  • Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
  • Reheat in the oven at 180°C for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Individual portions freeze well for up to 1 month.

🍷 Pairing

Serve this rustic delight with a glass of Delia Nivolelli Rosso Riserva, a full-bodied and velvety red that beautifully complements the richness of Sicilian cheeses and cauliflower.

There’s something wonderfully inviting about sharing a warm, authentic Sicilian pasta bake with loved ones. This pastizzu scupertu is just the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table, full of comforting flavours and a real sense of place. I do hope you’ll give it a whirl at home, and maybe even make it a new family favourite – it’s simply begging to be enjoyed with good company and a hearty glass of wine.

Rate this recipe

Click or tap the stars to rate


Potrebbero interessarti anche: