Casarecce Pasta alla Peperonata (sweet pepper sauce); Southern Italian Recipe.
The star of this seriously tasty casarecce pasta alla peperonata is a stewed sweet pepper sauce that’s very traditional in Southern Italy. Peperonata can also be eaten as a side dish or on bruschetta.
Pasta alla Peperonata.
Peperonata is a vegetarian Mediterranean recipe based on sweet peppers (capsicums) stewed in a pan with garlic, onions and tomato sauce. This is a typical Southern Italian recipe, originally from Sicily, Calabria and Campania. But, it is eaten in many other parts of the Italian peninsula.
Peperonata is traditionally a summer dish, since sweet peppers are in season in Italy from June to September. Like many Southern Italian recipes, this is a simple uncomplicated dish made with seasonal ingredients that have bold flavours brought out by the way they are cooked. Many Italians prefer to eat peperonata cold and, as is often the case with stewed dishes, it is even better eaten the next day.
Italians eat peperonata as a side dish with both meat and fish, but also on bruschetta or on pasta, like in this casarecce pasta all peperonata. I think eating it with pasta is my favourite way to have it!
Shopping for ingredients.
When buying peppers for this pasta alla peperonata choose medium-sized and firm ones. They are usually sweeter. Also, look out for the orange ones. Those are the sweetest of all. Some people include green peppers but, I prefer the red, yellow and orange ones. You can also just use red ones. In addition, if you can find them, use Tropea red onions from Calabria. These are more delicate than other onions. If not, red onions are best or shallots.
This casarecce pasta alla peperonata is made with a classic peperonata. This is a very simple and reasonably fast sauce. However, simple and fast doesn’t mean bland. This is really tasty! Every region, or even every town, in Southern Italy has its own recipe for stewed sweet peppers. For example, one version in some areas of Sicily includes breadcrumbs, which are added just before the sauce is ready.
The Pasta.
I served this pasta alla peperonata with dried casarecce pasta from Gragnano. You can also use fresh or homemade casarecce pasta too.
Casarecce is a traditional short pasta originally from Sicily but popular throughout Southern Italy. They're short pasta noodles with curled edges and a groove down the middle. They look a bit like little rolled up scrolls.
You can read more about this pasta on my casarecce post. I used this particular pasta because it’s typical Southern Italian and goes really well with the sweet pepper sauce. In fact, I think this is one of the best casarecce pasta recipes I know! However, you can use any type of pasta. I would recommend short pasta like penne, cavatelli, orecchiette or rigatoni.
Making pasta alla peperonata.
Making casarecce pasta alla peperonata is simple. Just gently fry the onions, garlic and pepper strips until they start to soften. Then add tomatoes and passata and a little wine vinegar and simmer covered for about 30 minutes until the peppers are really soft and everything has come together in a rich stew. While the peppers are cooking you can boil the water for the pasta and cook it. Add the drained pasta to the ready sauce and serve with grated cheese and some parsley or basil if you like.
If you do try this casarecce alla peperonata recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. Please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.
Your feedback means a lot to me!
Buon Appetito!
Foodie Travel Tip!
In Italian, sweet peppers (bell peppers/capsicums) are called peperoni (with one ‘p’!). When on holiday in Italy, many non-Italians make the mistake of ordering pizza con peperoni, expecting pepperoni (spicy sausage). Here, spicy sausage/salami isn’t known as pepperoni. If you want spicy salami or sausage in Italy, ask for salame piccante, salamino piccante or salsiccia Napoletana piccante. (piccante means spicy/hot)
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Eileen Kelly says
My mouth is watering for this sweet pepper sauce! perfect with the pasta for an easy and delicious dinner! I will make a double batch, I want some for lunch too!
Jacqui says
Thank you Eileen! This sweet pepper sauce is really mouth-watering! You can also eat it as a side dish or on bruschetta! So delicious!
Amanda says
I love all the pretty colors going on in this dish. Looks so fresh tasting. Can’t wait to try this one!
Jacqui says
I'm sure you'll love this pasta recipe Amanda! The peppers make it both colourful and flavourful! A real winner!
Lathiya says
I'm learning lots of types of pasta here...the sweet pepper sauce sound great and am sure that enrich the taste of the dish
Jacqui says
Thanks Lathiya! This sweet papper sauce is wonderful! You can use other types of pasta or even eat it as a side dish!
Stine Mari says
That sweet pepper sauce sounds delicious and really easy to make too. It looks like a fresh and summery pasta dish. And I'd love to try it on bruschetta too, yum!
Jacqui says
I am sure you'll love this peperonata Stine! It is so flavourful and great with pasta or on bruschetta!
Gloria says
I would love to visit Italy....just for the food alone. You can never go wrong with a great pasta dish. This looks delicious. All we need is a nice bottle of wine, and this would be perfect for a weekend date night dinner.
Jacqui says
Italy is definitely a foodie heaven Gloria! I hope you'll get to visit one day soon! Yes this is a great date night recipe. Quite easy to make but really full of flavour and looks beautiful too!
Juli says
Sweet Pepper Sauce sounds so delicious right now! I would love to have some right now and I love that it can be enjoyed cold! Thank you for sharing!
Jacqui says
So glad you like this recipe Juli! This sweet pepper peperonata is seriously delicious and, yes, can be enjoyed cold as a side dish or with bread too!
Morgan Eisenberg says
This is a great twist on classic Sunday dinner, I can't wait to try it!
Jacqui says
Thank you Morgan! I'm sure you'll love pasta alla peperonata when you try it! So delicious!
Byron E Thomas says
The pasta project - finally, something I can get totally excited about! I just tried this recipe at home. Although I didn't have any of those pasta shapes, I used just regular penne pasta and it was delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and now you have a faithful reader. I can't wait to try your other recipes!
Jacqui says
I'm thrilled you liked this recipe so much Byron! I think penne is a good pasta choice too! Do let me know what you think of any other recipes you try! All the best from Verona!
Tara says
Love your photos of those colorful peppers! This sounds like such a wonderful, flavorful pasta dish.
Allison says
I made something similar to this years ago, but your recipe is even better than that one. Delish!
Noelle says
I love this, never tasted anything similar to it. Amazing recipe!
Chichi says
Wow. Pepperoni means peppers in Italian? I love these sweet peppers. They make everything better in my opinion. I am loving this recipe already yum.
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Chichi! Yes peperoni with one 'p' is peppers in Italian, not spicy sausage! I love using sweet peppers both with pasta and in other dishes. They are so flavourful!
Emily says
How interesting! I've never had casarecce pasta before but it looks delicious. Can't wait to try this recipe.
Jacqui says
Grazie Emily! Casarecce is a typical Southern Italian pasta. Luckily nowadays lots of pasta makers produce it so you should be able to find some and try it. Of course this recipe can be made with other types of pasta too!
Colleen says
This dish looks so simple, fresh, and flavourful, and a nice change from tomato based sauces. Can't wait to try it!
Jacqui says
Thank you Colleen! Yes this sauce is a great alternative to a tomato based sauce. I'm sure you'll love it!
Elaine Benoit says
I love all the bell peppers you used in the sauce. This looks so delicious and that pasta is one of my favorites to eat!
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Elaine! This bell pepper sauce is really yummy and goes so well with the casarecce pasta! A great pairing!
Mike Hultquist says
I absolutely LOVE peperonata! One of my favorites, with all this peppers slowly cooked. This is great with the onion and tossed with pasta. So perfect.
Jacqui says
Thank you dear Mike! I love peperonata too! It's just so flavourful and yet simple to make!
kim says
Love this warm and cozy recipe! Will definitely be making this one again and again!
Jacqui says
Thanks Kim! This recipe is fabulous in summer and winter! I'm sure you really will want to make it often once you've tried it!
Mary Bostow says
This sounds fantastic! Looks tasty! This recipe is perfect for me and my family. Thank you!
Jacqui says
Thank you Mary! I'm sure you will all love this pasta dish!
Julia says
Thanks for the tip! I had no idea peperoni meant peppers in Italian.
Jacqui says
You're welcome Julia! At least if you're ever ordering in a restaurant in Italy, you'll know 'peperoni' isn't spicy sausage!
Danielle Wolter says
I love how fresh and simple this is. sweet peppers are so awesome to cook with, their flavor is so delicious. Def a great weeknight meal!
Jacqui says
Thank you Danielle! Yes sweet peppers really have a wonderful flavour, especially when slow cooked or stewed like in this recipe!