Tagliatelle pasta muffin nests; great party food!
Sformatini di tagliatelle.
Although not an old traditional dish, these tagliatelle pasta muffin nests are becoming really popular here in Italy. They make great snacks or party food and can be made with different pasta sauces. I have found recipes for these pasta nests with similar ingredients to carbonara, with Bolognese sauce, with pesto and with mushrooms! So you can be pretty creative when making them!
(click to go straight to recipe)
In Italian, they are often called ‘sformatini ‘ which translates to pies in English. But, since these are made in a muffin dish and look like nests, I think calling them pasta muffin nests is more apt! What would you call them?
Some Italian recipes refer to them as ‘timballi’, timballini or tortini, but ‘tortini’ also means little pies and a timballo is usually a larger baked pasta either inside a pastry crust or surrounded by vegetables like my parmigiana timballo with ziti.
The pasta for your muffin nests.
I used fresh tagliatelle from Giovanni Rana to make my pasta muffin nests. Not homemade, as here in Northern Italy I can buy very good fresh tagliatelle. However if you can’t find fresh pasta and don’t want to make the pasta yourself, dried tagliatelle would be just as good. You can also use spaghetti!
The pasta sauce.
The sauce in this pasta muffin nests recipe is what Italians call ‘alla Mediterranea’, Mediterranean sauce. It includes typical Mediterranean ingredients such as tomatoes, olives, onions, peperoncino (red chili pepper) etc. It’s easy to make and doesn’t take very long.
Making the pasta muffin nests.
As I mentioned above, these pasta nests are made in a muffin tin. I used a 12 muffin tin so that the ingredients will make 12 pasta muffin nests. Once you have made the Mediterranean sauce and cooked the pasta, you will also need a mixture of eggs, grated pecorino cheese, chives and cream to pour over the pasta once it is in the muffin tin. As a final touch a few cubes of mozzarella on top to give the nests a golden cheesy finish!
I’m sure you’ll love these tagliatelle pasta muffin nests. They’re bound to be a winner with both family and friends and I’m sure the kids will love them too!! If you do make these delicious pasta nests please do let me know how they turn out. You can rate this recipe and comment at the bottom of the recipe page or write a comment on The Pasta Project Facebook page. I'd so love to get your feedback!
Buon appetito!
(see the recipe on the next page. Just scroll down and click 2)
April says
These look so good. I'm a big fan of pasta so I love reading new ways to make it. I will have to try this one out. I think it would also be perfect for my 2 picky toddlers.
admin says
Grazie April! I'm sure your kids will love these pasta muffin nests. They're kinda fun but really tasty too! Greetings from Verona!
sondria Harp says
This is such a super fun way to eat pasta. My kids are picky eaters
but i'm sure they will love this.
admin says
Hi Sondria, thank you! Yes these pasta muffin nests are a winner with kids! Am sure yours will love them! All the best from Verona! Jacqui
Fred Nonterah says
Tagliatelle Pasta muffin nests are so creative and look very flavorful. The first thought that cross my mind when I first saw it was, " how did she get them to be that way?". Glad you shared with us. Thanks
admin says
Aww thanks Fred! As you probably saw in the recipe these tagliatelle pasta muffin nests aren't that difficult to make. They're very tasty and a winner at parties! Hope you'll give them a try! Jacqui
Lisa says
These look so delicious! Little baskets full of flavor!
admin says
Grazie Lisa! Yes little baskets of flavour that go down so well at parties and with kiddies! All the best. Jacqui
Stephanie says
I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before! These look so delicious - the perfect party appetizer!
admin says
Grazie di cuore as the Italians say Stephanie! Yes, these cuties are great for parties. My guests always love them! Have a great day! Jacqui
Gingey Bites says
These look great - I think they'd make a nice packed lunch with some salad. I'm going to give them a try this weekend. Do you think you could freeze the ones you don't eat straight away?
Heather says
What a fun idea! It's like portable pasta, which might just be the best thing ever invented! 🙂 Yummy recipe!
Syeda Rubab says
Can we use egg noodles for this recipe???
admin says
Hi Syeda, I would think this recipe works with any kind of egg noodles. After all, tagliatelle are a type of egg noodle and you can make it with spaghetti too. If you try it, do let me know how it turns out! All the best. Jacqui
Ramona says
Oh my, oh my! I will actually make these yummy nests as soon as possible- they look magnificent, I’m sure they taste a treat and are such a wonderful idea for a party!! I’m so impressed with these. Amazing idea Jacqui, thank you for the inspiration
admin says
Aww thank you so much Ramona! I love this idea and as you say, perfect for parties. They can also be made with different sauces so next time I make them (good reason to have a party!) I want to try with bolognese or pesto! Have a great day! Love Jacqui
Brian Jones says
Oh boy do they look real tasty, I reckon I'll be in the corner with the tray, all of it 😀
admin says
haha Brian! So when you come to my party, I'll have to make an extra dish of them just for you!! Ciao from Verona! Jacqui
Sandra Shaffer says
These pasta nests are a wonderful appetizer for a party! It looks like you can pick them up with your fingers too? Putting these on my menu for my husband's family birthday get together. These are going to be a hit! Thank you!
admin says
Thanks so much Sandra! I'm thrilled you are going to give these pasta muffins a try! Yes, you can eat them as finger food. The ones I made were not messy at all! The only problem is making enough because they disappear fast! All the best from Verona! Jacqui
Ellie says
This looks so delicious and creative! Awesome idea!
admin says
Aww thanks so much Ellie! These pasta nests are fab aren't they? I love them! Now I want to try with other sauces! Def on the menu for my next party! All the best from Verona! Jacqui