Today, together with our Cesarina Alessandra from Palermo, we will learn how to prepare a dish suitable for any occasion, capable of pleasing both adults and children alike: capellini casserole.
If you’re looking for a dish that combines lightness, flavor, and a touch of elegance, capellini casserole is the perfect choice. Capellini are a type of pasta similar to spaghetti but much thinner. In Italian, they are also called "angel hair" precisely because of their delicate strands.
This dish is a refined alternative to classic baked pasta: the capellini are enveloped in a soft, creamy mixture made with cheese and butter, which gives them a tender, creamy interior, while oven baking creates a deliciously crispy crust on the outside.
Capellini casserole is ideal both as a main course and as a more elegant dish for a special lunch or dinner. The contrast between the soft, stretchy interior and the golden, crunchy exterior wins over even the most discerning palates, making it a winning option for those who love to surprise their guests with simple yet irresistibly tasty dishes.
Trying this recipe means rediscovering pasta in a completely new way, transforming simple ingredients into a refined comfort food.
Capellini Casserole
Light, stringy, and delicately flavored, capellini casserole is a refined alternative to classic baked pasta dishes
DifficultyEasy
Preparation time1h 30m
Cooking time1h
Servings10
€
CostMedium
Ingredients
- 1 kg capellini
- 250 g butter
- 1 liter béchamel sauce
- 200 g Emmental cheese
- 200 g Fontina cheese
- 200 g Dutch cheese
- 300 g grated Parmesan cheese
- Peas, to taste
- Cooked ham (optional, if desired)
Method
- Cook the capellini for 2 minutes, then drain and spread them out in a large baking tray so they cool quickly.
- Season with butter and black pepper.
- When they are warm (not hot), add the Parmesan cheese (otherwise the pasta will stick together).
- Grease the baking dish thoroughly with butter and breadcrumbs.
- Mix the béchamel sauce with the cheeses, ham, and peas.
- Line the baking dish (a 32 cm / 12.5-inch round pan) with the capellini, covering the bottom and sides well.
- Pour in the filling and cover with the remaining capellini.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 1 hour, then unmold onto a round serving plate.
Sicily cooking classes and food tours
Ready for a Sicilian coast to coast? Discover our food experiences all over the Island, as you explore beautiful cities such as Palermo, Catania and Syracuse. Visit local fish markets and learn how to cook local recipes, from pasta dishes such as busiate or pasta alla norma to sweet delicacies like cannoli. Sicily and its flavors await!
5 (2)
Cooking classes
Hands in dough and Sicilian flavorsHosted by Laura
Ispica
€147 per guest
Shared Experience
4.9 (14)
Cooking classes
Cooking class: an exciting culinary experienceHosted by Consuelo
Messina
€133 per guest
Shared Experience
5 (20)
Cooking classes
Flavors and colors of Sicilian cuisineHosted by Graziella
Campofelice di Roccella
€133 per guest
Shared Experience
5 (33)
Cooking classes
Cooking class with Sicilian flavorsHosted by Maria Daniela
Messina
€133 per guest
Shared Experience