Orecchiette is a really ancient type of pasta from Puglia and Basilicata.
Of course, this pasta got its name from the shape of them.
So, glad I made these simple delicious pasta fun shape because the kids just loved them and they are great in soups or with Broccoli, Garlic and Oil too!
Orecchiette (pronounced [orekˈkjette]; singular orecchietta; from Italian orecchia, meaning 'ear', and -etta, meaning 'small') are a pasta that is popular in Southern Italy.
We assume that's where one of their names "Little Ears" got famous for orecchiette pasta.
Scroll down to the recipe card for our printable recipe.
Homemade Pasta is the Best!
Back in the 1960s, I would watch my Aunt make this pasta.
As a little girl of 5 or 6, I use to go to my Aunt Anna's house and watch her make these with her five daughters.
These were always special and made on either Easter, Birthdays, Anniversaries or another special occasion.
It took a while to get the feel to make the shape just right, but after a few times, it was really simple.
Ingredients You Will Need (exact measurements are in the recipe card below
- semolina
- water
- salt
- flour
Nicknames for Orecchiette
- little ears
- hats
- bowls
- small ears
- Note:(my Grandma used this dough to make small rings)
Tips for making Orecchiette
- using semolina is denser than floured pasta and requires kneading the dough
- keep the excess dough covered while rolling and cutting the ropes into pieces
- roll long pieces of dough into a rope style then cut into 1 - inch pieces
- hold a butter knife at a 45-degree angle to your work surface, then press and roll the piece of dough toward you
- place the dough over a finger and turn it in the opposite direction inside out to make a hat looking shape
Other Recipes To Try
Grandma's Spaghetti and Meatballs
Pasta Fazool
Authentic Fettucine Alfredo not the American version
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A Fun Pasta
This is a fun pasta to teach children how to make and a great family traditional memory.
It takes a few tries but once you get the hang of it, they are fun to make, delicious to eat, and a memory that lasts a lifetime in your kitchens.
This is one pasta loved through the years by all, hope you enjoy our family recipe.

Homemade Orecchiette Pasta
Yield: 2 pounds
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 45 Min
This is Orecchiette pasta also know as little ears, hats, and several other nicknames. This Italian homemade pasta recipe is easy and delicious. Fresh is the best!
Ingredients
- 1 cup semolina flour
- Tip: (I keep my unused semolina in the freezer to keep it fresh)
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup lukewarm water, plus 3 to 4 tablespoon
Instructions
- Mound both flours on a pastry board or work surface, make a well in the middle and add the salt.
- Pour in the water slowly adding the flour together.
- Turn it out onto a board and start kneading) Work the dough until no dry flour remains.
- Knead until smooth and elastic. About 3 to 4 minutes.
- Roll the dough into a ball and cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.
- Let it rest for about 20 minutes.
- When you are ready to make the orecchiette, cut off about 1/3-of the dough and roll it out into ropes.
- Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces.
- Using a butter knife roll the piece at a 45-degree angle toward you.
- Turn that piece inside out using a finger in the opposite direction to form a little ear/hat shape.
- Place on a floured cookie sheet.
- Note: The pasta can be cooked right away, stored overnight covered at room temperature or, frozen and added to freezer bags after solid.
- Cooking instructions:
- Let a 5-quart pan filled with water and a few teaspoons of salt come to a boil.
- Add the orecchiette and boil until they float to the top or test one for how you prefer your pasta cooked.
- Serve topped with Traditional Sunday Italian Meat Sauce and sprinkle with red pepper flakes on top with grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
755.60Fat (grams)
2.10Sat. Fat (grams)
0.32Carbs (grams)
156.20Fiber (grams)
6.63Net carbs
149.57Sugar (grams)
0.34Protein (grams)
23.50Sodium (milligrams)
271.25Cholesterol (grams)
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More Recipes To Try
Seafood and Crab Lemon Scampi Pasta
15 Favorite Easy Pasta Recipes
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2010. It was edited and re-published in 2017.
Happy B-Day Curt. Beautiful homemade pasta. Great job.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
the "hats"are so cute!happy birthday for your son,claudia!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I so wish you could feed me.
ReplyDeleteMy hats off to you for making your own pasta.
ReplyDeleteThis pasta looks amazing. Maybe one day, I'll take the leap and make homemade pasta.
ReplyDeleteI just made a dish with orecchiette the other day. I so wish I had this recipe then. But I've got it bookmarked now.
ReplyDeleteThese mini hats look so adorable! I love the homemade one, they are so fresh and delicious.
ReplyDeleteI love orecchiette, they look so fun to make! Happy birthday Curt - I would eat 2 platefuls as well!!
ReplyDeletePerfect little pastas...Happy Birthday to your son:)
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, nice birthday! Nice mom! GREG
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Curt! Pasta party for today - yum yum!.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
Gera
We call these 'little ears' - it's been such a long time since I've eaten them! Your home-made ones look completely delicious! What a treat for you son on his b-day. Happy Birthday Curt!
ReplyDeleteHappiest Birthday to your son! You did a brilliant job on these. While I have made homemade pasta before, I have never attempted to make orecchiette, so kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteThese are so pretty and just scrumptious! Happy birthday to Kurt!
ReplyDeleteLove pasta, and this looks great. Never tried to make my own homemade pasta though....will have to give it a try. I have yet to understand the diff between red sauce and Sunday sauce.
ReplyDeleteLovely! Just like the chinese pinched noodles that I just made.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love it when they ask for birthday food and it turns out perfect! Happy Birthday to your baby and thanks for sharing the recipe. Been thinking about some home made pasta. you make this one look so easy I just have to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI make homemade orecchiette and love them. Takes a little time but not difficult and worth the effort. Like your recipe and will try it.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Patricia
Oh Claudia, not only did you make homemade pasta, but you made my favorite. I love orecchiette-it feels so good in the mouth!
ReplyDeleteHappy Father's Day to you all.
*Oop, and happy b-day to Curt!
How wonderful to reach into your past and making something with so many memories attached to it! These little hats are fantastic...looks like something fun to do with the kids!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Curt! Great job on the orecchiette... lol our hats off to you on this delicious pasta.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Curt - it looks as if he had a perfect one. I have never made orecchiette - and now will. I wish I had paid more attention when I was a wee one to my grandmother - but those were the years you took everything for grated. There's always something delicious waiting when I visit!
ReplyDeletereally late getting here and I see Greg beat me to it, "Hats off to ya" - Happy BDay Curt and Mama C, that's a wonderful dish...
ReplyDeleteOrecchiette is a special birthday treat! I love homemade pasta,beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThese look beautiful and delicious! I'm always up for new, fun pasta shapes :)
ReplyDeleteYum! I love homemade pasta and the shape of these is so cute! It looks like Curt had a great birthday.
ReplyDeleteThese look wonderful! I would want them for my BD too! He looks pretty content with his plateful.
ReplyDeleteLove homemade pasta..and these looks cooo cute! great job..
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Curt, nice recipe, looks so yummy :)
ReplyDeleteI love orrecchiette! I think it means little ear in Italian. It's one of my favorite pasta shapes because it holds more sauce.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! I'm sure it was happy with this beautiful orechiette dish! they do look like tiny ears :o) - Great job Claudia!
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday Curt! This looks so comforting and delicious Claudia. You're making me crave pasta again!
ReplyDeleteThese are perfect! I have been wanting to attempt making orecchiette for a long time and you have given me the inspiration to do so.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic tutorial! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat little morsels of pasta!
ReplyDeleteBon appetit!
=:~)
P.S. Can you tell I have a long road of catching up to do?