Brendan O'Connor Hearty Autumn Pasta Recipes with Catherine Fulvio
Oct 11, 2025
Dive into comforting autumn pasta dishes with delicious creamy sauces! Explore how pasta shape can influence flavor and sauce retention. Learn about a cheesy chicken pasta bake that's perfect for leftovers, as well as tips for a spicy penne alla vodka. Discover the magic of pasta water for creamy textures. Plus, enjoy a unique twist with Sicilian aubergine balls served with orzo. Each dish is not just hearty but also simple to make, making your autumn meals a delightful experience!
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Match Pasta Shape To Sauce
- Different pasta shapes suit different sauces because some are designed to hold sauce while others let it sit on the surface.
- Use tubular, ridged, or shell shapes in autumn to capture richer, heavier sauces and baked dishes.
Make Pasta Bakes Freezer-Friendly
- Make a bechamel from butter, flour and milk and add mature cheddar for a cheesy chicken penne bake.
- If freezing, make the bake about 20% saucier because pasta absorbs sauce as it sits.
Two Tips For Penne Alla Vodka
- For penne alla vodka, heat chillies in cold oil so their heat infuses the oil before adding other ingredients.
- Mix cooked pasta with the sauce before adding Parmesan so the cheese doesn't turn stringy.