Easy Baked Cavatappi Pasta
on Feb 05, 2021, Updated Nov 28, 2023
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Also called corkscrew pasta, cavatappi noodles are known for their spiral shape, great for holding onto sauces. Surprise your kids by making their favorite mac and cheese with this 30-minute fun and easy Cavatappi Pasta! They are delicious on their own or served as a side at your next family dinner.
Watch Me Cook Cavatappi Pasta
Related: If you want to use the traditional macaroni pasta, check out our Copycat Mac and Cheese Recipe. Want to try another sauce? Take a look at our Alfredo Sauce recipe.
What is Cavatappi?
Cavatappi is a variety of macaroni that’s distinguished by its unique tubular, spiral shape. This pasta is short, thin, and ridged. It’s native to southern Italy.
The spiral design of cavatappi pasta makes it the ideal noodle for this creamy pasta bake! The thick, cheesy sauce clings to the ridged corkscrew noodles, so every bite is filled with hearty flavor.
Fun fact: Cavatappi is the Italian word for “corkscrew”!
Easy Tips To Cook the Best Cavatappi Pasta
My favorite way to cook cavatappi pasta is to bake it with homemade cheese sauce. You can make it 1-2 days ahead of time. It’s a FUN version of the classic mac and cheese.
Cook your cavatappi to slightly less than al dente. Check the package directions and find the cooking time for “al-dente”. Then set a timer to cook for 2 minutes less than the package directs, as the pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
Cook your cavatappi pasta in salted water. Add enough salt to the boiling water before adding pasta. The water should taste salty so that it can enhance the pasta’s flavor and texture.
How much salt to add to pasta water?
Add 1 tablespoon of salt to about 4 quarts of water (16 cups). This is enough to cook one pound (450 grams) of pasta.
Stir the pasta occasionally to prevent sticking.
Add cold milk to make the roux and thicken the sauce. Cook your roux until you see bubbles on the surface. Then continue cooking for 2 more minutes before removing from the head and adding the cheese.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
- This Penne Bolognese combines penne pasta and meat sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, veggies and seasonings.
- For a completely comforting and satisfying pasta dinner, you’ll want to try this Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara. This creamy pasta dish is made with linguine pasta, chicken, shrimp, eggs, bacon, garlic, and an easy cheese sauce.
- For a quick and easy summer dish, try our BLT Pasta Salad, which combines bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, pasta farfalle, and seasonings! It’s ready in 15 minutes.
- This Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage combines ziti, Italian sausages, 3 types of cheese, and a rich tomato sauce.
If you tried this recipe, let me know how your Cavatappi Pasta turns out in the comments below!
Creamy Cavatappi Pasta Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1/2 lb cavatappi pasta*, uncooked
- 1/2 tablespoon salt, for cooking the pasta
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
For the Cheese Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ¼ cup milk**, Cold
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese***, (divided)
- optional chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 °F. Grease a square 8 x 8-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When boiling, sprinkle some salt, and then add dried cavatappi pasta. Cook until al dente (About 2 minutes less than the package directs).
- Drain the pasta and drizzle with olive oil to keep it from sticking. Set aside to cool while preparing cheese sauce.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add flour, salt, and pepper. Whisk and cook for 2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in cold milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for a few minutes until you see bubbles on the surface. Then continue cooking for 2 more minutes until the mixture is barely thickened.
- Remove from heat and add 1 cup shredded cheese. Stir until melted.
- Add the cooked cavatappi noodles and toss to coat.
- Pour half of the mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the top.
- Add the remaining mixture and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Sprinkle the optional chopped parsley, and serve hot with your favorite veggie or salad.
Notes
- *Use full-fat milk for the most creamy texture. But it’s ok to use any type of milk.
- **When making the roux, make sure the milk is cold before adding to the butter and flour mixture. This will prevent the flour from clumping.
- ***Use the high-quality block cheese and shred it by yourself. Avoid pre-shredded cheese as it won’t melt properly. I used cheddar in this recipes. Other great options include gruyere, mozzarella, and gouda. Feel free to mix different kinds of cheese.
- To store: It’s best to serve immediately when it’s hot and the sauce is creamy. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat: Stir in a splash of milk and reheat over medium-low heat on the stovetop.
- To freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze it in an airtight container or freezer-friendly bags.
- Can I Make it Ahead of Time? Yes, follow the instructions above (but don’t bake), cover tightly with foil and refrigerate 1-2 days ahead. When you’re ready, let the dish sit on the counter for 30 minutes. Bake at 325 °F for 25-35 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the pasta is cooked through.
- Other ways to use cavatappi pasta:
- Pesto Cavatappi
- Cavatappi Pasta Salad
- Cavatappi Pasta and Chicken
- Cavatappi Pasta and Shrimp
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
