Honeycomb Pasta Recipe: Sweet Hexagonal Delight for Dinner

Dive into the world of culinary creativity with this stunning honeycomb pasta that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

Layered with rich, bubbling cheese and golden-brown edges, this pasta design captivates the senses with its intricate architectural beauty.

Each hexagonal pocket promises a delightful blend of flavors and textures that dance across your palate.

The carefully constructed honeycomb structure traps sauce in its delicate chambers, ensuring maximum taste in every single bite.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike marvel at how simple ingredients can create such a visually striking dish.

Bold pasta lovers will appreciate the technique that transforms a classic recipe into a true showstopper.

Get ready to impress and savor every delectable moment of this culinary masterpiece.

Honeycomb Pasta: Ingredient Highlights

• Pasta: Sturdy tubes perfect for creating structural honeycomb design, choose thick-walled pasta like rigatoni for best architectural integrity.
• Pasta Sauce: Rich, vibrant base that adds moisture and flavor depth, select a robust marinara or tomato sauce with balanced seasoning.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy foundation providing smooth texture and mild tang, choose full-fat version for luxurious mouthfeel.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty component adding complex flavor profile, opt for freshly grated for maximum taste intensity.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melty, stretchy element creating delightful cheese pulls, select low-moisture variety for optimal melting performance.

• Garlic: Aromatic punch delivering deep savory notes, choose fresh cloves for most potent flavor.
• Shallot: Delicate onion-like accent providing subtle sweetness, pick firm, unblemished bulbs.
• Egg: Binding agent ensuring cohesive cheese mixture, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Oregano: Herbaceous Mediterranean touch adding earthy undertones, preferably dried for concentrated flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Consistent seasoning boost, select fine-ground variety for even distribution.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Gentle heat component creating subtle spiciness, adjust quantity based on personal heat preference.
• Salt: Essential flavor amplifier, use kosher or sea salt for balanced seasoning.
• Fresh Basil: Bright finishing garnish offering fresh, aromatic final touch, choose vibrant green leaves.

Tools to Make Honeycomb Pasta a Showstopper

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with salted water.
• Colander: Perfect for draining and rinsing pasta quickly.
• 9
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Great for combining cheese and seasoning ingredients.
• Piping Bag or Ziplock Bag: Ideal for evenly filling pasta with cheese mixture.
• Box Grater: Excellent for shredding fresh mozzarella cheese.
• Sharp Knife: Necessary for slicing pasta noodles in half.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for precise ingredient portioning.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures easy pan release and prevents sticking.
• Oven Mitts: Essential for safe handling of hot bakeware.

How to Assemble and Bake Honeycomb Pasta

• Pasta Preparation

Boil pasta until slightly undercooked, creating a sturdy structure for the dish. Cut noodles into uniform segments that will stand upright in the baking pan.

• Cheese Mixture

Blend creamy ricotta with sharp parmesan, aromatic herbs, and subtle spices to create a rich, flavorful filling that will bind the pasta together.

• Pan Assembly

Grease a round baking pan and spread a thin layer of marinara sauce as a base. Carefully arrange pasta pieces vertically, creating a honeycomb-like pattern.

• Filling Process

Use a piping bag to generously fill each pasta tube with the herb-infused cheese mixture, ensuring every nook is packed with delicious goodness.

• Sauce and Cheese Topping

Generously pour marinara sauce over the structured pasta, allowing it to seep between the tubes. Sprinkle a layer of melty mozzarella on top for a golden, bubbling finish.

• Baking Magic

Place the pan in a preheated oven and bake until the cheese melts and turns a beautiful golden brown, creating a crispy exterior and creamy interior.

• Presentation

Remove from the oven, let it rest briefly, then garnish with fresh basil leaves. Carefully release from the pan and slice into stunning wedges that showcase the intricate honeycomb design.

Add-Ons for Saucy, Cheesy Honeycomb Pasta

• Choose rigid pasta like rigatoni or ziti for the best structural integrity, ensuring your honeycomb stays tall and impressive during baking.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, gouda, or provolone to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Enhance the filling by adding cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or shredded chicken for a heartier meal that satisfies hunger.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to increase or decrease heat, or replace with smoked paprika for a different flavor dimension without intense spiciness.
• Mix finely chopped spinach, roasted bell peppers, or sautéed mushrooms into the cheese filling for added nutrition and texture variety.

Serving Honeycomb Pasta Family-Style

• Dinner Party Centerpiece: Create a stunning visual feast by presenting the honeycomb pasta as the star of your table. Its unique vertical structure and golden-brown top will impress guests instantly.
• Rustic Mediterranean Companion: Serve alongside a crisp Greek salad with kalamata olives, cucumber, and feta to complement the rich, cheesy pasta. A drizzle of olive oil enhances the Mediterranean vibe.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Match this cheesy delight with a medium-bodied red like Chianti or a crisp white such as Pinot Grigio. The wine's acidity will beautifully cut through the pasta's creamy texture.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining slices into next-day lunch by gently reheating in the oven and pairing with a light arugula salad. Sprinkle extra red pepper flakes for an added kick.

Best Way to Store Honeycomb Pasta

• Smart Meal Prep: This honeycomb pasta tastes incredible when made ahead. Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking, storing covered in the refrigerator for maximum convenience.
• Chilled Storage Strategy: Leftover pasta stays delicious for 3-4 days when sealed in an airtight container. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain food safety and optimal flavor.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 6 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
• Reheating Magic: Revive cold pasta by adding a splash of extra marinara sauce before warming. Cover with foil to prevent drying out, ensuring each bite remains as delectable as the first serving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 467 kcal

Servings: 5

Sweet Honeycomb Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Honeycomb pasta combines delicate layers of pasta with rich, creamy sauce in a mesmerizing culinary design. Italian comfort cuisine reaches new heights with this stunning dish that promises complex flavors and elegant presentation for passionate cooks.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 oz (454 g) manicotti pasta
• 8 oz (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 egg
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375°F, positioning the rack in the center for optimal heat distribution.
2. Cheese Preparation: Grate mozzarella, keeping some aside for the final topping, ensuring even texture and melting potential.
3. Pasta Cooking: Boil salted water and cook pasta for 5 minutes until just shy of al dente, then immediately rinse with cold water to pause cooking process.
4. Noodle Configuration: Slice each pasta noodle in half, creating uniform vertical tubes for structured assembly.
5. Cheese Mixture: Blend ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, minced garlic, diced shallot, egg, herbs, and seasonings into a smooth, cohesive filling using a whisk.
6. Pan Preparation: Lightly spray a 9″ springform pan with non-stick coating, then spread a thin layer of pasta sauce across the bottom for foundational flavor.
7. Pasta Assembly: Vertically position pasta tubes tightly to create a honeycomb-like pattern, completely filling the pan’s surface.
8. Filling and Sauce: Transfer cheese mixture into a piping bag and fill each pasta tube, then lavishly cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle reserved mozzarella on top.
9. Baking Process: Bake for 20 minutes until the top turns golden and the sauce begins to bubble enthusiastically.
10. Finishing Touch: Remove springform pan sides and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, aromatic presentation.

Notes

• Pasta Precision: Cook noodles exactly 5 minutes to maintain perfect al dente texture, preventing mushy or hard pasta.
• Filling Technique: Use a piping bag for smooth, even cheese distribution inside each pasta tube, ensuring consistent flavor in every bite.
• Pan Preparation: Lightly spray springform pan and spread thin sauce layer to prevent sticking and create a delicious base foundation.
• Cooling Strategy: Immediately rinse pasta with cool water after boiling to stop cooking process and maintain ideal pasta structure for architectural assembly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 467
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 590 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 73 mg