20 Gemelli Pasta Recipes (2024)

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If your dinner routine could use some excitement, these gemelli pasta recipes are sure to give your next meal a mouth-watering twist! The unique shape of the noodles is perfect for holding all kinds of sauces and pairs wonderfully with so many add-in ingredients. Whether you’re craving classic comfort or bold flavor combinations, this list has just what you need for your next pasta night!

20 Gemelli Pasta Recipes (1)

Stuck in a pasta rut? Let’s put a fun twist on your next meal with one of these gemelli pasta recipes!

If you’re unfamiliar with this type of pasta, gemelli is a style of noodle that twists around itself to form a unique corkscrew, spiral pasta. The grooves of the spiral are fantastic for holding all kinds of sauces, so every bite will be packed with delicious flavor!

The texture is also great to pair with so many pasta add-ins like cherry tomatoes and chicken sausage. From a classic creamy garlic recipe to a rich pesto salmon dish and beyond, there’s something for everyone on this list!

1. Gemelli Pasta With Herbed Ricotta

This deliciously fresh vegetarian dinner with burst cherry tomatoes comes together in about 20 minutes. The herbed ricotta sauce is so luscious, it’s hard to believe it’s actually a healthier alternative to cream sauce! Try this one for a perfect light and fresh summer dish.

2. Roasted Vegetables With Gemelli

Brussels sprouts roasted with pancetta, red onion, and garlic make for a wonderfully comforting meal that doesn’t feel too heavy! Enjoy topped with a few squeezes of fresh lemon and a handful of grated Parmesan.

3. Gemelli With Turkey Sausage

This recipe is as delicious as it is easy! Satisfying turkey sausage, crunchy broccoli, juicy tomatoes, and fresh basil topped with some Parmesan make this quick meal a winner.

4. Gemelli With Peas And Pancetta

Soft noodles tossed in a light wine and tomato sauce with pancetta, anchovies, peas, and garlic is super simple yet full of rich, complex flavor. It’s the kind of meal that tastes sophisticated but comes together in only 30 minutes.

5. Gemelli With Mushrooms And Arugula

Earthy mushrooms sauteed in plenty of garlic combined with fresh and peppery arugula is the kind of one-pot meal you’ll want to make again and again. Best of all, you only need 7 ingredients, and that even includes the Parmesan on top!

6. Gemelli With Asparagus And Shrimp

You’re going to love this combination of pasta, fresh asparagus, and grilled shrimp tossed in a white wine and garlic butter sauce. The light flavors of the sauce really let the asparagus and shrimp shine!

7. Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

Gemelli noodles tossed in an easy homemade lemon-basil vinaigrette with shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs is the perfect summer side dish! The vibrant flavor and the fact that it’s so easy to make will have you coming back to this recipe time and time again.

8. Gemelli Pasta With Caramelized Pears

This dish is elegant enough for entertaining guests, but simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight! The corkscrew pasta shape is perfect for delivering the velvety cream sauce and pairs beautifully with the juicy caramelized pears.

9. Baked Feta Pasta

Have you tried this TikTok trend yet? It’s so easy to make, and this version is bursting with big, bold flavors thanks to the pesto and sun-dried tomatoes! Get ready for a gourmet-tasting dinner that takes less than 10 minutes of hands-on prep.

10. Tuna Pasta Salad

After one bite, this gemelli pasta recipe is going to become your summertime go-to! Tuna, onion, peas, and gemelli noodles are sure to be a staple at summer parties and backyard barbecues. Don’t be surprised if the whole batch of this creamy pasta salad is gone in a matter of minutes!

11. Baked Pesto Salmon With Gemelli

This recipe can be served warm or cold! Swirl the basil pesto right into the mayonnaise to create a luscious dressing that will help keep the salmon moist as it cooks, then toss with the pasta and enjoy.

12. Chicken Florentine Pasta

Get ready for one-pot cooking at its finest! The pasta cooks right in the cream sauce, which not only allows it to soak up extra flavor, but also means less dishes to clean up. This easy recipe is layered with bright and fresh flavor despite being so simple to make!

13. Sun Dried Tomato Spinach Pasta

This vegetarian dish is packed with Mediterranean flavors and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Pasta combined with sun dried tomatoes, spinach, goat cheese, and pine nuts will make you want to whip up this simple meal again and again.

14. Braised Beef Ragu With Gemelli

Melt-in-your-mouth tender beef is cooked in a wonderful tomato-based sauce with classic Italian soffritto, red wine, balsamic vinegar, and herbs, then served over soft noodles for a truly exceptional dining experience!

15. Ranch Macaroni And Cheese

For a tasty twist on a classic, Ranch seasoning gives this pasta dish just the right hint of zippy flavor! The gemelli corkscrew pasta is the perfect vehicle for delivering the thick and creamy sauce straight to your mouth.

16. Gemelli With Cauliflower

This Sicilian pasta dish is a delightful combination of flavors and textures! Sweet raisins, crunchy bread crumbs, rich pine nuts, soft cauliflower, and golden saffron is an absolute treat for the senses.

17. Seared Scallops Alfredo

For a rich and hearty pescatarian dish that you can whip up on even the busiest of weeknights, this wonderful seafood recipe is sure to satisfy. You only need 7 ingredients and about 20 minutes to throw it together!

18. Gemelli With Lump Crab And Mushrooms

Who can resist succulent lump crab, earthy mushrooms, and crisp asparagus in a rich lemon butter sauce? The trick is to use a little of the pasta water to thicken up the sauce for a simple dish that is truly delicious.

19. Grilled Tomato And Corn Gemelli

You won’t believe the amazing smoky flavor you get from making the tomatoes and corn on the grill! This dish is sure to become a staple for your summertime grill outs.

20. Fresh Herb Gemelli Pasta

The wonderful medley of herbs, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil give this vegan recipe a surprising depth of flavor. This is the kind of meal that will have your entire family asking for second helpings.

21. Creamy Garlic Pasta

Asparagus, peas, cherry tomatoes, and a little garlic tossed with gemelli pasta in a light cream sauce and topped with Parmiggiano Reggiano is light, fresh, and delightfully tasty! You can also enjoy the leftovers straight out of the refrigerator for an easy lunch.

22. Lemony Pistachio Pesto Pasta Salad

Ditch the pine nuts and try this lemon, sweet basil, and pistachio pesto instead! You’ll love this summery pasta dish that can be served hot or cold. And for a vegan friendly version, simply skip the mozzarella!

23. Gemelli With Anchovies

Creamy mascarpone, sweet cherry tomatoes, anchovies, and olive oil with a bit of dry vermouth create a truly irresistible cheesy sauce. It’s a 10-minute recipe that tastes like you were in the kitchen for hours!

24. Gemelli Pasta With Tomatoes And Feta

Thanks to the fire-roasted tomatoes, you can skip the tedious step of simmering tomatoes for hours and use them straight out of the can! The quick and flavorful sauce includes garlic, basil, spinach, and white beans, plus a little feta cheese on top for a salty burst.

25. Creamy Mushroom Gemelli

You’re going to fall in love with this rich and creamy mushroom sauce! Enjoy it as a vegetarian pasta dish or serve it up with your favorite protein on top. This is the kind of cozy meal that will warm you up on even the coldest winter day.

26. Creamy Italian Sausage Gemelli

Looking for a dish that can be ready in less than 30 minutes and is sure to become an instant family favorite? This easy pasta skillet comes together quickly and is bursting with classic Italian flavors!

27. Gemelli With Butternut Squash And Kale

Tender squash sauteed with sage and sweet Italian sausage creates the kind of hearty dish that just screams comfort food! Serve over tender pasta and top with a drizzle of balsamic for the perfect finishing touch.

28. Pasta E Ceci Alla Romana

For a light pasta dish that will still satisfy, this healthy recipe is simply delightful! Gemelli noodles are cooked al dente and then tossed with garlic, lemon, and crushed red pepper flakes, then topped with crispy chickpeas, sweet roasted garlic, and tender spinach.

29. Turkey Pasta Bake

If you have some leftover turkey, this recipe is the perfect way to put it to good use. Combine with pasta plus artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and pasta sauce then top with a generous amount of mozzarella, then bake until golden and bubbly!

30. Sun Dried Tomato Gemelli

For a meatless pasta dish that’s loaded with flavor, try this 20-minute pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and fresh baby spinach. It’s super easy to make and absolute heaven in a bowl.

Did you try one of the easy dinners? Let me know in the comments below.

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📖 Recipe

20 Gemelli Pasta Recipes (2)

Gemelli Pasta Recipes

Heather

A collection of 20 gemelli pasta recipes plus this easy garlic pasta.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 16 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Calories 412 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 8 ounces gemelli pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Boil water in a medium sauce pot. Add gemelli pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain. (reserve ¼ cup pasta water)

  • In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add in garlic and stir.

  • Stir in hot pasta and ¼ cup pasta water. Stir to coat.

  • Remove from heat and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 412kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 29gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 620mgPotassium: 61mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1995IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

Keyword gemelli pasta

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20 Gemelli Pasta Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is gemelli pasta used for? ›

What Is Gemelli Pasta Used For? You can use gemelli in place of many different short pastas, such as penne or fusilli. It holds sauces well, including meat sauces, cream sauces, tomato sauces, and oil-based sauces. Try it in a simple pasta salad, a hearty baked pasta, or with a classic vodka sauce.

What part of Italy is gemelli from? ›

Originally from the southern Italian region of Puglia, Gemelli is an extremely versatile shape similar to fusilli but with a slightly looser twist.

How long do you boil Gemelli pasta for? ›

For authentic "al dente" pasta, boil uncovered, stirring occasionally for 12 minutes. For more tender pasta, boil an additional 1 minute. Remove from heat. Drain well.

How to make a large batch of pasta? ›

Steps to Cook Pasta for a Party
  1. Cook your pasta ahead of time, in a very large pot, with a lot of salt in the water, not oil. ...
  2. Save some of the pasta water. ...
  3. Cook your pasta to almost al dente. ...
  4. Drain your pasta under cold running water and pull it through the water until its cool. ...
  5. Once cool, portion out onto a sheet pan.
Dec 16, 2016

Why is it called gemelli pasta? ›

Gemelli derives its name from the Italian word for twins, a reference to the spiral shape that resembles two strands entwined around each other. However, it's actually made from a single strand twisted into that spiral shape.

Which pasta is the healthiest? ›

Whole-wheat pasta

Whole wheat pasta has a nuttier flavor and grainier texture than ordinary pasta, but when covered with sauce, it's just as delicious. Unlike typical pasta, whole-wheat pasta contains all three parts of the grain — the bran, endosperm and germ — which means it's less processed and more nutritious.

What pasta is similar to gemelli? ›

Familiar with gemelli? This short, twisty pasta is great for soaking up sauces in all its crevices. Although you can substitute gemelli for any short pasta — like fusilli, rotini, or penne — these gemelli pasta recipes put this unique pasta shape on full display.

What is the 1 10 100 rule for pasta? ›

In Italy, the golden rule for cooking pasta is 1, 10, 100 or 1 liter of water, 10 grams of salt for every 100 grams of pasta.

How much pasta to make for 20 people? ›

When you cook pasta, 2 ounces of dry pasta per person is a good rule of thumb to follow.

How many pounds of pasta for 40 people? ›

The typical quantity we (Italians) use for a dish of pasta is about 100 grams per person. For 40 people it would be 4 kilos, that is about 8.8 pounds.

Is gemelli good for meat sauce? ›

Perfect for

This delicious meat sauce is based on a traditional Italian recipe from Bologna and combines vine-ripened tomatoes, ground meat seasoned with onion, celery, carrot and spices. Combined with perfectly prepared Barilla Gemelli pasta for a delicious meal to be enjoyed anywhere.

What is the difference between gemelli and rotini? ›

Gemelli, or "twins," is a single S-shaped piece of pasta twisted into a spiral. It differs from rotini and fusilli in that it looks like a double helix or double corkscrew, though it's still one piece. Barilla also recommends gemelli for pasta salad.

What is Capellini pasta good for? ›

Due to the fragile nature of this pasta shape, it is traditionally served with lighter recipes in the sense of both taste and texture. For example, it is delicious served in soups or broths or light, olive oil-based pasta sauces like Aglio e Olio or a simple Roasted Tomato Sauce.

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