Jul 14 2026

Cavatelli Recipe

Time40m
Serves4

with duck merguez

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Method

Pasta Preparation

  1. 1

    Cook the Cavatelli

    In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tsp of salt.

  2. 2

    Once boiling, add 2 cups of cavatelli pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes, until al dente.

  3. 3

    Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving a little pasta water in case it’s needed later.

Duck Merguez Preparation

  1. 4

    Cook the Duck Sausage

    In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.

  2. 5

    Add the duck sausage and cook for about 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned and cooked through.

  3. 6

    Add the diced onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

  4. 7

    Stir in the paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix well.

Sauce Preparation

  1. 8

    Make the Sauce

    Add 1 cup of crushed tomatoes and 1 cup of chicken broth to the skillet.

  2. 9

    Bring to a simmer and let cook for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors.

  3. 10

    Stir in the fresh basil and dried oregano just before serving.

Combining Ingredients

  1. 11

    Combine Pasta and Sauce

    Add the drained cavatelli to the skillet with the sausage and sauce.

  2. 12

    Toss everything together to combine, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

  3. 13

    Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

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