What is Maltagliati?
Maltagliati is a type of Italian pasta whose name literally means “badly cut” or “poorly cut” in Italian. It originated from regions like Emilia-Romagna and was traditionally made from leftover scraps of dough when cooks made other pasta shapes such as tagliatelle or tortellini.
Instead of discarding these scraps, Italians cut them into irregular flat shapes, often resembling rhomboids, squares or triangles.
Nowadays, you can buy dried versions of maltagliati, which look like slanted squares (rhomboids). These commercially produced pasta pieces have a more uniform shape while still honoring the spirit of the original “badly cut” concept.
8 Italian Maltagliati Pasta Recipes
1) Homemade Maltagliati Sausage Pasta Recipe
This authentic Italian recipe from the Marche region features homemade maltagliati pasta made from a mix of corn and wheat flour, which is surprisingly easy to prepare. The dish pairs this rustic pasta with a rich, hearty sausage and bean ragu, creating a comforting and flavorful meal. This recipe takes about 2 hours, making it perfect for a leisurely cooking session.
2) Chestnut Maltagliati Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This chestnut maltagliati recipe comes from Lombardy, Northern Italy. It features pasta made with chestnut flour, giving it a distinct, slightly sweet flavor. The pasta is paired with a savory, creamy sauce made from mushrooms, garlic, and fresh cream. The combination of the chestnut flour pasta and mushrooms makes for a dish that’s full of fall flavors!
3) Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe from the South Tyrol
This easy ham and cheese pasta bake from South Tyrol (Alto Adige) is a comforting dish made with homemade egg pasta sheets cut into squares, known as ‘fleckerl’. These pasta squares are baked with ham and Asiago cheese which creates a rich, cheesy delight. Although the homemade pasta is easy to prepare, you can save time by using ready-made lasagne sheets.
4) Pasta with Mascarpone
This creamy mascarpone pasta recipe comes from Lombardy, particularly Lodi in the Po Valley. It is a quick and easy dish that takes just 25 minutes to make and requires only five ingredients. Traditionally paired with maltagliati pasta, this rich and indulgent meal is perfect for when you need something delicious in a hurry.
5) Italian pasta fagioli recipe
This pasta e fagioli recipe, known as ‘Perbureira’ in Southern Piedmont, is one of my favorite versions of this classic Italian dish. It includes two types of beans, cannellini and borlotti, paired with homemade egg pasta. The dish includes an accompanying garlic oil (agliata), which gives it a distinctive garlicky flavor, perfect for garlic lovers.
6) Chicken liver pasta with porcini mushrooms
This chicken liver pasta with porcini mushrooms from Italy’s Marche region includes a flavorful blend of rich chicken livers and earthy porcini mushrooms. The dish dates back to the kitchens of Italy’s peasant population, when rural folk relied on foraged and local ingredients to make their meals.
The earthy richness of the porcini mushrooms pairs perfectly with the tender chicken livers, creating a dish that is both very flavorful and steeped in the traditions of Italian country cooking.
7) Corn and Wheat Flour Pasta Triangles with Pancetta
This mixed corn and wheat flour pasta from Abruzzo, known as ‘patellette’, is a very simple maltagliati pasta to make. It has a unique, slightly sweet flavor due to the corn flour and a slightly rustic and porous texture.
This maltagliati is traditionally served in a delicious brothy tomato and pancetta sauce. However, it actually goes well with many other sauces, including seafood!
8) Pasta with Braised Veal and Onions (Maltagliati con L’aggrassatu)
This Sicilian pasta recipe features braised veal and onions, creating a rich, flavorful dish perfect for a comforting meal. The tender veal is slow-cooked with onions until it melts in your mouth, combining beautifully with the maltagliati pasta.
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If you make any of these maltagliati pasta recipes, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Write a comment here on the blog or join and post a comment and photo on my Pastaliciousness Facebook group.
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Buon appetito!
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