I Made Stanley Tucci’s 6-Ingredient Pasta Casserole and It’s Pure Leftover Magic
Updated: Feb. 09, 2024
Note to self: Keep a stash of the necessary leftovers to make Stanley Tucci pasta casserole on hand.
We’ve learned so many valuable lessons from Stanley Tucci. From how to make risotto cakes using leftover risotto, to how to make the perfect Negroni, the actor and avid cook has proven himself to be a master of the silver screen and slotted spoon.
Our latest obsession is the Stanley Tucci pasta casserole taking over TikTok—dare we say it looks even better than Stanley’s favorite sandwich?
What’s in Stanley Tucci’s pasta casserole?
If you have some leftover pasta, a bit of pancetta (or bacon), and a jar of creamy sauce lingering in your fridge, then you have the building blocks you need to make this easy pasta casserole.
Stanley Tucci has become a culinary sensation, try Stanley Tucci’s Risotto Cakes which might be our favorite thing ever.
In Stanley Tucci’s TikTok, he started his casserole with a base of sautéed onion, garlic, and pancetta. Once golden and crisp, he tossed this mixture with some leftover cooked farfalle, bechamel sauce (although he says any creamy sauce would work), and thawed frozen peas before popping it into the oven topped with butter pieces and plenty of Parmesan cheese.
Baked until bubbly, his simple pasta casserole is endlessly versatile (like many other pasta casseroles). No pancetta? Opt for bacon. Swap the farfalle with another short-cut pasta shape or skip the peas and add sauteed spinach, steamed broccoli or mushrooms.
This recipe is a classic example of using kitchen pantry staples to make something truly delicious.
How to Make Stanley Tucci’s Pasta Casserole
The recipe he shared on TikTok yields 4-6 servings.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces pancetta, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, minced
- 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed and drained
- 8-10 ounces leftover farfalle pasta, cooked al dente and drained
- 1 cup leftover bechamel sauce (or a jar of creamy sauce)
- 3 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Try: Whether you’re single or hitched, flavor-packed marry me pasta will woo everyone you make it for.
Directions
Step 1: Saute pancetta and onions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the pancetta and onions and saute until the pancetta is crisp and the onions have softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, then remove the skillet from the heat.
Step 2: Combine in a casserole dish
Lightly grease a medium casserole dish with olive oil, then toss in the cooked pasta, peas, pancetta-onion mixture and bechamel sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce and the pancetta and peas are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Top with butter and cheese, then bake
Top the casserole with Parmesan cheese and scatter the butter pieces over the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and golden on top. Remove, let stand for 5 minutes, and then serve hot—preferably at 10 a.m. like Stanley Tucci, beside a cappuccino. Enjoy!
Originally Published: October 27, 2023
