8 Best Sicilian Pasta Dishes You Should Try

Is there anything to say about Sicilian food that hasn’t already been said? This sun-kissed Italian island in the Mediterranean has a culinary scene like no other. Its pasta dishes are particularly distinguished, from the hearty pasta alla norma to the vibrant flavors of pasta con le sarde.

If you’ve experienced my Palermo food tours, you can attest to how unique the island’s pasta offerings are. Sicily’s storied history, rich cultural heritage, and abundant fresh ingredients are evident in every dish, coming together to form some one-of-a-kind creations.

There are some terrific Sicilian pasta dishes out there, but these come out on top for me every time!

Iconic Sicilian Pasta Dishes You Must Try

Busiate al Pesto Trapanese

A beloved dish hailing from Trapani, this hearty creation is made from busiate pasta, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, and almonds.

When sailors from Genoa arrived on Sicilian shores, they brought the recipe for the traditional pine nut pesto with them. Locals later put their own spin on this paste and added tomatoes and almonds.

The bright and nutty flavors of the pesto pair incredibly well with al dente busiate, making it a popular summertime Sicilian pasta dish in Trapani.

Pasta al Nero di Seppia

Even if you’ve never heard of pasta al nero di seppia or spaghetti with squid ink, you’ve likely seen pictures of this jet-black pasta dish with white wine, red pepper flakes, and garlic.

It came to fruition in eastern Sicily as fishermen worked to fully utilize the squid they’d caught.

In my experience, there’s no better place to enjoy the earthy, briny flavors and silky pasta than in coastal cities like Palermo and Catania.

Pasta alla Norma

One of Sicily’s most comforting dishes, pasta alla norma is a mishmash of tomato, basil, eggplant, and salted ricotta served with fresh pasta.

This dish is a celebration of Sicily’s agricultural offerings. It got its name from Catania-born composer Vincenzo Bellini, who declared the dish was ‘norma,’ meaning outstanding.

Catania is home to the best pasta alla norma, and its fusion of sweet, salty, and fresh flavors always leaves a lasting impression on me.

Spaghetti ai Ricci di Mare

A rather underrated Sicilian pasta dish, spaghetti with sea urchin combines typical ingredients like white wine, garlic, and parsley with the unique flavors of the sea.

Sea urchin has been a delicacy in Sicily for thousands of years, and locals in Palermo are particularly fond of pairing it with pasta.

When done right, this dish balances rich and delicate tones. The sea urchin should have a buttery, umami taste that’s enhanced by the other, lighter ingredients.

Pasta con le Sarde

Pasta with sardines is a symbol of Sicilian cuisine. I can never leave the island without savoring this union of oily fish, juicy raisins, bitter fennel, soft pine nuts, and crunchy breadcrumbs.

This dish is thought to date back to the island’s Muslim rule, as this spaghetti-based creation uses both Italian and Arab flavors.

No one whips up pasta con de sarde quite like the Palermo natives do, so I suggest enjoying the complexities of this dish while you’re in the Sicilian capital.

Pasta al Pesce Spada 

Like many Sicilian pasta dishes, pasta with swordfish and mint can initially seem quite unorthodox. However, its base of zingy tomatoes, tender eggplant, cooling mint, and meaty swordfish showcases some of the island’s trademark flavors.

Though its origins are unclear, it likely came to prominence during the Arab invasion of Sicily when new ingredients were introduced to the island.

Quality versions of this dish are available all over Sicily, but I’ve had some excellent editions in Messina, a city known for its fresh swordfish.

Pesto di Pistacchi Pasta

Western Sicilians might be fond of almond-based pesto, but those along the eastern shores tend to use pistachios, which led to the formation of pesto di pistacchi pasta.

Bronte, a small town near Mount Etna, is believed to be the birthplace of this dish, as its fertile soils produce some of the finest pistachios on the planet.

The pistachios make the garlicky, herbaceous pesto creamier and more luxurious, and relishing these flavors in Bronte is a must.

A Pasta o Furno

The Sicilians are partial to baked pasta from time to time, and it usually comes in the form of this ragù, tomato, eggplant, and cheese-packed specialty.

This particular recipe is a product of Messina, but the Arab influence on Sicily saw various parts of the island come up with their own variations.

On a chilly winter evening in Messina, nothing can warm me up like this mix of beefy ragù, mild eggplant, chewy pasta, and milky primosale cheese.

Where to Try Authentic Sicilian Pasta Dishes

Photo credit: La Pentolaccia

La Pentolaccia in Catania is a treasure trove for Sicilian pasta dishes. Their homemade pasta is to die for, and the chefs here are particularly gifted at crafting pasta alla norma. I ate every last crumb, as the mild casarecce and nourishing blend of eggplant and acidic tomatoes were heavenly.

La Pentolaccia (€€) – Via Coppola, 30, 95131 Catania CT, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm.

Photo credit: La Galleria

La Galleria has an elegant but rustic vibe, and this Palermo haunt is revered for its pasta dishes. I adore their pasta con le sarde, as the perfectly balanced proportions ensure all the flavors stand out, from the tangy sardines to the punchy fennel.

La Galleria (€€) – Salita Ramirez, 2, 90134 Palermo PA, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm.

 

Photo credit: Gli Archi di San Carlo

Trapani has some top-drawer eateries, including the divine Gli Archi di San Carlo. This is the must-try spot for busiate al pesto Trapanese, and I guarantee the refreshing almond pesto and sauce-savoring busiate will have you hooked!

Gli Archi di San Carlo (€€) – Via Serisso, 40, 91100 Trapani TP, Italy – Open every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, closed every Wednesday.

The Role of Pasta Shapes

Busiate – The oldest of all Sicilian pasta, busiate is made from semolina flour and originated in Trapani. It almost resembles a telephone cord in shape and is somewhat similar to fusilli, holding sauce inside each curl.

Cavatelli – Cavatelli may look like gnocchi on the surface, but it’s quite different from its potato-infused cousin. Although it hails from Molise, on the mainland, it’s ever so popular in Sicily. The name translates to ‘little hollows,’ and every gap in these semolina-based morsels fills with sauce.

Casarecce – A Sicilian classic, casarecce means ‘homemade.’ These long, narrow pieces of pasta have a scroll-like design that sauces cling to, and they’re made by placing a semolina and water mix around tin metal rods.

Tria – Like many Sicilian pastas, tria is made from semolina flour and traces its roots to the island’s Arab traditions. It starts as a pasta sheet but is then cut into long ribbons reminiscent of tagliatelle.

Candele – Candele is another great shape for locking in sauce, thanks to its long, thick tube shape. It’s believed to be native to Naples, but its history is unclear, and it’s also become synonymous with Sicily.

Conclusion

I’m a die-hard fan of classics like arancini, caponata, and cannoli, but these Sicilian pasta dishes deserve just as much praise as their regional counterparts. The quirky shapes, local ingredients, and blend of international influences make every dish feel like a celebration of all things Sicily!

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Palermo. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/palermo/

La Pentolaccia. (n.d.). La Pentolaccia. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.lapentolacciacatania.it/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). La Galleria, Palermo – Restaurant reviews. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187890-d7070858-Reviews-La_Galleria-Palermo_Province_of_Palermo_Sicily.html

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Gli Archi di San Carlo Ristorante Vineria, Trapani – Restaurant reviews. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g494955-d26842681-Reviews-Gli_Archi_di_San_Carlo_Ristorante_Vineria-Trapani_Province_of_Trapani_Sicily.html