Description
Paccheri di Gragnano Rigati: characteristics of the format
THE Paccheri di Gragnano Rigati Il Vecchio Pastificio di Gragnano 500g They are one of the most iconic shapes of the Neapolitan tradition: a short, wide tube with a sturdy wall, with deep external lines that increase the adhesion of the condiment.
In this article
Ideal for rich seafood sauces—octopus, clams, shrimp—or rich meat ragù, these Gragnano rigati paccheri are also a staple in timbales and baked pasta dishes typical of Campania cuisine. A generous size that enhances any sauce.
The tradition of the Gragnano Pasta Factory
In keeping with Gragnano's centuries-old tradition, Il Vecchio Pastificio di Gragnano produces, every day under the watchful eye of its master pasta maker, artisanally crafting the highest-quality Gragnano PGI Pasta. The finest durum wheat semolina is selected and blended only with the fresh water from Gragnano's pure, age-old springs, with passion, care, and skill.
Paccheri Rigati PGI are slowly drawn only using bronze dies, as history teaches, which give the pasta an extraordinary roughness. They are dried only at low temperatures, very slowly, to further enhance the product's exceptional quality—unique, flavorful, and fragrant—under meticulous human supervision throughout every stage. A cutting-edge pasta factory with a significant production capacity, it works daily with rigorous and meticulous artisanal methods.
Ingredients: Durum wheat semolina, Gragnano water.
Gragnano PGI Pasta
Gragnano, in the province of Naples, has been known for centuries as the "city of pasta": the unique orientation of the streets in the historic center, oriented to favor the passage of the winds, once allowed the pasta to dry naturally by hanging along the streets. This tradition, which dates back to the 18th century, led to the recognition of Pasta di Gragnano as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in 2013, a trademark that protects the production method and the product's provenance within a defined geographical area.
Bronze drawing and slow drying
The Gragnano Pasta PGI specification requires bronze die-cutting, a technique that creates a rough and porous surface, ideal for holding sauces better than Teflon dies, which are shinier and more slippery. Drying occurs at low temperatures and for longer periods than industrial standards: a slow process that preserves the organoleptic properties of the durum wheat semolina and ensures optimal cooking, even for the most delicate or short pasta shapes.
Water and climate make the difference
Another distinctive factor is the water used for the dough: the springs of the Lattari Mountains, which surround Gragnano, provide water low in mineral salts, a characteristic that, according to local tradition, contributes to the yield and neutral flavor of the pasta, leaving room for the toppings to fully express themselves.
How to recognize authentic Gragnano pasta
The PGI mark is guaranteed by a protection consortium that verifies compliance with the specifications throughout the entire supply chain, from semolina selection to packaging. Only pasta factories operating within the historic Gragnano area, following the required drawing and drying parameters, can use this designation on their labels, guaranteeing a verified, not just declared, production method.
Pairings according to tradition
Each pasta shape historically pairs best with a certain type of sauce: short, rough shapes hold thick meat or legume-based sauces well, while long shapes lend themselves to smoother sauces like oil, fresh tomatoes, or seafood. This is an often overlooked detail, but in Italian cuisine, it plays a crucial role in the success of the final dish.
Discover also the other formats of the Artisan Pasta and the proposals of The Old Pastificio di Gragnano. To learn more about Il Vecchio Pastificio di Gragnano, visit the official website of the manufacturer.






recensioni
There are no recensioni yet