How to Create a Signature Pasta Dish
Greetings from the Barilla Test Kitchen! Chef Yury Krasilovsky, Executive Chef of Foodservice with Barilla America here.
Today, I want to show you a process for coming up with a new special or signature pasta dish. When you’re feeling stuck or just need a little kickstart to your creativity, I find this really helpful, and it often gives me delicious results.

Here's a handy guide:
Here’s a dish I created using that thought process: Zucchini Cacio e Pepe with tempura fried zucchini blossom!
- • I started with a pasta shape I love, Collezione Rigatoni for a rustic shape with some bite to it.
- • I had gotten some gorgeous zucchini from our friends at Chefs Garden, including some with the blossom attached, and I knew I wanted to do something special with those.
- • Riffing on cacio e pepe was my way to tie it together – the cheese and pepper is a great flavor combination with zucchini, and it also matches the rustic pasta shape.

I love the way this presents, it’s delicious, and while it looks difficult and impressive to the guest, it’s well within the means of a professional kitchen team.
…What will you create? Follow me on Instagram and show me what you come up with!
PS – You can now get your own “Just Add Barilla” box of veggies from Chefs Garden delivered to your home! We’ve partnered with them to help them get through this time with so many of their restaurant customers closed or limited in ordering.