Leftover Charcuterie Board Pasta

Serves 4

This recipe is a clever way to transform leftover charcuterie board bits into a comforting pasta dish. From cheeses and cured meats to olives, pickles, and crackers, everything finds its place in this dish. For extra flavor and texture, sauté the meats until crispy before mixing them into the pasta—it adds a delightful crunch and enhances the dish’s savory depth. And if you have leftover bread or crackers, crumble them, toast them with olive oil, and sprinkle on top for a finishing touch. It’s a delicious way to reduce food waste and get creative in the kitchen!

• 1 pound macaroni or your favorite pasta shape

• ¼ cup heavy cream

• ¼ cup crème fraîche

• 2 cups grated cheese (any combination of cheeses you have on hand)

• ½ cup chopped dried cured sausage or charcuterie (or more to taste)

• ¼ cup chopped olives, pickles, or capers

• ½ cup crumbled leftover bread or crackers (optional, for topping)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for toasting the bread/cracker crumbs)

• 1 teaspoon olive oil (for sautéing meats, if needed)

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. If desired, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped meats and sauté for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Set aside.

3. Using the same pot you cooked the pasta in, combine the heavy cream and crème fraîche over medium heat. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has reduced slightly.

4. Add the grated cheeses to the pot and stir until fully melted and smooth. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of cream to loosen it to your desired consistency.

5. Return the cooked pasta to the pot and stir to coat in the cheese sauce. Add the crispy meats, olives, pickles, or capers and mix until evenly distributed.

6. If using leftover bread or crackers, crumble them into small pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and toast the crumbs until golden and crispy, about 3–5 minutes.

7. Divide the pasta salad into bowls and sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of toasted bread crumbs over each serving for added crunch.