Pasta is a popular dish that many people eat on a regular basis as well as for special occasions. It is a delicious and healthy dish that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.
Many people associate pasta with Italian cuisine. It is true that pasta is an authentic Italian food that other countries have widely adopted. Some people follow the classic Italian pasta recipe, which consists of pasta, pork belly meat (bacon or pancetta), parmesan, and eggs. Meanwhile, others mix and match different pasta types with various sauces and ingredients.
When it comes to choosing a particular pasta type for a recipe, there is no wrong choice; however, there are some cases when you might find that a specific pasta is not suitable for a particular dish.
Spaghetti is a long and thin pasta that can be served with many sauces. It is perhaps the most well-known type of pasta in the world. Spaghetti Bolognese is the most famous dish made with this pasta type, which is a serving of pasta with meat and marinara sauce. But besides this, spaghetti is great for any meat or vegetable dish, as well as garlic and olive oils.
Fettuccine is also categorized under the long pasta types. Unlike spaghetti pasta, fettuccini noodles are thicker and denser. Because it is wide, it can be used with a wide range of sauces, particularly with chunky sauces. It is commonly used in the popular recipe, Fettuccine alfredo.
Linguine looks very similar to spaghetti and fettuccine; although slightly flatter than spaghetti and not as wide as fettuccine. With its extra surface area, this pasta type can be paired with cream-based sauces or anything with lighter textures like seafood.
Capellini, also called angel hair pasta, is one of the thinnest pasta types. Because capellini pasta has delicate, long strands, it is best paired in light sauces. This is because they can easily get lost in a rich meat sauce.
Lasagne refers to the thin pasta sheets that make up a dish and not the actual dish. Lasagne can be used in oven-baked dishes as this pasta type holds well in the oven. The most famous lasagna al Forno, which consists of ragu (either beef or pork) and bechamel sauce in between layers of lasagne, and topped with cheese.
Macaroni pasta is an all-time favorite of everyone. Macaroni and cheese are a crowd-pleaser, no matter if they are homemade or bought in a box. Because of its tube shape, macaroni pasta can be used with cream sauces and melty cheeses. In addition, this is one of the most versatile pasta types as it can be used in salads and soups as well.
Fusilli pasta adds a unique twist to any dish with its spiral shape. It has a corkscrew-like shape and goes well with rich meat sauces or chunky veggies. This is because the chunks can be caught in the crevices of the pasta’s twirls. Moreover, like macaroni pasta, fusilli is also versatile. They can be utilized in oven-baked dishes as well as pasta salads.
Farfalle, also known as “bow-tie” pasta, is a versatile pasta that can be used in any recipe that calls for shote pasta. Farfalle can perfectly be paired with cheese or rich tomato sauce because it has a large surface area on its ‘wings’. In addition, it can also be served with cold pasta salad or grilled chicken.
Probably the best-known Italian pasta is ravioli. Ravioli is a small square of pasta that typically has a red sauce and cheese on the outside, and a filling of veal, meat, or vegetable on the inside. Any sauce you use to fill the ravioli will typically disappear during the cooking process, leaving in a beautifully creamy and tasty filling. The key to success when making ravioli is to use thick, well-cured pasta.
There are many more common examples of pasta, but these are some of the best known. Other shapes include tube and round. Both tube and round pasta can be used for different dishes and are equally popular. The choice is up to you as every family will have their own favorite shapes of pasta. For example, while flat noodles are more common when compared to cheddar, tube noodles are also great. Be creative, and do not let anything stop you from enjoying the food you love.
For more information about the different types of pasta and the dishes they can be used for, read this infographic from Cirelli & Co, an Italian restaurant in Brunswick that offers exquisite Italian wines, pasta, and antipasti, among other Italian cuisines.
