If you walk down the pasta aisle, you might feel dizzy. There are so many shapes, styles, and sizes. Learn which types of pasta to use for your next pasta night by using this simple guide.
Smaller pasta shapes, commonly referred to as “macaroni,” are in the 1 to 2 inch range. They taste best when baked into creamy casseroles or served with thick, chunky sauces. Although the smallest of the small are best in soups, their sturdy shapes also hold up well in pasta salads.
Although many types of long, ribbon-cut pastas are referred to as “spaghetti,” there are actually many others. These noodles go well with pesto, fresh tomatoes, and sauces made with wine or butter.
Pasta that is shaped like tubes is also known as “extruded pasta,” as it is created by pushing dough through a die to create a variety of shapes. Bronze dies are employed in the traditions of artisan pasta production to produce a rougher texture.
Some pastas are made in a particular shape to accommodate additional ingredients like cheese, meat, and vegetables. To let the flavorful filling stand out, these pastas are best served with butter, cream, or tomato sauces.
Campanelle means “bell flower” in Italian, and that is the best way to describe the shape of this unusual noodle. It resembles a cross between a shell and macaroni with an additional twist. Its numerous crevices make it the ideal noodle for pairing with rich sauces like ragu or alfredo.
We can satisfy your sudden desire for a large bowl of pasta. The pasta dishes listed below are some of our favorites for every occasion.
While in America we frequently consider gnocchi to be a type of noodle, in Italy they are known as dumplings. Gnocchi is a type of pasta that uses a long list of ingredients, including potato, semolina, cheese, and cornmeal, as opposed to actual pasta. Although it tastes great in many different recipes, gnocchi is frequently served with sauces made of butter.
Like the related term, Gemini, gemelli is Italian for “twins. Because it resembles two round noodles that have been twisted together, the term is used to describe this pasta. Actually, to create each piece of gemelli, a single long piece of rolled pasta is bent in half and rolled into a helical shape.
Spaghetti, arguably the most popular pasta in America, is simple to identify whether it is topped with classic tomato sauce or just a light drizzle of olive oil. In Italy, where it was one of the first types of pasta to be mass-produced, spaghetti is also well-liked.
However, even though any type of pasta is a quick and tasty dish, there are a dizzying array of noodles you can cook to make your pasta dish. Let’s learn a little about all the different pasta shapes and how pasta is made before you go crazy adding all the flavors and garnishes.
This is easily the most common type of sheet pasta. Its ruffled, decorative edges characterize its shape. Of course, it’s used to make lasagne, which is traditionally made by layering ricotta cheese and meat sauce (vegan versions are now readily available). You can purchase precooked, dehydrated lasagne noodles that don’t need to be boiled. The noodles don’t need to be cooked separately before baking because the moisture in your cheese and sauce is sufficient to rehydrate them.
Think of manicotti like jumbo penne noodles. It’s the same texture and shape but much larger. You know what that means, more room for cheese and sauce to be stuffed inside. My family loves it baked as a casserole. In the middle, it also enjoys a good, meaty bolognese sauce.
Gnocchi is made differently from hand-rolled and extruded pasta, using potatoes as the base and flour and eggs as toppings. The result is a dense and small dumpling shape. Both home cooks and chefs enjoy using their imagination when preparing gnocchi. Some examples include slathering it in a creamy sauce, making it out of butternut squash rather than the usual riced potato, or dressing it up for the holidays with a pumpkin-sage sauce.
Think of pasta in the form of a tube that is slightly open and has rolled edges that aren’t quite connected. Casarecce is like a loosely rolled and twisted noodle. The center will also catch sauces well.
White flour is typically used to make fresh pasta, and eggs are used in place of water to add additional moisture. A pasta machine or cutter then forms the noodles. The shaped noodles are then left out to partially dry. When the pasta is done, add it to boiling water and cook it similarly to how you would cook dry pasta, but for a shorter period of time.
Semolina or “00” flour and water are used to create dry pasta. These ingredients are combined to form a paste, which is then pressed through molds and cut into various pasta shapes. The remaining moisture is then removed during the drying process of the noodles. Since dry noodles don’t contain any liquid, purchasing them has a few advantages.
The quality of a meal is also impacted by whether fresh or dry pasta is used, in addition to how the shape of the pasta affects the flavor and texture of your dish. Although it has distinctive flavors, aromas, and nutritional value, fresh pasta has a limited shelf life. In contrast, dry pasta is produced in large quantities and can be kept almost indefinitely, but the flavors deteriorate the longer it is kept.
You must choose what color of pasta to use now that you are familiar with the differences between the different types of pasta and some common pasta terminology. You can pick between white and whole wheat pasta, just like you can with bread. Tri-color pasta is also a readily available noodle type. When making your own, experiment with incorporating trendy ingredients into the pasta dough, such as spinach, squid ink, pumpkin or butternut squash puree, or even beetroot powder or puree.
One of the most popular carbohydrates in the culinary world may very well be pasta. It can be paired with a homemade meaty tomato sauce or served on its own with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs. Its also a central element of casseroles and soups. It can also be incorporated into salads for a heartier main dish. With so many varieties of pasta, you can select from a huge selection of noodle types for your menu that have eye-catching designs, a range of sizes, and different textures.
FAQ
What are 7 types of pasta?
- Spaghetti. One of the most well-known pasta varieties in the world, spaghetti is made up of long, thin noodles that go well with a variety of sauces.
- Penne. …
- Ravioli. …
- Linguine. …
- Rigatoni. …
- Farfalle. …
- Fusilli. …
- Cannelloni.
How many types of pasta noodles are there?
There are more than 600 varieties of pasta, each serving a delicious purpose. Some pasta shapes and sizes are better suited for holding sauces in their ridges, while others are better for baked dishes. Long pasta, short pasta, stuffable pasta, pasta for soups—the uses for pasta are endless.
What are the 9 types of pasta?
- Fusilli.
- Farfalle.
- Pappardelle.
- Orecchiette.
- Rigatoni.
- Ravioli.
- Trofie.
- Gigli.
What are the top 10 pastas?
- Spaghetti.
- Fettuccine.
- Angel hair pasta.
- Macaroni.
- Fusilli.
- Bow ties.
- Penne.
- Ziti.
