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Types Of Pasta: What Is Pasta?
Pasta is a staple food from the Italian cuisine that has been consumed here since 800 A.D. This simple, and globally popular food item is made from eggs and flour and then molded into different shapes. Every time you have to cook a pasta dish you have to think about various factors such as shape, thickness, etc for that particular dish. In order to select the right pasta dish, you must know about the different types of pasta that are available for you to cook. Pasta is differentiated on the basis of shape, size, and texture.
Pasta is made in 2 forms: Fresh Pasta and Dried Pasta
1. Fresh Pasta
Fresh pasta is made with ingredients that are fresh. It is made from all-purpose flour mixed with eggs. Fresh pasta is delicate as it has egg in it. It takes very little time to cook. Fresh pasta doesn’t expand after it is cooked. It is usually cut into different lengths and widths. It has a very refined texture as it’s dough is made from egg yolk and flour.
2. Dried Pasta
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Dried pasta can also be called factory-made pasta as it is manufactured in bulk amount and requires large machines for processing. Dried pasta is made to be shipped to far locations and has a longer shelf life than fresh pasta. Dried pasta is made from semolina flour and water only. It is then dried at a low temperature for many days in order to evaporate the moisture that it has so that it can be stored for a long period of time. Dried pasta expands after it is being cooked, unlike fresh pasta.
Here is a list of some commonly used pasta in different parts of the world.
Types Of Pasta: All shapes & sizes
1. Ravioli Pasta
Ravioli is consumed commonly. It is a square pillow of dough which can be stuffed with different fillings like seafood, meat, veggies, cheese, etc. This type of pasta can be cooked and served with a topping of sauce or olive oil. It can also be consumed in soups.
2. Penne Pasta
Penne pasta is a tube-shaped pasta that is cut at both the ends diagonally. It is around 2 inches long. Penne pasta is perfect for various toppings and sauces.
3. Orzo Pasta
This type of pasta resembles rice a lot. It is often added to soups and salads for that authentic flavor. It can also be consumed with seasonal veggies.
4. Orecchiette Pasta
Orecchiette is an Italian word which means little ears. The shape of this pasta is like pasta bowls and they are ideal for the collection of sauce. It is the perfect pasta for making dishes with a heavy sauce.
5. Gnocchi Pasta
Gnocchi pasta is traditionally made soft and tiny dumplings from flour, egg, and potato. Like orecchiette, gnocchi pasta is also a good option for heavy sauces.
6. Acini De Pepe Pasta
Acini de Pepe is an Italian word that means small parts of the pepper. It is also known as pastina. They are round in shape and are very small in size. Their size and shape make it a versatile pasta and it can be used in a number of dishes, including, a cold salad, in hot soup, etc.
7. Angel Hair Pasta
Angel hair is the thinnest pasta of all. It is simply very fine and long strands that cook very quickly. This type of pasta is ideal for cooking with delicate sauces such as light tomato sauce or a broth. You can even cook it only with oil and butter.
8. Bucatini Pasta
This type of pasta resembles spaghetti, the only difference is they are hollow. They are the perfect pasta that tastes perfect in casseroles. It can be cooked in a stir-fry recipe or it can be stewed in a broth with fresh tomatoes.
9. Campanelle Pasta
Campanelle means bellflowers and they have a very unique shape that allows them to hold meaty, thick and creamy sauces. They are the ideal option for cooking cheesy balls.
10. Shells Pasta
Shells are available in different sizes in the market. If they are large in size, you can add any filling in them and bake them, if they medium in size, you can use them in casseroles and meaty sauces. The smallest sized shells are for adding in soups and stews.
11. Farfalle Pasta
Due to its shape, this pasta is also known as bow-tie pasta. Farfalle is an Italian word which means butterfly. This type of pasta can be used for making cold pasta salads and can also be used as a dressing for a bowl of veggies and meat.
12. Tagliatelle Pasta
It is one of the most popular pasta. It has a ribbon-like structure with a long and flat shape. It is commonly added with meat dishes.
13. Mafalda Pasta
Mafalda originated in Italy and is named after the Queen Mafalda Di Savoia. It is also known as regenerate which is an Italian word meaning little queen. This pasta is cut into long and flat strips with wavy edges. It is best served with Italian sausage or ricotta cheese.
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14. Capricci Pasta
This type of pasta is oddly shaped and it was originated in Puglia, Italy. These irregular shapes resemble the corals of the ocean. It can be consumed with either thick or thin sauces.
15. Fusilli Pasta
It is a pasta of long length, which has the shape of a corkscrew. It was originated in South Italy. It is commonly consumed with tomato sauce and cheese.
16. Chiocciole Pasta
This type of pasta did not originate in Italy, instead, it came to Italy from the Middle East. Chiocciole is an Italian word which means snail. It is a small tubular pasta that resembles macaroni. The only difference is, chiocciole is curvier than macaroni like a snail with fine ridges. It can be used with thick sauces, thin sauces, and soups.
17. Lasagne Pasta
Lasagne is a widely consumed pasta and is also called Garfield’s favorite pasta. It was originated in Naples. It has a long, flat rectangular shape with edges that are wavy. It is usually enjoyed as a casserole dish that is baked and cooked with multiple layers of lasagne along with various sauces, cheese, and other ingredients.
In conclusion, there are various types of pasta available for you to cook. The type of pasta that you choose depends on the type of dish you made. Hopefully, this guide helped you in selecting the appropriate pasta for your dish.