A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Pasta

When you’re craving Italian but don’t feel like leaving the house or dining out isn’t in the budget, you may be tempted to warm up an instant mac & cheese in the microwave and call it a night. But that doesn’t have to be the case. With a bit of prep work, you can have all of the ingredients on hand to whip up a tasty dish for yourself or unexpected guests in under thirty minutes, but you need to know where to start.

In this quick guide, we’ll take a look at the different types of pasta, so you’ll know what to pick up at the store to make your own pasta at home. So, let’s get the party started!

Who doesn’t love a bowl of spaghetti? A common option in many households, spaghetti noodles come in several sizes, including thin, and are usually served with red tomato sauce, vegetables, and sometimes meatballs. Another favorite way to eat spaghetti is by making carbonara, which is sauteed pancetta, peas, prosciutto, eggs, and onion in a parmesan cream sauce.

Whether you like your fettuccine, a flat and thick pasta, with shrimp, chicken, or Alfredo style, this pasta noodle fills you up quickly. Fettuccine noodles are commonly tossed with a parmesan cream sauce; some like adding white wine to the dish to brighten the taste. A great way to finish this dish is by adding freshly shaved parmesan cheese right before serving.

Lasagna is best served with family is a saying we’ve heard before, and we certainly agree. While many serve the traditional style of lasagna, some have opted for a vegetarian style, in a way to save calories and for those who are vegan. Having lasagna noodles on hand is a simple way to create a dish that makes any day feel special and reminds us of some treasured moments.

We’ve all grabbed a can of ravioli for a quick meal sometime in our lives, but it’s just as easy to whip up a batch of it with staples from our fridge. Of course, you don’t have to make fresh ravioli, but we’re not going to stop you if you do, but it’s easy to find ready-to-heat ravioli in many flavors in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store.

You don’t have to wait for a holiday or a Sunday dinner to create a great-tasting bowl of macaroni, and you don’t have to make it with cheese, either. Instead, add your favorite veggie, put it in a soup, deep-fry it, or eat it plain. Of course, we like to eat it with several flavors of cheese, including extra sharp, but this pasta is so versatile you can build your dish however it suits you.

Zucca Bar and Pizzeria offers award-winning pizza, fresh pasta, and a wine list that pairs with any mood you’re craving. Join us at Smyrna Market Village, outside on the patio or inside in one of our family-friendly booths or hire us when you need Italian catering for your next event. We have something for everyone, so stop by and check us out. We promise that you won’t leave hungry!