Pasta is a type of noodle, or any of the dishes made with it, in Italian cuisine. It is typically made from an unleavened dough of a durum wheat flour mixed with water or eggs, and formed into sheets or various shapes, then cooked by boiling or baking.

When you want to cook a pasta dish, you have to think about specifics. Variance in cut, shape, and thickness allow for multitudes of different types of noodles, so be sure to place your pasta in a setting conducive to its size, shape, and texture. Consider questions like, “Should I use a light broth or a heavy meat sauce? Should I sprinkle my pasta into a soup? Should I toss it in olive oil for a cold salad?”

The better you get to know your noodles, the better you’ll be able to prepare them—and feed yourself. Here’s a good place to start: 12 types of pasta noodles and when to use them.

THERE ARE 12 kinds of pasta noodles and when to use them

1. Pappardelle
A wide egg noodle with Tuscan origins, pappardelle is often served with hearty meat sauces, as in our decadent bolognese recipe.

2. Farfalle
Also called bow tie pasta for its shape, farfalle (the Italian word for butterfly) makes a great cold pasta salad, and can also dress up a warm bowl of meat and veggies, as in

3. Shells
Shells work in a variety of settings, depending on their size. If your shells are large enough, you can stuff and bake them, while medium-sized shells work well in casseroles and with meat sauces. Reserve the smallest shells for adding to soups and stews.

4. Campanelle
Literally meaning “bellflowers,” campanelle sports a very unique shape that’s great at capturing thick, creamy, or meaty sauces. And they work wonders in cheesy bowls, too.

5. Bucatini
Like spaghetti, but hollow, these unusual noodles taste great in casseroles, your favorite stir-fry recipe, or stewed in a broth with fresh tomatoes.

6. Angel Hair
Angel hair is the thinnest type of pasta, made of long, very fine strands that cook quickly. Use delicate sauces with this narrow noodle, like a light tomato sauce or a broth, or simply cook it with butter and oil.

7. Acini di Pepe
Sometimes referred to as pastina, acini di pepe means “small parts of the pepper” in Italian, alluding to its miniscule size and rounded shape, which makes it versatile enough to be welcome in a wide range of dishes. Make it the mainstay of a cold salad or sprinkle it into a piping hot soup.

8. Gnocchi
Gnocchi are tiny, soft dumplings traditionally made from potato, egg, and flour. This hearty pasta is perfect for rich sauces, and even stands up to baking, as in our Gnocchi Pomodoro recipe.

9. Orecchiette

Italian for “little ears,” orecchiette are shaped like pasta bowls, rendering them perfect for collecting sauce. This pasta goes great with heavier sauces rife with meats and veggies, as with this recipe for Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage, as their shape is perfect for catching bits of both.

10. Orzo

You’d be forgiven for mistaking this pasta for rice. The toothsome orzo is often found adding heartiness to soups and salads, though we’ve been known to mix it with all kinds of seasonal veggies in our Greek Chicken with Orzo Salad recipe.

11. Penne

This tube-shaped pasta is about two inches long and cut diagonally at both ends, making it a perfect bed for most sauces and toppings. Greek Pastitisio, anyone?
(Image: Dishmaps)

12. Ravioli

You know this one well, we assume, as ravioli can pretty much do anything. These square pillows of dough can be filled with cheese, meat, veggies, or even seafood—hello, lobster ravioli—and served topped with sauce, in soups, or simply drizzled with olive oil

SPAGHETTI

There are many variety or recipes of pasta. The one expample is the Spaghetti Filipino Style.

Ingredients

1 pound uncooked spaghetti
1 tablespoon oil
4 Filipino-style hotdogs, sliced diagonally
1 onion, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 bell pepper, seeded, cored and chopped
1 pound ground beef
2 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup tomato paste
1 cup banana ketchup, preferably sweet and spicy
1 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon sugarsalt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup quick-melt cheese, shredded

Instructions

In a pot over medium heat, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package’s direction for about 7 to 9 minutes or until firm to bite. Drain well.

In a large saucepan, heat oil. Add sliced hot dogs and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers to pan. Cook until softened.

Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking into small pieces until lightly browned. Drain any excess fat.

Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, and beef broth. Stir in sugar.

Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer, covered, for about one hour or until meat is fully cooked and sauce is thickened. If the sauce is getting too thick, add water in 1/2 cup increments as needed.

During the last 10 minutes of cooking, add browned hot dogs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To serve, spoon spaghetti sauce over noodles and top with shredded cheese.

•The Filipinos are one of those people known for introducing a new flavor to classical dishes.A lot of people growing up were served their own family’s version of this spaghetti.

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PASTA

Pasta is the perfect foundation for a healthy, nutritious and satisfying meal. Why? For starters, pasta is the ideal partner for so many other foods, including fibre rich vegetables and beans, heart healthy fish, antioxidant rich tomato sauce and protein packed cheeses, poultry and lean meats. Pasta also offers:

SUSTAINED ENERGY:

Carbohydrates like pasta provide glucose, the crucial fuel for your brain and muscles. And because pasta is an awesome source of complex carbohydrates (unlike those of the refined and processed variety – yuk), releasing energy at a slow and sustained level, you don’t get the energy spikes associated with simple sugars.

LOW SODIUM AND CHOLESTEROL FREE:

If you’re watching your cholesterol levels, pasta is perfect for you, being very low in sodium and cholesterol free. Per cup, enriched varieties of pasta provide a good sources of several essential nutrients, including iron and B-vitamins.

FOLIC ACID:

Enriched pasta is fortified with folic-acid – essential for women of child-bearing age. A serving of dry pasta supplies the equivalent of roughly 100 micrograms of folic acid, or 25% of the recommended daily intake.

BALANCED DIET:

Pasta is part of a well-balanced diet, with current Australian Government guidelines suggesting 35% of our daily calories intake should come from complex carbohydrates such as pasta. Combine pasta with lean protein and vegetables for a complete meal that puts you well on the path to hitting those dietary goals!

Combine pasta with lean protein and vegetables for a complete meal that puts you well on the path to hitting those dietary goals!

Is Pasta Healthy or Unhealthy?
Pasta is high in carbs, which can be bad for you when consumed in large amounts. It also contains gluten, a type of protein that causes issues for those who are gluten-sensitive.

On the other hand, pasta can provide some nutrients that are important to health.