A Guide to Italian Pasta

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From spaghetti to farfalle, pappardelle to paccheri, when it comes to pasta, there’s no shortage of options to choose from. In fact, there are more than 400—no, that’s not a typo—types of pasta in Italy, each kind distinguished by size, shape and purpose (some are designed to be stuffed or filled, for example).

Browsing the shelves at Graceway Supermarkets, you’ll find we also carry a variety of pastas from authentic Italian brands such as Gentile and Agnesi.

So how do you choose the right pasta for your meal? Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. But if you want to eat like a real Italian, there are a few simple guidelines to follow. And it all depends on the sauce.

  1. Keep it short

Let’s start with short pasta. Think farfalle (more commonly known as bow-tie pasta) or penne. These kinds of pastas work well with dishes that require larger ingredients, such as vegetables, since you eat them by stabbing each pasta piece with a fork rather than twirling it like you would spaghetti. Meanwhile, real carbonara—a traditional Italian dish made with eggs, hard cheese, cured ham, and salt and pepper—is also best suited with short pasta.

2. Small but mighty (and stuffed with goodness)

If you’re mixing your pasta with a lighter sauce or a broth, then small pasta is the way to go. Smaller pastas such as orzo and ditalini are easiest to eat with a spoon, making them the perfect pasta to enjoy with broth. Meanwhile, tortellini—a small, ring-shaped pasta that’s usually stuffed with cheese or meat—is also traditionally served in broth, although it’s also enjoyed topped with cheese, cream sauce, pesto or tomato sauce.

3. Go big or go home

If you’re loyal to spaghetti and other larger pastas, like paccheri, then this one’s for you. For pasta dishes that require a sauce with more character, go for the bigger pasta to allow the sauce to fully coat the noodles—think bolognese or alfredo sauce.

Keep in mind, there are no rules when it comes to choosing the right pasta for you. Ultimately, these guidelines are based on practicality and what will help you make the most of your pasta dish. But if you want to mix your small pasta with a rich and flavourful sauce, or you prefer your spaghetti with big chunks of veggies mixed in—we won’t tell.