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Original poster

Pasta is just pasta?

40 replies

xsquared · 20/07/2021 21:28

I made this creamy pasta for dinner tonight with conchiglie pasta and it tasted so much better than when I made it the first time with pasta spirals.

The spirals made it taste drier but when I tried the recipe a second time with conchiglie, it was like a completely different taste. I think the shell shape meant that more sauce clung inside of it and gave a better burst of flavour.

DS was a bit nonchalant and commented "pasta is just pasta", but I beg to differ. Not all pasta shapes are created equal!

I have also found that tomato based sauces go better with spaghetti type pasta that tubey pasta.

OP posts:
Greenmarmalade · 20/07/2021 21:31

Italians know which ones hold sauce in different ways and which match different dishes. I am never bothered enough to care, and generally choose which ones my kids like best, but it must make a difference.

Palavah · 20/07/2021 21:33

Matching pasta with sauce is V important to Italians!

PickAChew · 20/07/2021 21:35

Different shapes cling onto the sauce differently and, of course, feel different in your mouth. You can really tell the difference with better quality pasta, too. Cheaper pasta can go from too hard to mushy in under a minute but better pasta retains some bite and texture (and has a bit more flavour of its own, imo - a bit like the difference between bog standard rice and basmati)

PeonyTime · 20/07/2021 21:36

Yep, pasta shape is important.
I'm a heathen, and just cook whatever comes out of the cupboard first.

purplesequins · 20/07/2021 21:38

I once had an italian boyfriend. the right pasta shape for the right sauce was very important to him Grin

Biancadelrioisback · 20/07/2021 21:41

Oh lord, I made a pasta dish tonight that had mixture of shells and jaunty tubey things.
I often make carbonara with shells too if I can't find spaghetti/linguini etc

Original poster
xsquared · 20/07/2021 21:42

I agree @PickAChew on the cheap pasta. Cheap penne splits during cooking which ruins it for me.

OP posts:
GingerBrod · 20/07/2021 21:44

Oh yes absolutely, and don't even get me started on fresh pasta.

Your son is uncultured Grin

Titsywoo · 20/07/2021 22:08

God yes - I'm not keen on shapes like penne or fusilli as they are a bit too thick but I like noodle type pastas - I only eat a couple of sauces which all go with spaghetti or linguine IMO!

Katefoster · 20/07/2021 22:32

Completely agree. I have to think about what pasta to have with my sauce it can't be random. My husband on the other hand will have noodles with tuna. NOODLES

Katefoster · 20/07/2021 22:33

As in stir fry noodles not spaghetti, not that that would make it any better

user27424799642256 · 20/07/2021 22:39

I have also found that tomato based sauces go better with spaghetti type pasta that tubey pasta.

In what way?

Original poster
xsquared · 20/07/2021 22:48

@user27424799642256

I have also found that tomato based sauces go better with spaghetti type pasta that tubey pasta.

In what way?

I find penne doesn't pick up as much sauce per fork compared to a bundle of spaghetti twisted around a fork. It's to do with the ratio if pasta and sauce I suppose.

Penne however does work well as a substitute for macaroni when I a making a cheesy sauce.

OP posts:
lotsofchooksnducks · 20/07/2021 23:22

I am craving a big bowl of pasta right now....I'm gluten free now though Sad but yes matching shape to sauce is key as my Mamma says!

LadyCatStark · 20/07/2021 23:26

Tell him they wouldn’t bother making so many types of pasta was just pasta!

pastabest · 20/07/2021 23:30

@lotsofchooksnducks

I am craving a big bowl of pasta right now....I'm gluten free now though Sad but yes matching shape to sauce is key as my Mamma says!
You want barilla gluten free pasta. I find it indistinguishable from the real thing.
GingerBrod · 21/07/2021 00:04

I'm also just going to leave this here...

Pasta is just pasta?
Palavah · 21/07/2021 10:13

@GingerBrod

I'm also just going to leave this here...
I don't think that's right at all! It's not just about the ingredients, it's about the texture of the sauce.
dreamingbohemian · 21/07/2021 10:20

I'm also wondering about that chart because I thought a proper bolognese was supposed to be best with tagliatelle or thicker noodles

We need a KLAXON for Italian cooks!

TheFoundations · 21/07/2021 10:25

Why do you think they made it in different shapes to start with?

purplesequins · 21/07/2021 10:26

@TheFoundations

Why do you think they made it in different shapes to start with?
to infuriate italians in cantines around the world?

to trip up cookery show contestants?

cushioncovers · 21/07/2021 10:27

Certain pastas go with certain sauces, i thought everyone knew that. Smile

purplesequins · 21/07/2021 10:30

I sometimes mix pasta shapes Shock

rishisboater · 21/07/2021 10:33

I have an Italian friend and she would say it very much makes a difference! No self respecting Italian would use that penne type pasta without the grooves - can't remember the name. They get quite angry about it

MikeWozniaksGloriousTache · 21/07/2021 10:33

Yup certain pastas for certain sauces. Although we only have fusilli as it comes in 3kg bags so it’s cheaper Blush
conchiglie is my favourite though regardless of sauce Grin

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