A Guide to Matching Up Different Pastas and Sauces
“The principles that bring pasta and sauce together cannot be ignored by anyone who wants to achieve the full and harmonious expression of flavor of which Italian cooking is capable.” The key to matching shape to sauce is in the shape itself. Here is a list of several popular pasta shapes and the combination of sauces they are best suited to.
• Spaghetti
Spaghetti is one of the most favorite pastas among all. It is long, thin and cylindrical pasta of Italian origin which goes perfect with tomato-based marinara and bolognese sauces. It also works best with light to medium density sauces like sauce made from egg, prosciutto and cream. To make your spaghetti pasta recipe more luscious, coat the pasta with your favorite tomato sauce and keep it aside for some time before serving.
• Penne and Ziti
Medium length tubes with ridges, cut diagonally at both ends are known as Penne pasta. The ridges on these shapes provide great hold on sauces. And therefore, Penne pastas are served with medium to heavy sauces and sliced veggies. It also tastes best when served with Arrabiata sauce and beef ragu.
• Pappardelle
Pappardelle which is pronounced as papa-dell-lay is egg-based pasta which is thick flat ribbon in shape. To make this pasta recipe more delicious, serve it with a range of sauces. In winter you can cook it with a lamb or sausage ragu. In spring it will taste amazing when served with a seafood sauce.
• Conchiglie
Pronounced as con-keel-yay, it resembles a seashell shape. They can be served with meat or tomato sauces, or can be used in salads. Smaller shells are great in soups and the very large shells can be stuffed and baked in a tomato, or creamy, sauce.
• Farfalle
These fanciful bow-ties or butterflies shaped pasta are excellent in light to medium sauces or salads.To add a juicy flavor to the pasta recipe, mix farfalle pasta with vegetables, soups and crushed cheese.
• Fettucine
A longer and thicker spaghetti-like noodle is best suited with thick cream based sauces.
• Vermicelli
Vermicelli is angel hair shaped pasta. If you love to enjoy making this dish, then pair it with tomato or olive oil based sauce to make the best pasta recipe.
• Gnocchi
Gnocchi are minute dumplings which are usually made of potato. It tastes perfect when combined with rich, creamy sauces such as pesto genovese as well as with lighter sauces such as tomato and chunky sauces made from small peas and beans.
• Fusilli
Foo-zee-lee is corkscrew-shaped pasta which comes in various sizes and with different names. The twists and curls of this particular pasta shape hold the sauce and hence they are paired with thick creamy sauces such as Alfredo or meat sauces.
• Ravioli and Tortellini
Both of these pastas look like little pillows when stuffed with broth, cheese, meat or cream sauce.
The way these pasta shapes interact with sauces can really make a big difference to finish a perfect dish of succulent pasta. Hence, keep in mind the above guidelines from our expert which will help you to cook the best pasta recipe like an Italian. Enjoy a feast of perfect pasta with family and friends at any point of time!