A Guide to Pasta & Noodles

March is National Noodle Month and October is National Pasta Month – thank you, National Pasta Association¹ – we're celebrating by delving into the vast world of pasta and noodles. Though its history is tangled, pasta has been an American favorite for generations. The United States consumes nearly 6 billion pounds of pasta every year, and the popularity of pasta increases 20 percent during winter. As ubiquitous as it is, pasta still has a mysterious past, and its present-day place in American culture isn't totally straightforward, either. How many types of pasta are there? What's the difference between pasta and noodles? This guide boils down the answers to those questions and more.

Who Invented Pasta?

Pasta's history is as varied as the shapes and types it comes in, as modern experts continue to argue about where pasta originally came from. They mostly agree that it was somewhere in Asia, though some sources claim its origins stem from ancient Etruscans.² How pasta moved westward is also a hotly debated topic, with at least one theory crediting nomadic Arabs.³

Although pasta's journey from Asia to Italy is unclear, the country is famous for its pasta dishes. Recipes can be found in Italian cookbooks as far back as the early 1200s. English noblemen toured Italy in the 18^th century and brought the food back with them, which in turn was brought to the United States. Although pasta had been introduced in America, it apparently didn't gain popularity until Thomas Jefferson returned from his 1789 tour of Europe with two cases of macaroni.

Pasta vs. Noodles

I'm sure many of you have had this debate before: Are pasta and noodles the same thing? Should we use these terms interchangeably? As it turns out, we should not. The difference between pasta and noodles begins in the creation process.

What is pasta?

Pasta is typically made from durum – also known as semolina – with flour and water to create a stiff dough that is molded into a variety of shapes. Pasta is typically cooked to al dente, where it is soft on the outside yet firm to the bite. Pasta is pressed and cut with a mold, which enables producers to make an array of shapes and sizes. The semolina flour used in authentic pasta has a yellowish coloring and can be stored nigh indefinitely, which is one of the main reasons pasta was so widely used in the past.

What are noodles?

Noodles are made from a variety of different kinds of flour and formed into unleavened dough, then rolled into a flat sheet and sliced. Once cooked, there are obvious differences in noodles' texture compared to pasta. Depending on the style of dish you prepare, noodles typically have varying degrees of firmness and softness but tend to be springy.

Types of Pasta & Noodles

Most of us encounter pasta once it's been dried and packaged in a box, waiting to be boiled and transformed into decadent dishes. This type of pasta is usually referred to as "refined" because the wheat has been enriched by removing bran and germ from the grain. Whole-wheat pasta also is derived from wheat, but most of the bran and germ stay in the grain to retain more vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Most Italian pastas are prepared with semolina flour, water, and salt when dried and flour and eggs when fresh.

For those who can't enjoy traditional pastas due to Celiac disease or other dietary restrictions, a variety of alternatives are quickly gaining popularity. Rice noodles, a combination of rice flour and water, are a great gluten-free option. Lentils are another noodle alternative; they are prepared exactly like traditional pasta but have almost four times the amount of fiber. Shirataki noodles are made of glucomannan (also known as konjac) flour, water, and lime water, consisting almost entirely of water with hardly any carbohydrates. Of course, we can't forget about zoodles, a trendy low-carb noodle alternative. While zoodles are made of spiralized zucchini, a variety of vegetables can be spiralized for a noodle substitute, including carrots, spaghetti squash, and sweet potatoes.

Pasta Shapes

There are over 600 pasta shapes,⁴ but you'll find information about the most commonly seen shapes below.

Strands

Also referred to as long-form pasta due to its length, strand pasta is round and made with varying diameters. One of the most popular pasta dishes in America uses spaghetti pasta and a rich tomato sauce, but thinner strand pastas pair best with lighter sauces and proteins. Strand pasta typically is served in a round pile with sauce on top.

Ribbons

Ribbon-shaped pasta could be considered a subcategory of strands. These are usually flat and vary in width, but the ridged edges that define ribbon pasta are great for merging thick sauces and other ingredients together in a single bite. Ribbon pasta is thicker than strands; the increased size means it can carry more substantial toppings, assuring its use in lasagna and other heavy dishes.

Shapes

Shape pastas are short and typically retain their structure, making them perfect for salads, soups, and sides. Shaped pasta can be the focal point of a dish more than other pastas because of their eye-catching forms. They also add substance to soups in a way that other styles of pasta do not.

Stuffed

This category obviously received its name because the pasta is stuffed, traditionally with cheese, meat, vegetables, or seafood. Most stuffed pasta dishes are very hearty and the center of a meal, as they combine both starch and protein into one filling dish. Depending on the size and ingredients of stuffed pasta, these may be served in large helpings or in specific numbers organized neatly around a plate.

Tubular

While similar to strands, this short-form pasta is hollow. It's an excellent choice for pasta dishes with thick sauces, as the tubular shape lends itself to transporting the sauce for an extra bit of flavor in every bite.

Types of Noodles

Primarily used on Asian cuisine, noodles tend to be bouncy when cooked and can range in texture. We'll go over some of the more popular types of noodles here.

References

1. National Pasta Month Toolkit. National Pasta Association. Accessed September 2023.
2. History of Pasta. Lexington Pasta. Accessed September 2021.
3. Uncover the History of Pasta. PBS. Accessed September 2021.
4. Pasta Shapes Dictionary. Share the Pasta. Accessed September 2021.