Authentic Italian Cuisine

Italian cuisine is known for its delicious pasta dishes, which come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. A sprinkle of parmesan, a healthy dose of garlic, and generous oodles of olive oil is the base of almost every pasta dish, without which Italian cuisine is incomplete. While people have fallen in love with pasta, there’s also much love given to pizza and tiramisu.

If you are curious and want to get started on types of pasta used in authentic Italian cuisine, here are some of the most popular types:

●     Spaghetti: This long, thin pasta is one of the most well-known types of pasta in the world. It can be paired with a variety of sauces, from classic tomato sauce to meaty Bolognese.

●     Fettuccine: This wide, flat pasta is perfect for creamy sauces, such as Alfredo sauce. It is also commonly used in dishes like Fettuccine Alfredo and Fettuccine Carbonara.

●     Penne: This tube-shaped pasta is great for holding onto chunky sauces, like a classic marinara sauce or a meat and vegetable-based ragu. Penne is also commonly used in pasta salads.

●     Linguine: This flat pasta is similar to fettuccine but is slightly narrower. It is often paired with seafood-based sauces, such as clam sauce or pesto.

●     Rigatoni: This large, tube-shaped pasta is often used in baked pasta dishes, such as lasagna and baked ziti. The hollow center of the rigatoni is perfect for holding onto rich, meaty sauces.

●     Tortellini: These small, ring-shaped pasta is filled with a variety of fillings, such as meat, cheese, or vegetables. They are often served in a broth-based soup or with a light cream sauce.

●     Gnocchi: These small dumplings are made from potatoes and flour and are often paired with a simple tomato sauce or a rich butter and cheese sauce.

●     Pappardelle: This wide, flat pasta is similar to fettuccine but is even wider and is often paired with a hearty meat-based sauce, such as wild boar ragu.

●     Farfalle: Also known as "butterflies," this pasta is shaped like bow ties. It is often used in pasta salads and is also a great pasta to use in pasta dishes that involve a lot of vegetables.

●     Orecchiette: This small, ear-shaped pasta is often paired with a simple tomato sauce or a hearty meat-based sauce. It is also a great pasta for holding onto chunky vegetables, such as broccoli or spinach.

Each of these pasta types is authentic and traditional in Italian cuisine, and all are delicious in their own way. Feel free to experiment and try different types of pasta with different sauces to find your new favourite Italian dish. If reading about these has given you serious craving and you are about to search ‘best Italian restaurant near me,’ then come to Michelangelo's - home to delicious pastas.