An Epic Guide to Pasta Shapes, Silvana-Style!
“I’ll just have another small scoop”
That’s what happens when I pass with the pasta pot during our Principe dinner 🤭
At Principe, we serve Paccheri, Mafalda (aka Tagliatelle with perm), Spaghetti (which is half meter long) and many, many, many formats. To the point that our Principe storage looks like a path park.
But which pasta shape is best? Well, that all depends on what kind of sauce you're working with.
Don’t worry. We’re not going to send you to pasta prison if you just pick a random format + random pre-made sauce from your fridge. Or ban you from the Principe. We’re just going to help your pasta game get stronger because really, life is a mix of pasta and magic.
Mom-Chef Silvana said the trick is easy: It’s all about knowing which pasta shapes pair best with any given sauce, providing you with a beautifully-balanced bite every time.
Prepare to embark on a wild culinary adventure through the magnificent world of Italian pasta shapes. As we always say at Principe, "The best memories are made at the table while eating pasta."
So, let's put on our aprons, grab our forks, and dive into a laugh-filled journey where pasta shapes take center stage. Get ready for a tasty ride as we explore the realms of long, sleek short, striped, and holey pasta and match them with saucy soulmates!
1. Long Pasta: The Spirited Storytellers
Long pasta is like the witty raconteur at the dinner table, never failing to entertain with its delightful tales. Spaghetti, linguine, and fettuccine are the shining stars of this category. Pair these slender wonders with silky sauces that love to cling, like a dreamy carbonara or a decadent seafood alfredo. Don't forget to twist and twirl your fork to ensure a proper sauce-to-pasta ratio. Let your taste buds savor the saucy symphony!
2. Sleek Short Pasta: The Sneaky Chompers
In the realm of sleek short pasta, we find little rebels with a big appetite for flavor. Penne, macaroni, and orecchiette are the cool kids of this group, always ready to add a burst of fun to your plate. They're versatile and blend well with an array of sauces. Silvana suggests coating penne with a zesty tomato sauce, tossing macaroni in a velvety cheese sauce for the ultimate mac 'n' cheese, or pairing orecchiette with a delectable broccoli and garlic concoction. Remember, a little shape goes a long way in bringing joy to your taste buds!
3. Striped Pasta: The Fashionistas of Flavor
Striped pasta is like the haute couture of the pasta world, making a statement with its vibrant hues and distinctive patterns. Think of farfalle and pappardelle, the trendsetters in this category. Farfalle, those adorable striped bowties, are perfect for a light and refreshing primavera sauce, allowing the veggies to shine through. On the other hand, pappardelle's broad ribbons are a match made in heaven for rich, meaty ragùs or slow-cooked Bolognese. These pasta fashionistas are ready to strut their stuff on your plate!
4. Short Pasta with a Hole: The Sauce Sponges
Short pasta with a hole is the mischievous prankster of the pasta family, always ready to soak up all the saucy goodness. Tubular delights like rigatoni and penne rigate take center stage here. Rigatoni, those chubby little tubes, are an excellent choice for stuffing with cheese or meat fillings and baking them in a luscious tomato sauce. Penne rigate, with its ridges and hollow center, is the perfect conduit for creamy vodka or spicy arrabbiata sauces. Watch these sauce sponges work their magic and deliver an explosion of flavors!
Dear pasta lovers, embrace the variety of long, sleek short, striped, and holey pasta, and let them dance with their saucy soulmates. Explore the depths of flavor, experiment with combinations, and relish in the joy that only a steaming plate of pasta can bring.
May your pasta shape adventures bring you endless joy!