An emblematic Italian speciality. Pasta is very popular with young and old alike. Discover the different varieties of pasta that exist and the multitude of recipes that you can make.

Origin and history of pasta

Pasta, a story of Americans and Arabs….

Pasta is intimately associated with Italy, as is couscous with Maghreb countries and paella with Spain.

The legend or perhaps even a story created by the Americans just like the invention of Santa Claus all red massified by Coca Cola, says that it was Marco who in 1296 brought this product back from China.

Indeed the first traces of shapes resembling noodles were discovered in China in 2005 and date back 4000 years.

Returning to the innocent Marco polo and Italy to set the record straight. Dry pasta was introduced by the Arabs in the 9th century, before the birth of Marco Polo, when they conquered Sicily.

The Arab-Andalusian geographer Al-Idrisi mentions in his "Book of Roger", published in the 12th century, the pasta factories located in Trabia, near Palermo. Then they will spread throughout Italy and Europe through commercial channels.

Pasta is very popular all over the world and there are many ways to prepare it. When talking about the popularity of pasta, one of the first things that comes to mind is the wide range of components that can be used to cook it: sauces, meat, seafood...

The different types of pasta

There are many types of pasta. They differ in shape, size, etc. Here are the most popular ones:

Spaghetti

This long pasta with a diameter of 2 to 3 mm is very popular and common. They are served with a tomato sauce, Bolognese sauce or a broth in the case of spaghetti vongole. What is appreciated is the way they are turned with a fork before being eaten.

Lasagne

Lasagne is one of the most popular dishes in the world. Whether it is served with tomato sauce or prepared in the traditional way, there is always something to like. These rectangular-shaped pasta dishes are always a hit in the kitchen. The basic Italian recipe consists of alternating layers of lasagne, béchamel sauce and tomato sauce.

Macaroni

Macaroni is a small tube that originates from Naples, Italy and is about 5 cm long. Macaroni is a small, simple and unpretentious pasta that has become one of the most popular noodles in the world thanks to the basic macaroni and cheese recipe. Simple and quick to prepare and so good!

Ravioli

Ravioli is a delicious stuffed pasta. Very easy to prepare, they are simply put in boiling water and filled with cheese or vegetables. Very popular with children, ravioli can be prepared in a variety of ways depending on taste and the foods available.

Tagliatelle

Tagliatelle pasta is one of the most famous ribbon pastas. Originating in Bologna, it is usually prepared in a sauce.

Plats célèbres de pâtes

There are many ways to eat pasta: in a salad, in a dish, in a gratin... etc. Here are three very famous and very popular pasta dishes:

Carbonara Pasta

Pasta Carbonara is one of Rome's most iconic dishes. It combines three classic Roman ingredients: bacon, eggs and pecorino cheese, and is traditionally served over spaghetti or rigatoni.

It is best to combine the egg yolk with the uncooked pecorino, away from the heat, to prevent it from turning into an omelette. It is also the most reproduced Italian dish in the world, according to the Italian Academy of Cuisine.

Pasta with Bolognese sauce

Bolognese sauce, often served over egg tagliatelle, is a meat-based sauce that originated in the Emilia region and then spread very quickly throughout the world.

To reduce the acidity of the tomatoes and increase the consistency of the sauce, a little milk is added at the end of cooking to a combination of minced meat and many vegetables. The secret of a successful Bolognese sauce lies in the cooking time. The sauce should be cooked on a very low heat for 3 hours.

Pasta with pesto sauce

Recognised by its green colour, pesto sauce is a sauce of vegetables and raw basil. It is combined with garlic, olive oil and cheese. It goes well with all types of pasta, but the perfect match for a succulent dish is to combine pesto with "trofie"... a real treat.

Pasta