Pasta is really good at being things. Whether you like to cook at home a lot or you just want something to eat after a long day knowing about the different kinds of pasta is the key to making a simple dinner really special. This guide will show you the five kinds of pasta you should have in your kitchen and how to make them taste really great.
The Classic Foundation: Spaghetti
Spaghetti is the popular kind of pasta. Its long thin shape is perfect for sauces like Aglio e Olio or classic tomato sauce.
The good thing to remember: always finish cooking your spaghetti in the pan with the sauce. If you add a bit of the water you cooked the spaghetti in it helps the sauce stick to the pasta so you do not have a lot of sauce at the bottom of your plate.
The Sauce Pocket: Penne
People love penne because it has a hole in the middle and lines on the outside. These things help the pasta hold onto sauces like Arrabbiata or mushroom Alfredo.
The thing to remember: penne is thicker than spaghetti so it takes a little longer to cook. You want to make sure it still has a bit of bite to it. It does not get too soft when you add other ingredients.
The Cream Specialist: Fettuccine
Fettuccine is great with sauces because it is flat and wide. This means the sauce can cover the pasta evenly without making it clump together.
The good thing to remember: if you are using dried fettuccine look for the kind that is called "bronze-cut". This kind has a texture, which helps it hold onto sauces better.
The Versatile Giant: Rigatoni
Rigatoni is an useful kind of pasta. It is bigger and stronger than penne, which makes it great for pasta dishes or hearty meat sauces.
The good thing to remember: use rigatoni when you have a sauce with pieces of vegetables or meat. The big hole in the pasta lets the ingredients get inside.
The Modern Essential: Instant Pasta
Instant pasta is really popular these days. It is great for when you're in a hurry and do not have a lot of time to cook. The key to making pasta taste good is not just following the instructions on the box but also adding some extra things to make it special.
The Art of Making Instant Pasta Better
You do not have to settle for a bowl of pasta. Here is how to make a meal into something really special:
Fresh things like garlic: while your water is boiling, cook some fresh garlic or chili flakes in olive oil.
Adding some green: put some spinach or arugula into your pasta right before you eat it. The heat, from the pasta will make the greens wilt perfectly.
Good fats: use a good quality olive oil or some unsalted butter of the oil that comes with the instant pasta.
Adding some acidity and texture: a squeeze of lemon juice or some toasted breadcrumbs can make your instant pasta taste brighter and more interesting.
