When we hear the word pasta, the first thing that probably comes to mind is spaghetti. That’s understandable, as it’s the most popular type of pasta in Indonesia. But did you know that there are many other types of pasta? What are they? Let’s find out!
What Are Pasta and Noodles?
Pasta is a processed food originating from Italy. It is typically made from a mixture of durum wheat flour, eggs, and water. The dough is then shaped into various sizes and forms, and cooked by boiling. The uniqueness of pasta lies in its wide variety of shapes, where each shape is usually paired with different types of sauces.
Meanwhile, noodles are long, string-like foods more commonly found in Asian cuisine.
Types of Pasta
To make it easier to understand, we’ve grouped the types of pasta based on their shapes:
Long Pasta
Spaghetti : Long and straight, perfect for pairing with tomato or Bolognese sauce.
Fettuccine : Flat and wide pasta, commonly served with creamy sauces like Alfredo.
Linguini : Similar to spaghetti but slightly flatter. Ideal for seafood sauces.
Angel Hair : Thinner than spaghetti, best for light oil- or broth-based sauces.
Pappardelle : Flat pasta, wider and thicker than fettuccine. Great with rich, meaty sauces.
Image: Freepik
Short Pasta
Farfalle : Bow-tie shaped, great for pasta salads.
Fusilli : Spiral-shaped pasta. The twists hold onto creamy sauces and other ingredients well.
Penne : Short tube-shaped pasta with diagonally cut ends. Pairs well with tomato or cream sauces.
Macaroni : Curved tubes with a hollow center. Popular in mac and cheese or as a soup filler.
Ziti : Similar to penne but straight; good for baked pasta dishes.
Gnocchi : Potato-based pasta with a soft texture.
Conchiglie : Shell-shaped pasta that holds sauce well in its curves.
Rotini : Tightly wound spirals, versatile for various sauces.
Orzo : Rice-shaped pasta often used in soups.
Sheet Pasta
Lasagna : Wide sheets layered with meat, sauce, and cheese.
Ravioli : Sheets filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, then folded and cooked.
Image: Unsplash
Types of Noodles
On the other hand, noodles also come in many delicious varieties, such as:
Yellow Noodles/Egg Noodles : Popular noodles used in fried noodles and meatball soup.
Rice Vermicelli (Bihun) : Made from rice, fine in texture, ideal for soups.
Glass Noodles (Soun) : Transparent and chewy, suitable for soups or stir-fries.
Kwetiau : Wide, flat noodles, soft in texture, usually served with meat.
Misoa : Fine, white noodles commonly used in Chinese dishes.
Ramen : Japanese noodles with a chewy texture, usually served in savory broth.
Soba : Made from buckwheat flour, can be served hot or cold.
Udon : Thick and chewy Japanese noodles, perfect for soup dishes.
Image: Freepik
High-Quality Flour Recommendations for Pasta and Noodles
For culinary MSMEs, the quality of raw materials is key to product success. PT Manunggal Perkasa is here to support your business by providing high-quality wheat flour ideal for noodle production. With the right protein content and maintained quality, flour from PT Manunggal Perkasa helps produce noodles that are chewier, softer, and have a longer shelf life. (pj/mkt)