Can anyone resist a huge, comforting bowl of pasta served with the freshest Sugo al Pomodoro? Or may you never say no to a rich dish of Pasta all’amatriciana? Authentic Italian pasta makes for one of life’s greatest pleasures and boasts a very rich tradition!
Pasta types to try
Italy’s national dish comes in endless varieties. Try straight penne cylinders, or long strands of spaghetti. Large Paccheri are perfect for capturing lashings of sauce and the filled pasta parcels of ravioli reveal hidden treasures of cheese and spinach or meat. Pasta comes in dry or fresh varieties and people argue with a passion about their relative superiorities!
Pasta sauces to look out for
Carbonara is a huge favourite – a mouth-watering combination of crispy bacon, fresh egg yolks, grated pecorino and lashings of freshly-ground black pepper. The name is derived from the Italian word for charcoal burner: ‘carbonaro’ – which may refer to original cooking methods or the Carbonari revolutionaries. Its origins are from Rome, as Amatriciana, prepared with tomato sauce, veal bacon, pecorino cheese and parsley, and Cacio e Pepe, made just with pecorino and freshly ground black pepper.
Recipes from North to South
For something different, try fresh pesto (whose original recipe comes from Liguria), which blends basil leaves, olive oil and parmesan – sometimes with other ingredients such as green beans, potatoes and pine nuts. Or keep it basic with Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino, which simply combines the best quality pasta with oil, garlic and pepper. Spaghetti al pomodoro is the dish that chefs use to evaluate each other – combining the simplest tomato, basil and seasoning with pasta, while Spaghetti in guazzetto layers seasoned pasta and tomato sauce with fresh shrimps, squids, mussels, clams and scallops.
Combinations to enjoy
Italians argue fiercely over the ‘right’ combinations of pasta and sauce, which vary by region and are then imagined across the world in fresh new ways. Begin with the classics as you explore your culinary Italian roadmap; penne served with spicy arrabbiata, spaghetti served with carbonara (swirl your fork upright in it to catch the spaghetti!), rigatoni or calamarata with Amatriciana and tonnarelli or spaghetti alla Chitarra with cacio e pepe. Moreover, lasagne are perfect with fresh ragù alla bolognese , spaghetti with Pomodoro and with Sugo in guazzetto, and trofie are ideal with the freshest pesto sauce.
Experience it for yourself
Italian food is as exciting and colourful as the Italians themselves – and once you discover the taste of pasta, you will enjoy a lifelong passion for this endlessly varied dish. Visit Eataly to experience the full range of finest pasta and authentic sauces for yourself and to create a meal to remember tonight!