Imagine the time when you are craving to eat your favourite Italian food (Pasta), you browse for a restaurant online, go to the menu and are stuck by the different names you see for pasta. You suddenly realise this is all together something new, what happened to the simple old pasta or mac and cheese? If you have faced this situation, you are just in the right place. 

Just so that you don’t have any confusion with the pasta names and face problems in ordering your delicious pasta, we are here with the type of pasta shapes to know and love in Germany. Pasta and egg noodles have always been the most loved side dish for the beautiful people of Germany. Pasta is usually made with hard and soft wheat and wholemeal semolina. But with the always changing names and pasta recipes, you may be in for something new, every time you wish to have the most loved Italian food. So if you find some pasta with additional ingredients like tomatoes or spinach or herbs do not be too surprised. 

But before going further, let us dig in a little about where this amazing dish originated?

History And Origin Of Pasta

If we look into history, today, pasta may be an everyday meal for most of the people, however, in earlier times, pasta was a special dish, only enjoyed by Italian nobles. Later during the 20th century, the Americans fell in love with pasta. They became a big-time pasta fan and in fact, even the big screens of American films featured spaghetti in several classical movies. This was about the Americans, on the other hand, Italians have a rather complex and interesting history when it comes to pasta. 

Made from durum wheat flour, pasta gets its name from the mushy texture of the dough when first mixed. Different doughs have different names, many depending on the different ways the dough is shaped. Fresh pasta is often mixed, cooked and eaten right away, while dry pasta is dried for storage. It is generally cooked by boiling it in hot water later. You might have seen pasta in a few shapes, but if we actually look into the records, pasta shapes can be as many as 200 types, any of these could be used in a wide variety of sauces and sides, all with their regional variations. 

Though, during the 16th century, pasta was considered a special dish only for the wealthy and noble people. However, during the late 17th century, it became a dish enjoyed and loved by the common men as well. 

Now getting back to the point, let us have a look at the list of famous types of pasta shapes to know and love in Germany. 

Different Types And Shapes Of Pasta

The production process of pasta is simple, but the uses of the finished product are incredibly interesting. The different shapes of pasta: cut into squares, rolled into tubes, pulled into long threads and twisted into spirals are varied.

1. Spaghetti:

Spaghetti is one of the most loved pasta, not just in Italy, but all over the world. In Italian, it is referred to as “Little Strings”. You can see many variations in spaghetti as well like spaghetti alla, spaghettini, chitarra, spaghettini, etc. Generally, spaghetti is served with meatballs or tomato sauce, but it is not limited to this and you can see multiple dishes made with spaghetti. 

2. Linguine:

In comparison to spaghetti, linguine is broader and flatter and is known as “Little Tongues”. You may come across other names for linguine like radichini, bavettine, bavette fini, linguettine, trenette, etc. Linguine is generally served with pesto.

3. Fettuccine:

While linguine is broader and flatter than spaghetti, fettuccine is flatter than linguine also. In Italian, it is called “Little Ribbons”. Like other pasta, fettuccine also has various names like ramicce, lasagnette, sagne, fettucce, etc. Fettuccine is normally served with heavy cream sauce and the most loved fettuccine dish is Fettuccine Alfredo.

4. Tagliatelle:

Tagliatelle is perfect for capturing every drop of sauce and can be served with meat or bolognese sauces, as well as garnished with options like nuts, cheese, tomato and basil. The word tagliatelle originated from the Italian herb name – tagliare. Tagliare means to cut, it looks something like fettuccine but is a little narrower. 

5. Scialatielli:

Scialatielli is just another version of tagliatelle, which is cut into shorter pieces. It was invented by a chef named Enrico Cosentino in the 60’s. And this makes it the most recent types of pasta. 

6. Pappardelle:

The funny name pappardelle originated from the verb called pappare. Pappare means “eat with a childish joy and pleasure”. Pappardelle best compliments with thick rabbit ragu, but can be equally delicious if slowly cooked with any type of meat. And this pasta type is the largest form of ribbon-shaped pasta. 

7. Mafaldine:

Mafaldine pasta’s name originated after the princess of Savoy – Princess Mafalda. Like other types of pasta, this is also flat and has wavy edges. Mafaldine is also known as reginette which literally means “Little Princess”. It tastes best when served with game sauces, Napoletano stew, fish sauces made from crustaceans or crustaceans, and white sauces made from soft cheeses with the addition of ginger, horseradish or saffron.

8. Capellini:

Capellini is also known as “Angel hair Pasta” which in Italian translates to “thin hair”. Capellini is another version of spaghetti. Capellini best compliments with light tomato sauce, soups, broths, light dairy sauce, consommes, parsley creme, etc. 

9. Maccheroni:

Maccheroni means “miller’s wife’s pasta”. Maccheroni alla molinara is another type of thick, extra long, hand-rolled noodles, but they are formed into curls. In fact, according to the food experts, the pieces are originally five feet long before they are put together.

10. Ravioli:

Ravioli is the most famous and most loved type of stuffed pasta. It is generally filled with meat or cheese, however, the filling may differ according to the taste and region preferences. The pieces of ravioli pasta are usually cut into small square shapes and sealed with a fork on the ends to give the texture of the ridges to it. 

These were the top 10 types of pasta shapes to know and love in Germany. If you are looking for some extraordinary delicious pasta or Italian dishes, download our app Halloessen and browse through our wide range of restaurants offering some really tempting pasta. Halloessen offers online food delivery, table reservation and pick-up services in your very own German cities, Jena, Leipzig, Erfurt, Weimar, Nordhausen, Gera and Saalfeld. 

Hurry up and order now using the Halloessen app – the best online food delivery app to avail exciting discounts and offers.