What is the perfect pasta shape for sauce?

Cascatelli (Italian: [kaskaˈtɛlli]) are a short pasta shape with a flat strip and a pair of ruffles parallel to each other, each of which sticks out at a 90-degree angle from the strip . The ruffles give the shape texture and create a "sauce trough".

What is the rule for pasta shapes?

The Italian rule – which pasta shapes go with which sauces A general guide is that lighter, more delicate sauces of thinner, more liquid consistency are best suited to thinner pasta shapes or filled pasta, stuffed with gently-flavoured ingredients .

Which pasta grabs the most sauce?

Tubular Pasta With Ridges Is The Best Option If you want to grab as much sauce as possible, you should go with tubular pasta with ridges. Two of the most common examples include penne pasta and ziti. The sauce can fill the tubular shape, allowing you to capture a tremendous amount of sauce with each bite.

What gives spaghetti sauce depth of flavor?

Briny ingredients like olives or capers are another way to brighten up your pasta sauce while also introducing texture and depth of flavor.

Do Italians put sugar in spaghetti sauce?

It is widely held that Italian immigrants began adding sugar to their sauce to make up for the overly acidic tomatoes they were forced to work with in their new home. But the history of sugar in pasta sauce actually goes back to Italy itself.

What is the golden rule for pasta?

In Italy, the golden rule for cooking pasta is 1, 10, 100 or 1 liter of water, 10 grams of salt for every 100 grams of pasta . Converted for American cooks, the rule should be 1/3, 3, 30, referring to 1/3 oz of salt, 3 oz of pasta and 30 oz of water.

What is the rule of thumb for pasta?

When you cook pasta, 2 ounces of dry pasta per person is a good rule of thumb to follow.

What is a pasta with cheese inside called?

Ravioli . This is the most well-known stuffed pasta. The singular form is “raviolo” and they are usually made by putting the filling between two sheets of pasta (versus using one piece of pasta and folding it over). The most traditional filling is cheese-based, and it varies in its specifics from region to region.

What is the ideal pasta to sauce ratio?

For tomato-based sauces, a good rule of thumb to follow is to use one jar of 24-ounce pasta sauce for every 16-ounce package of pasta . When calculating how much sauce for pasta per person, generally about 2 to 4 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 cup) of sauce for each 2 ounce (about 1 cup cooked) serving of pasta would be needed.

What pasta shape is best for ragu?

For bolognese or ragu... The meaty chunks in these sauces are easily mopped up by tube-shaped pastas like penne, bucatini, tubini, and tortiglioni . “The meat can enter the tubes and the pasta acts as a great vehicle to carry the sauce,” Tonkinson says.

Does pasta sauce taste better the longer it cooks?

With simmering, the result is more subtle with a slight thickening developed over a longer period of cooking time. The longer cooking time gives the flavors in each component of your dish more time to mix , which is why sauces simmered for hours are always more flavorful.

How To Pick the Right Pasta for Your Sauce

There are five hundred pasta shapes to choose from. The shape of your pasta should dictate your sauce. Choosing the right pasta shape to suit the nature of your sauce makes a big difference to the finished dish. So, where do you start? Continue reading for tips and tricks to use when pairing pasta with your sauce!

Butter or Oil Sauces

Thinking of keeping it simple with your pasta dishes, perhaps only with butter, oil, or some fresh herbs? The best pasta for lighter sauces is thin and delicate long cuts of pasta capellini, thin spaghetti, linguine, Fusilli, lunghi, bucatini, and vermicelli. Sticking to thinner longer cuts of pasta complement the sauce or toss of garlicky olive oil.

Creamy and Cheesy Sauces

The creamier and cheesier and decadent pasta sauces call for sturdier pasta, sauce-capturing noodles that will hold in the rich taste. Pasta with hollows and scoopable shapes, such as cavatappi, elbows, farfalle, fettuccine, shells, and linguine, to experience the creamy, cheesy sauces.

Meat Sauces

When you think of Italian comfort food, you might think of typical meaty sauces or ragùs that are hearty, filling, and flavorful. San Marzano tomato sauce or Bolognese are some of the most common in Italy; these classic slow-simmered sauces are often seen on Sunday dinner at Nonna’s house. The best kinds of pasta to capture the hearty sauces are tube-shaped ones —like Spaghetti, Rigatoni, Bucatini, Pappardelle, Conchiiglie, lumache, and Orecchiette.

Pesto Sauce

You’ve seen pesto on your favorite pasta or even on chicken sandwiches. Pesto is best known as the gorgeously green oil-based herb sauce from Genoa, Italy. The pesto sauce is traditionally made with crushed basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. This fresh and fragrant pasta sauce is served uncooked, so choose a pasta shape that won’t overwhelm it. Similar to oil-based sauces, pesto is served best with longer cuts of pasta, like the corkscrew shape of Fusilli. Pesto works best with Bucatini, Capellini, thinner Spaghettini, and Fettuccine.

At Nico Ristorante, we know our pasta well, for the best pasta feasts serve your pasta with the proper shapes according to the sauces. We have a feeling our recommendations will make your Sunday dinner even better. Impress all your family and eat until you can’t anymore. Still unsure of what works best with what pasta? Leave it up to us to do the cooking and visit us for dinner and try some of the delicious kinds of pasta on our menu.

Our famous chef here at Nico treats every dish like an art piece. Some of the pasta dishes currently on the menu include:

Gnocchi with creamy tomato sauce
Rigatoni with vodka sauce
Ravioli with truffle cream sauce
Linguini with an oil and red pepper sauce

Visit us in The North End, Boston, to experience an authentic Italian meal. Contact us at 617.742.0404 or make a reservation online!

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Why Visit Nico Boston?

Nico Boston is situated right on bustling Hanover Street, in the heart of Boston’s historic North End neighborhood. It is simply a perfect location to dine on delicious and elegant Italian-inspired cuisine, as you are surrounded by the unique and authentic character of the North End. There are few places like it! With our menu of Italian-inspired favorites both old and new, you’ll find something that suits your appetite well. If you haven’t done so already, take a closer look at our full menu here on our website, or give us a call at 617.742.0404 with any questions or concerns. We look forward to having you here at Nico Boston, where each meal is sure to be delicious and memorable. Make a reservation right here on our website!

How To Pick the Right Pasta for Your Sauce | Nico Boston (2024)

Butter or Oil Sauces

Creamy and Cheesy Sauces

Meat Sauces

Pesto Sauce

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Why Visit Nico Boston?

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