The most important etiquette rules on how to serve and eat pasta. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest at the dining table.
What pasta etiquette is
Pasta etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat asparagus. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect your hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.
If you are hosting, follow pasta etiquette to serve it to your guests appropriately.
If you are a guest, respect pasta etiquette rules to properly eat and enjoy it.
What you should know about pasta
Pasta is an Italian food made from flour mixed with water or eggs. There are several varieties of pasta, depending on multiple factors. The mix of water or eggs, the type of flour, and the shape of pasta.
Etiquette rules to serve and eat pasta
1) How to store pasta
Pasta can be fresh or dry. Homemade pasta is fresh. Dry pasta is the most common in commerce.
Store fresh, uncooked pasta in the fridge. It can last for 2 to 3 days. You can freeze fresh pasta. It can last for up to 3 months.
Store dry pasta in a cool and dry place, such as a pantry. Unopened dry pasta can last for up to 12 months. Do not store dry pasta in the fridge or freezer. The humidity will spoil it.
You can store cooked pasta in the fridge. It could last for 2 to 3 days.
2) How to clean pasta
Do not wash pasta.
3) How to cook pasta
Boil pasta in a large pot with water and salt. Bring water to a boil. Only then, add salt first. Then pasta.
Cook pasta for the exact amount of time. Otherwise, the texture spoils. Cook fresh pasta for 1 to 3 minutes. Cook dry pasta for the exact time written on its packaging. Usually, dry pasta cooks between 8 and 12 minutes. Drain pasta.
Once boiled, you can serve pasta or use it as an ingredient for other recipes.
4) How to serve & present pasta
Serve pasta hot, right after draining it and adding the sauce.
You can plate pasta in individual dishes. Alternatively, serve it on a platter or a bowl. Avoid serving it in a pot or a pan.
In Italian etiquette, pasta is the first course of a meal. Pasta is never eaten as a side dish. Do not mix it with another course.
You can accompany pasta with condiments such as oil and salt. Do not serve bread with pasta.
5) Foods and beverages to pair pasta with
Pasta sauce can contain several ingredients.
Almost every vegetable or mushroom is appropriate. Potatoes, beans, and legumes are common only in pasta soups, not with dry pasta. Cucumbers and carrots are uncommon. Avoid fruit.
Pork, beef, and venison meats match pasta well. Cured meat too, such as Prosciutto or sausage. Avoid chicken or poultry.
Eggs are not common. The carbonara recipe is the exception.
Fish and seafood match well, either fresh or canned. Tuna, anchovies, sea bass, scampi, shrimp, or lobster.
Several Italian kinds of cheese are appropriate. Provolone, Pecorino, Gorgonzola, or Parmigiano. Avoid cheese from other regions, such as Brie or Cheddar.
Do not serve pasta together with other grains.
The ideal wine to pair pasta with depends on the sauce. In general, pair red wine with meat, mushroom, or pasta soups. White wine with fish or vegetables.
6) How to eat pasta
Eat pasta with a fork. Hold the fork with your main hand. Italians do not use a spoon or a knife with their pasta.
With “short” pasta such as Maccheroni or Penne, spear one or two pieces with your fork. Then put them in your mouth.
To eat “long” pasta such as Spaghetti or Tagliatelle, handle your fork in a steep diagonal or almost vertical direction. Block a few Spaghetti with the prongs of your fork. Then, rotate the handle of the fork. Round the spaghetti around the prongs until they make a mouthful. Bring it to your mouth and eat it.
Pasta etiquette: the worst mistakes
The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors.
A high score (8-10) means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score (4-7) means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. More about the Rude Index and its methodology here.
Avoid the worst pasta etiquette mistakes.
- 7/10. Serving overcooked pasta.
- 7/10. Using a knife to eat pasta.
- 6/10. Serving pasta with other grains.
- 6/10. Eating pasta with a fork and a spoon.
- 5/10. Serving pasta as a side dish
- 4/10. Cooking pasta with unusual ingredients.
Additional information for properly serving pasta
How many calories per serving?
Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.
Pasta contains about 360 calories per 100 grams. With sauce, pasta contains 470 calories per 100 grams.
An average individual serving of pasta is between 80 and 100 grams (3 and 3.5 oz). It contains between 400 and 470 calories.
How to buy the best pasta
A crucial factor in pasta etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.
Choose the best
The best pasta must be made from the best ingredients. The safest choice is to buy established Italian brands. Some semi-artisan brands, especially from southern Italy, have a high reputation for quality.
Alternatives to pasta
You can substitute pasta with another grain. Such as rice or couscous.