- Pasta dates back to 4th century B.C where an Etruscan tomb showed a group of natives making what appears to be pasta.
- The word "pasta" comes from the Italian for paste, meaning a combination of flour and water.
- There are more than 600 pasta shapes produced worldwide.
- October 17th is National Pasta Day.
- Thomas Jefferson is credited with introducing macaroni to the United States.
- It takes about 5,600 gallons of water to produce just over 2 pounds of dried pasta.
- The three most popular pastas' are: penne, spaghetti, and macaroni.
- China is the largest producer of pasta, followed by Italy and the United States.
- Spaghetti Bolognese was actually not invented in Bologna, Italy.
- In the 13th century, the Pope set quality standards for pasta.
- The first pasta machine was patented in 1600 by Cesare Spadaccini.
- Before the industrial revolution, pasta was a luxury item in Italy because it was labor intensive to make.
- The largest spaghetti serving was achieved in California in 2010 when Buca di Beppo managed to fill a swimming pool with over 13,780 pounds of pasta.
- Pasta is a great source of carbohydrates, which provides the body with energy.
- The first written reference of pasta was in the book "De arte Coquinaria per vermicelli e maccaroni siciliani" (The Art of Cooking Sicilian Macaroni and Vermicelli), in 1154.
- Marco Polo did not introduce pasta to Italy. Contrary to popular belief, pasta was already used in Italy before Marco Polo's travels to Asia.
- In Italy, pasta is often eaten as a first course, or primo, not as a main dish.
- Al dente, which means "to the tooth" in Italian, is the ideal consistency for cooked pasta.
- The largest pasta company in the world is Barilla, based in Parma, Italy.
- According to Guinness World Records, the longest strand of spaghetti measured 10,776 ft and was made by Aloisio Fontana in Italy.
- The first ever pasta production line was made in Naples in the early 19th century.
- The first American pasta factory was opened in Brooklyn in 1848 by a Frenchman named Antoine Zerega.
- The average Italian eats more than 51 pounds of pasta every year.
- The average person in North America eats about 15-20 pounds of pasta annually.
- Pasta is usually categorized in two basic styles: dried and fresh. Dried pasta is made without eggs, which allows it to be stored for up to two years. Fresh pasta will generally spoil within a couple of days.
- There's a museum dedicated to pasta in Rome. It's called the "Museo Nazionale della Pasta Alimentari".
- Italians never use a spoon and a fork when eating spaghetti. This is an American habit.
- The art of pasta making is a family tradition in Italy and recipes are passed down from generation to generation.
- Ravioli was first created in the 14th century.
- Lasagna, one of the most popular types of pasta, comes from Italy and it's believed to be one of the oldest types of pasta.
- Carbonara pasta does not actually include cream – the creamy sauce is made from eggs, cheese, pancetta, and pepper.
- Traditionally, small shapes of pasta are used for soups, medium-sized shapes are used for casseroles and salads, and larger sizes are for stuffing.
- In Italy, laws have been established governing what ingredients can be used in pasta-making for it to be considered authentic Italian pasta.
- The earliest reference to pasta served with tomato sauce dates back to 1790.
- Pasta does not make you fat. Consumed in moderate quantities, it does not lead to weight gain.
- Pasta should be cooked in a large pot of boiling, salted water to prevent it from sticking.
- Some of the most unusual pasta shapes include Radiatori (inspired by radiators), Cavatappi (corkscrew), and Rotelle (wheels).
- Italian dried pasta must be made with 100% durum semolina flour.
- The Guinness World Record for the largest bowl of spaghetti was set in 2009, when a Buca di Beppo restaurant in Garden Grove, CA, filled a swimming pool with more than 13,780 pounds of pasta.
- Tortellini is a type of pasta that is typically stuffed with a mix of meat or cheese. According to legend, tortellini was inspired by the navel of the goddess Venus.
- Many people believe that adding oil to the cooking water prevents pasta from sticking together. However, most culinary professionals advise against this as it can prevent the sauce from adhering to the pasta properly.
- The phrase "al dente" comes from an Italian phrase which means "to the tooth", referring to the pasta being firm when bitten.
- The largest ever serving of a pasta dish was over 17,416 pounds of Fusilli (spiral pasta) made by Alfredo Restaurants in Rome, Italy in 2010.
- Lasagna is the plural form of the word "lasagna". If you're referring to a single sheet, you should technically call it "lasagna". However, this rule isn't followed strictly.
- The tradition of pairing specific shapes of pasta with certain sauces comes from Italy.
- The International Pasta Organization was formed to promote consumption and awareness of pasta around the world.
- The Buitoni Company, founded in 1827, is one of the oldest pasta companies in the world.
- The "Pasta Rule" in cooking is 1-10-100: 1 liter of water, 10 grams of salt, 100 grams of pasta.
- The first American pasta factory was opened in Brooklyn in 1848 by a Frenchman, Antoine Zerega.
- It is believed that the earliest form of pasta was made by ancient civilizations using grains and water, which they would then bake.
