Pasta: it’s one of the go-to items for almost every meal in my household!
Some days, it’s an easy meal of boxed mac ‘n cheese. (Did anyone else’s kids go through a phase where that’s all they’d eat?!) Other nights, though, we go all out with lasagna or something even more complicated. No matter what your taste buds prefer, there’s a dish for you.
Some experts estimate there are more than 350 different types of pasta. Food52 has a list of the top 30 types on their website. While it includes a lot of traditional favorites, the list also includes some noodles I’ve never heard of!
- Angel Hair
- Bucatini
- Calamarata
- Farfalle
- Garganelli
- Linquine
- Orecchiette
- Penne
- Rigatoni
What’s your favorite type of pasta? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear about some new pasta dishes to try!
How Much Pasta Do Panel Members Purchase?
According to our data, panel members have scanned more than 4,300 different types of pasta products! That’s lots-a pasta! Panel members buy the most during these months:
- January
- October
- November
- March
- December
Pasta definitely seems to be favored by panelists in the northeastern states! Check out the top five states on average for purchases:
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- New York
Generational Differences in Pasta Purchases
Another interesting fact I found when reviewing our data on pasta is that younger generations panel members tend to buy more of it.
Panel members who are part of Generations X, Y, and Z (born in 1965 or later) buy more units on average per household compared to those who are part of the Greatest Generation or Baby Boomers (born in 1964 or earlier).
One data point that surprised me: pasta is purchased in the same trip as marinara/spaghetti sauce/meat sauce only 18% of the time! I expected this would be higher, as it seems like when I buy one I’m also buying the other.
Another data point that was NOT surprising, however, is that panel members with children purchased more pasta than those without children.
Pasta-tively Amazing Panelist Tips
Whether you choose spaghetti or shells, ravioli or rigatoni, don’t forget to scan your purchases! Report all the ingredients you buy for your pasta dinner, including meats, spices, sauce and more.
If you’re not currently a Panel Member, we’d love to have you join! Sign up here to share your shopping opinions, earn points and enjoy great rewards. You’ll also be able to play our fun, interactive games like Treasure Trove and Halloween Haunt, plus you can earn points by taking surveys. Panel Members can redeem points for gift cards and other items.
Finally, you know I love jokes, so here’s my favorite pasta joke for you: Where did the spaghetti go to dance? The meat ball! You can thank my kids for the silly jokes.
Pasta la vista,
Taylor
Sounds great
I prefer and frequently prepare tri-color Rotini because it contains vegetables. However, I also love spaghetti, fettuccine, egg noodles, and elbow macaroni.
When I was a kid all I would eat is veggies and pasta with BUTTER. It didn’t matter what type of pasta it was as long as there was butter ,no sauce, no cheese. I still prefer my pasta the same way still.
I used to absolutely love pasta. ALL PASTAS! My absolute fave though was Chicken Alfredo with fettuccine pasta. Unfortunately I have Celiacs Disease and the alternative pastas (made with zero gluten like chickpea, rice and such) do not taste the same or have the same texture. So I miss pasta a lot.
We like penne pasta. It’s great with marinara, Alfredo, meat sauce or in a homemade soup. It also bakes nicely as part of a casserole dish.
I had a favorite ziti recipe and lost it, but it was so amazing. My next fave is the oven ready lasagna noodles, makes it so much easier
I have always liked the Pennes, especially in a cheesy dish.
My son likes it when I use Cavitappi pasta in my homemade Mac and cheese. He thinks it holds the cheese better than the large elbow noodles I used to use. He Loves cheese …
I love bow tie (aka Farfalle)! A quick and easy pasta salad with this wonderful pasta: After cooking, add a little grated and shredded Parmesan (to taste), butter or margarine, Zesty Italian dressing (I prefer Wishbone), and parsley flakes. Gently toss, let chill and serve cold. Amazing! Sometimes I add a little jumbo shrimp. Bon apetit!
What is the Cappalini pasta? I have not noticed it in the grocery store
Hello Tamara: Cappalini pasta is Angel Hair pasta. One of my favorites!!
I love cappelini. It hold any type of sauce and clings to the pasta.
Does it cook the same as like an Angel hair?
Hello Rhonda: Capellini pasta is just another word for Angel Hair pasta. I’ve noticed on different brands of angel hair pasta can be a little thinner than another one. I love it with marinara sauce.