Did you know… there are over 350 different types of pasta in Italy?

Italy is home to an astonishing variety of pasta shapes—more than 350, each with its own name, region of origin, and ideal pairing. From the long strands of spaghetti to the tiny twists of fusilli, every shape is designed to enhance the flavor and texture of specific sauces.

But it doesn’t stop there—some pasta shapes even carry stories from the past. For example, strozzapreti, which translates to "priest stranglers", has a humorous and mysterious history, with some legends saying they were so good that greedy priests choked on them!

And yes, the sauce matters. In Italian tradition, pasta shape and sauce are a carefully matched pair: thin sauces go with delicate pastas like angel hair, while hearty ragù clings best to wide ribbons like pappardelle.

So next time you're choosing pasta, remember: it's not just about the taste—it's about the tradition behind every twist, curl, and ribbon.