The Battle Of The Italian Noodle: Tagliatelle vs Pappardelle

Last modified on June 6th, 2022 at 11:42 pm

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There’s a pasta recipe for everyone, from lasagna to ziti, ravioli to linguine, thanks to its adaptability. One can cook it in various ways with delectable flavorings. It also has a long shelf life, so you may store it until you’re ready to cook. Pasta is a mixture of semolina (flour manufactured from durum wheat) mixed with water or eggs and molded into sheets or other shapes. Italians and Italian Americans cook pasta by boiling or baking it.

The origins of Italian pasta are a contentious subject. While some historians believe pasta originated in Italy, the majority believe it was brought back from China by Marco Polo. Rice flour was used to make the first pasta, which was popular in the east. The pasta was traditionally produced from hard wheat and fashioned into long strands in Italy.

There are almost 600 different types of pasta, each with its own delectable purpose. Long pasta, short pasta, packed pasta, soup pasta – the possibilities are unlimited!. Other shapes and sizes are better for keeping sauces in their ridges than others, and some are excellent for baked foods. While practically any shape or type of pasta can be utilized in a pinch for a quick meal, some are better suited to certain recipes. Wider, thicker kinds of pasta go well with heartier sauces like classic fettuccine alfredo, while thinner noodles go well with lighter ingredients like fresh tomatoes.

Tagliatelle vs Pappardelle

Of the ribbon-shaped pasta, tagliatelle and pappardelle are the common ones. Tagliatelle and pappardelle are both parts of a pasta family known as “the cutters.” Egg dough is used to make both types of pasta. The appearance of tagliatelle and pappardelle is the most noticeable distinction. 

Origin

Pappardelle comes from Tuscany, while Tagliatelle comes from Emilia-Romagna and Marche.

Width of Pasta

Tagliatelle is smaller at 8 mm (33 in) and slightly thicker than pappardelle, which is wide at 2-3 cm (0.75 to 1.25 in) and very thin.

Type of Sauce

Pappardelle is typically served with thicker and richer sauces, as the wide pasta’s flavor may overpower the sauce’s flavor. Tagliatelle is typically eaten with thick meaty sauces prepared with pork, beef, or veal. Tagliatelle is frequently served with a Bolognese sauce.

More About Tagliatelle

Tagliatelle is a popular form of traditional pasta known worldwide, but it originated in Northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna area. The tagliatelle was invented in Bologna, to be precise. Tagliatelle means “to cut”. It has a fettuccine-like shape and a long and flat ribbon. It is usually produced with one egg for every 100 grams of flour, unlike most other forms of pasta made with water and flour. Tagliatelle has a rough, porous structure and is absorbent, so it stays firm even when cooked in thick sauces. 

Tagliatelle is a quick and easy dish to prepare. If you’re using dried tagliatelle, you’ll need to boil it in heavily salted water for seven to ten minutes. When using fresh tagliatelle, cooking time should be between three to four minutes. You can only tell if it’s done by tasting it! It should be firm to the bite or al dente. The longer pasta cooks, the gummier it becomes, so if it adheres to the wall of the mouth, it’s most likely overcooked. After cooking and draining, rinse the pasta.

Best Dishes with Tagliatelle

  1. Tagliatelle Pasta with Orange Juice
  2. Herby Buttered Wild Mushroom Tagliatelle Pasta
  3. Tagliatelle Pasta with Broccoli and Bacon
  4. Tagliatelle Pasta with a Light Mushroom Sauce
  5. Pesto Tagliatelle Pasta

More about Pappardelle

Pappardelle is derived from the Italian verb “to gobble up,” which is exactly what people do when presented with a dish of pappardelle. The origins of pappardelle pasta can be traced back to central Italy, notably Tuscany. This type of pasta was found in Tuscany in the 14th century. Although it’s created from the same egg dough as tagliatelle, it’s rolled out thinner and sliced into 1-inch strips. 

Best Dishes with Pappardelle

  1. Mushroom Pappardelle: Silky pappardelle, chestnut mushrooms, zingy garlic and lemon, and sage flavour form a delightful mix in this light veggie meal.
  2. Pappardelle Bolognese: Salt & Honey’s customised bolognese with Wagyu meat, cherry tomatoes, and handmade rocket pesto make for a perfect dish.
  3. Lamb Ragu Pappardelle: Flat shape makes it ideal for covering in meaty sauces like this sumptuous slow-cooked lamb ragu with a zingy green sauce.
  4. Crab Pappardelle Arrabbiata: Pappardelle is also great in seafood recipes like spicy Arrabiata with fresh crabmeat, samphire, and confit chilli oil.

Can Tagliatelle and Pappardelle be Used Interchangeably?

Yes. Tagliatelle is the most well-known replacement for Pappardelle noodles when they are unavailable. With whichever sauce you serve it with, both types of pasta will be wonderful. It all comes down to personal preference in the end.

What are the Health Benefits of Pasta?

A part of essential food groups

Pasta is made from grain, one of the essential food groups in a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fish, and chicken. It’s a fantastic source of energy and can also provide fiber if made from whole grain. This may help with stomach issues as well as cholesterol control. 

Controls hunger

It’s filling, so it can keep your hunger at bay for a long period. You’ll be less prone to irritable, unpleasant, or “hungry.”

Cholesterol-free and low in sodium

Being cholesterol-free and low in sodium, these pasta variants are a good source of several nutrients, including iron and B vitamins. They can also serve as a dietary supplement for people with hypertension.

Can control sugar levels in diabetes

Pasta’s low glycemic index can help keep blood sugar levels in check. This may also assist in the prevention of diabetes and obesity.

Potential to prevent cancer

Whole-grain pasta has a number of health advantages. Whole grains are a great source of fiber. Dietary fiber can help maintain a healthy weight and help lower cancer risk, including stomach and colon cancer.

Can assist in losing weight

People who ate pasta as part of a Mediterranean diet had a reduced Body Mass Index— a measure of body fat based on height and weight — in one research.

Fairly long shelf life

Pasta, both dry and frozen, have a long shelf life.

Can even be eaten for dessert

It may sound weird, but there are pasta desserts, too, such as almond pasta pie, chocolate stuffed shells, cannoli pasta bites, Sicilian pasta crisps, and more.

What are the Disadvantages of Pasta?

  • Most pasta is high in gluten – it’s not advised to have pasta for people with Celiac disease. Gluten triggers an immunological response in celiac disease patients and damages small intestinal cells.
  • You can be missing out on proteins especially when you are having durum wheat pasta. Ordinary durum wheat pasta contains, on average, 77% carbohydrate and can have less than 10% protein.

Final Thoughts: Pappardelle vs. Tagliatelle

Pappardelle belongs to the “cutters” family of pasta, distinguished by its long, ribbon-like shape. According to this rationale, tagliatelle and fettuccine belong to the same pasta family. However, there is a distinct distinction between pappardelle and tagliatelle, with the former having a much wider shape. While both are produced from egg pasta dough (known as ‘pasta all’uovo’ in the Italian dialect) and are long, flat, and (usually) straight in shape, tagliatelle is 6mm broad (as defined by Bologna’s chamber of commerce), and pappardelle are typically 2-3cm wide.

Reference

Chiavaroli, L., Kendall, C., Braunstein, C. R., Blanco Mejia, S., Leiter, L. A., Jenkins, D., & Sievenpiper, J. L. (2018). Effect of pasta in the context of low-glycaemic index dietary patterns on body weight and markers of adiposity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials in adultsBMJ open8(3), e019438. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019438

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