World Pasta Day: Embrace Carbs AND Lose Weight - A recipe just for you

It’s World Pasta Day, so we’re celebrating by exploring everything there is to know about this amazing Italian dish. From the different types of pasta (did you know there are over 300?!) to delicious AND healthy recipes, let’s tuck into the stuff carb dreams are made of.

So, what is pasta? 

Essentially, pasta is an Italian ingredient usually made from flour (commonly durum) mixed with water or eggs. Once the dough is made, it’s usually formed into flat sheets and then other shapes using a pasta maker (or by hand). To cook, it’s then boiled or baked, and served with different ingredients and flavours. 

Where did pasta originate? 

According to certain sources, the first documented information on pasta in Italy dates back to the 13th or 14th centuries. However, in the 1st Century AD, Horace is said to have mentioned lasagne - so, it’s been around a while! 

Since then, pasta has become a staple of not only the Italian diet, but the global diet. From the UK’s faves of bolognese and carbonara, to Asia’s twist with chow mein, pasta is everywhere - and we love it!

What are the different types of pasta?

There are said to be over 300 different types of pasta, with over 1,300 different names used. You’ll be glad to hear we’re not going to list all 300, but we will name the top 10 types of pasta most of us enjoy day-to-day. 

Macaroni

Coat them in a rich cheese sauce and you’ve got a bowl of pure comfort. 

Farfalle

The little bow-tie pasta shapes. Cute and delicious. 

Fusilli

Twists of pasta you’ll likely find in your cupboard. 

Spaghetti

The crucial ingredient to any decent bolognese. 

Penne

These tunnels of pasta scoop up rich sauces to liven up every mouthful. 

Conchiglie

Shaped like shells, they’re also perfect for scooping up yummy sauces.

Fettucine

Like spaghetti but wider and dreamy with an alfredo sauce. 

Orecchiette 

Said to resemble a small ear (hence the name), these are often found in soups and stews. 

Orzo

No, they’re not rice - they’re pasta! But they also work as a great alternative to risotto rice. 

Pappardelle 

Super-wide strips of pasta, this type of pasta goes really well with a hearty beef ragu.

Is pasta healthy?

Short answer? Yes. When enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, pasta is a delicious and healthy option. A good source of energy and rich in fibre, it’s the perfect ingredient to pair with vegetables, grilled fish and chicken. It’s all about moderation, so make sure you keep tabs on how much pasta you’re eating and don’t overindulge in dishes with rich sauces.

Can you eat pasta on The 1:1 Diet?

Another big YES! We know pasta is delicious, so we’ve currently got three healthy yet yummy meal options for you to tuck into. From our super-creamy Carbonara Flavour Pasta and Macaroni Cheese Flavour Pasta, to the classic fave Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour Pasta, we’ve got everyone’s tastes covered. 

And that’s not all, our product list is ever-expanding, so keep your eyes peeled for new pasta dishes coming soon.

Chilli and prawn spaghetti

On top of our delicious meals, we’ve also got a variety of healthy and mouthwatering pasta recipes on our blog. To get you inspired, here’s one of our recipes we know you’ll LOVE. 

Ingredients:

• 120g spaghetti (dry weight)

• Spray oil

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• A pinch of dried chilli flakes

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 100ml dry white wine

• 4 tbsp chopped parsley

• 350g peeled raw tiger prawns

• 80g rocket

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Method:

Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling, salted water (according to the instructions on the packet) until just tender (al dente). Drain well.

Meanwhile, lightly spray a large frying pan with oil and place over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add chilli, lemon juice, white wine and parsley and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat a little, and let it bubble away and reduce for about 5 minutes.

Add the prawns and rocket and cook for 2 minutes until the prawns turn pink and the rocket wilts. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Toss with the drained spaghetti to coat all the strands and divide between 2 shallow serving bowls. Serve immediately sprinkled with parmesan. Enjoy!

You can check out the full recipe here for additional nutritional info.