What's the difference between pasta and noodles?

Jan 14, 2010

Here's what I've learned
by: Matt - Pasta Recipes Made Easy

What a great question Deana! This issue used to confuse the heck out of me too, and I'm sure we're not the only ones.

The first pasta name problem comes about because Americans and us Brits use different words to talk about pasta.

For us Brits, when we talk about rigatoni or ravioli, we say 'pasta shapes' or 'pasta pieces'. We use 'noodles' in most cases - as you know - to talk about Chinese noodles.

However Americans use 'noodles' to mean pasta shapes, in particular pieces of pasta made using egg. Thus the confusion!

So you'll hear for example US folks talking about 'lasagna noodles' (meaning a lasagna sheet), which to us just sounds bizarre.

But the plot thickens... these noodles the Yanks talk about are a specific type of pasta. If pasta is made using flour, water and egg, then Americans call its shapes noodles (at least according to the Ronzoni definition I use).

Whereas... if a pasta is made without egg (and thickened up by using durum wheat 'semolina' flour instead of plain flour), then the Americans call it macaroni.

Oh, and of course... macaroni is also a mini pasta shape (i.e. mac and cheese). Fun isn't it? ;-)

As for Chinese noodles, these more translucent offerings don't usually contain egg and are mainly differentiated by the specific type of flour used (rice flour etc.)

I hope that helps a little!

Ciao,

Matt.

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Jan 14, 2010
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Submitted by: Matt - Pasta Recipes Made Easy

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What a great question Deana! This issue used to confuse the heck out of me too, and I'm sure we're not the only ones. The first pasta name problem comes about because Americans and us Brits use different words to talk about pasta. For us Brits, when we talk about rigatoni or ravioli, we say 'pasta shapes' or 'pasta pieces'. We use 'noodles' in most cases - as you know - to talk about Chinese noodles. However Americans use 'noodles' to mean pasta shapes, in particular pieces of pasta made using egg. Thus the confusion! So you'll hear for example US folks talking about 'lasagna noodles' (meaning a lasagna sheet), which to us just sounds bizarre. But the plot thickens... these noodles the Yanks talk about are a specific type of pasta. If pasta is made using flour, water <em>and</em> egg, then Americans call its shapes noodles (at least according to the Ronzoni definition I use). Whereas... if a pasta is <a href="http://www.pasta-recipes-made-easy.com/vegan-pasta.html">made without egg</a> (and thickened up by using durum wheat 'semolina' flour instead of plain flour), then the Americans call it macaroni. Oh, and of course... macaroni is also a mini pasta shape (i.e. mac and cheese). Fun isn't it? <strong>;-)</strong> As for Chinese noodles, these more translucent offerings don't usually contain egg and are mainly differentiated by the specific type of flour used (rice flour etc.) I hope that helps a little! Ciao, Matt.

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What's the difference between pasta and noodles?

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