Say it ain’t so about gnocchi.
Julia Child famously said, People who love to eat are always the best people.
And studies show that Americansreallylove to eat pasta.
The shapes, sizes and sauce combinations are endless, from spaghetti to rigatoni to cavatelli.
But are some shapes better than others?
We interviewed Italian chefs nationwide on what you should and shouldnt order when pasta cravings come calling.
Spaghetti is definitely the best to order at a restaurant because it is a world-renowned shape.
Its also incredibly hard to mess up when cooking.
I usually order a longer noodle pasta like spaghetti.
Tagliatelle
This northern Italian egg pasta is known for its long ribbon-like strands.
Folklore says a chef created it to honor the golden locks of his soon-to-be-wife.
Anything labeled tagliatelle will denote a hand-cut noodle.
Paccheri
Ancient grains take on a new meaning with paccheri.
This large tube-shaped pasta can be traced back to early Neapolitan times when it was considered peasant food.
Radiatori
This relatively new pasta shape was invented sometime between World War I and II.
Its name comes from its shape, which resembles a radiator.
This small, rippled pasta is a sauce magnet and ideal for a fresh summer pasta salad.
Radiatori is my favorite and arguably the most versatile, saidMichael Kramer, the chef/ownerJiannain Greenville, South Carolina.
Cavatelli
Believed to be one of Southern Italys oldest pasta shapes, cavatelli means little hollows.
Take one look at its small caved-in shape, and youll understand why.
When you see it on a menu, theres one big reason chefs say you should order it.
The pasta dough contains ricotta cheese and can be made with different flours to keep it adventurous.
Soft in texture, this pasta can go with many different sauces.
It is the only stuffed pasta to make the list; chefs recommend it for a very specific reason.
But for diners, its almost always a letdown.
Difficult to perfect in a busy kitchen, its often found to be overcooked and clumpy.
Gnocchi
This Northern Italian pasta is actually made from potatoes.
