If you take a trip to Italy, you will probably eat a lot of pasta. Italians are known for their pasta, and there are plenty of pasta styles from which to choose. Generally, the only difference between pasta will be the shape of the noodle. It might seem like a relatively small difference, but the shape of the pasta is very important for the meal. Two of the most popular types of pasta are linguine and fettuccine. What are some of the biggest differences between them?
The Shape
First, we need to take a look at the shape of the noodles. Linguine noodles are significantly narrower than fettuccine noodles. In general, fettuccine noodles are about twice as wide as linguine noodles. This means that fettuccine noodles should have an easier time holding on to the sauce as you roll them up. In contrast, linguine noodles are going to be a bit lighter. Because linguine noodles are thinner, the shape will hold up better if you are eating something with seafood, such as mussels, shrimp, and other types of shellfish.
The Ingredients
Linguine noodles have significantly fewer ingredients when compared to fettuccine. Linguine noodles are usually made with water and semolina flour. In contrast, fettuccine is made with semolina flour, eggs, and some durum wheat. This also means that fettuccine tends to have a heavier, fuller body than linguine.
The Dishes
With a general overview of the differences between linguine and fettuccine, what you really care about is when you should choose specific types of noodles. If you are eating a dish where the sauce has to coat the pasta and stick to it, you should go with fettuccine. If you are eating a dish that is lighter, or with a sauce that is meant to be a thin coating, you should go with linguine noodles instead. Fettuccini is typically used with heavier sauces, such as cream and cheese sauces. Linguine noodles are typically used with lighter sauces, such as seafood dishes.
Enjoy Your Pasta Properly
You must make sure you choose the right pasta for your Italian dish. If you plan on visiting Italy, make sure you try as many different types of pasta as possible!
