Discover America’s Favorite Pasta Shape, According to Barilla!

From simple buttered pasta to elaborate bucatini bolognese or a hearty baked ziti, pasta serves as my go-to comfort food that’s both easy on the wallet and a hit with my family of four. It’s one of the rare dishes that everyone in the household loves, even though we might squabble over the type of pasta to use.

While my children are partial to angel hair pasta, I have a penchant for types that hold onto sauces well, like mafalde, or those perfect for soups, such as ditalini. However, the pasta experts at Barilla point out that the all-time American favorite is classic spaghetti.

Spaghetti is not only Barilla’s top-selling pasta shape but also the preferred choice in the Southern, Western, and Midwestern states, with 60 percent of consumers favoring it. Compare this to the Northern states, which lean towards tubular shapes like ziti, rigatoni, and penne. Despite the rise in popularity of new shapes, traditional ones remain steadfast favorites. In fact, Barilla’s National Spaghetti Day Survey reveals the top three pasta shapes in the U.S. are spaghetti, angel hair, and penne, with fettuccini and lasagna completing the top five.

Spaghetti is akin to a versatile little black dress in the culinary world. It can be dressed down with a simple tomato sauce or butter and cheese, or elevated with luxurious additions like shaved truffles or a sprinkle of bottarga. According to Barilla, spaghetti’s widespread appeal is due to its versatility and ease of cooking. The company notes, “Spaghetti has a rich Italian culinary heritage that many cultures embrace. It often evokes memories of comforting family meals and homemade dishes.”

Barilla’s Tips for Perfect Spaghetti

• Start with a large pot of water, bring it to a boil, and season with salt.
• Barilla’s Head Chef suggests using 4 teaspoons of salt per gallon of water.
• Avoid adding oil to the boiling water.
• Keep the spaghetti whole. “Spaghetti’s length is crucial for its interaction with sauces, enhancing flavor and texture. Breaking the pasta compromises this dynamic,” explains Barilla.
• Cook the spaghetti until it is al dente, stirring every few minutes.
• When preparing pasta for salads served cold, cook it one minute less than the suggested time on the package.

Our Top Spaghetti Dishes

• Spaghetti all’Assassina
• Spaghetti with Clams
• Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
• Pasta Carbonara