Pasta FAQs

Q. What is the Mediterranean Diet and how does pasta fit in?

A. The Mediterranean Diet is characterized by abundant variety of plant foods including fruits, vegetables, breads, pasta, cereals, whole grains, potatoes, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. Olive oil as the principal source of fat and fish, especially fatty fish is a mainstay in the diet. Dairy products (mostly cheese and yogurt) and poultry are eaten in low to moderate amounts, and eggs (as many as four) often appear on the weekly menu. Red meat is eaten only on occasion –- a few times a month and wine, although consumed regularly is normally eaten with food and in modest amounts (no more than a small glass or two). Pasta meals are central to the Mediterranean Diet, not only because they are a tasty, inexpensive and easy meal to prepare but also because they are the perfect way to highlight and complement many of the other healthy foods in this diet.


Q. Are grains bad for my memory? Should I cut them out of my diet?

A. With so many mixed messages out there about diet, it’s hard to know who to believe! There is no scientific evidence that eating grains will affect your memory. To help alleviate some of the confusion around wheat in the diet visit the website where you will find scientific research to answer any questions you might have.

Q. Why is pasta so popular?

A.  According to the National Pasta Association (NPA), among the reasons cited for pasta’s popularity are its nutritional value, taste, convenience and economical value. Eighty-four percent of consumers consider pasta to be a healthy food and an important part of a well-balanced diet. In fact, 77 percent of the 1,003 Americans surveyed said they eat pasta at least once a week, while a third eat it three or more times a week.

What’s more, consumers who describe themselves as ‘health conscious’ are more likely than others to eat pasta three or more times a week. In addition, 44 percent of the health-conscious are eating more pasta today than they were five years ago.

Q. Who “invented” pasta?




Q. How is pasta made?

A.  1. Mixing

2. Extruding

3. Drying
The pasta is then sent through large dryers, which circulate hot, moist air to slowly dry the pasta. Because different pasta shapes vary in degrees of thickness, they dry for different lengths of time. Most take 5 or 6 hours to dry.

4. Packing

Q. Is pasta fattening?

A.  Pasta is not fattening. According to USDA’s Handbook 8-20, a 1/2 cup serving of cooked pasta (spaghetti) contains a mere 99 calories, less than half a gram of fat and less than 5 milligrams of sodium.

Pairing pasta with lean meats and protein rich vegetables create a healthy balanced meal. For more information on the nutrition of pasta view our Diet & Nutrition Page.

Q. What are the health benefits of pasta?



Q. Is gluten-free pasta better for me?

A.  For individuals who have been diagnosed with sensitivity to gluten, gluten-free pasta enables them to enjoy pasta as a regular part of their diet. Individuals who do not have gluten sensitivities derive no nutritional benefit from eating gluten-free pasta and will find that traditional enriched pastas provide good nutrient value, such as iron, folic acid and vitamin B.

Q. Does all pasta contain gluten?

A. No. To please all tastes and dietary restrictions, there are numerous varieties of pasta available on the market today. Traditional pasta is typically made from durum semolina wheat or whole wheat. Alternative pastas are made from other grains such as brown rice, KAMUT®, spelt, and quinoa and are now widely available. Some of these alternative options such as KAMUT® and spelt are wheat-based, however gluten-free pasta is also on the market. The primary ingredient in gluten-free pasta is brown or white rice. Other ingredients in gluten-free pasta are quinoa, corn, potato, amaranth and buckwheat.

Q. Can I use gluten free pasta instead of enriched or whole grain in my recipes?

A. Gluten-free pasta is interchangeable in all recipes. The biggest difference you will find when replacing wheat pasta for gluten-free pasta is a difference in texture. Cooking times also vary and with gluten-free pasta, in particular it is important not to overcook. Check out our healthy Pasta Fits recipes here, including this Curried Coconut Mussels over Rice Noodles, which was created especially for those following a gluten-free diet.

Q. How do you cook pasta perfectly every time?


2. Add the pasta with a stir and return the water to a boil. Alex I think you should mention salt here even if you want to say, salting the water is optional, but not necessary to cook pasta.. Just because people expect it.

3. Stir the pasta occasionally during cooking.




Q. How should I store pasta?

A.  Uncooked Pasta

Cooked Pasta

Freezing Pasta

Q. How do I reheat pasta?



Q. How do I pair pasta shapes with appropriate sauces?

A.  When pairing pasta with a sauce, remember that:

  • Thicker pasta shapes, like fettuccine, work well with heavier sauces.

Q. What are the most popular pasta dishes?

A.  According to the American Pasta Report, 40 percent of respondents say spaghetti is their personal favorite, followed by lasagna (12%), macaroni and cheese (6%), fettuccine (6%), linguine (3%), elbows (3%), pasta salad (3%), and angel hair (2%).

Q. What are the most popular pasta shapes?

A.  Find out here.

Q. How can I get new pasta recipes and news?

A.  Connect with Pasta Fits on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest or sign up to receive our “Recipe of the Week” e-blast to get a new recipe in your inbox each week!