Pasta is one of the most-loved Italian dishes in the world. Coming in different shapes and sizes — from fusilli to spaghetti — it can be cooked in a variety of sauces.
Paying homage to the popular dish, Taste Atlas — an experiential travel online guide for traditional food — released a list of the best-rated pasta dishes in the world.
Pappardelle al cinghiale ranks first on the list, followed by Pasta carbonara and Tagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese which occupy the second and third places, respectively.
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Describing Pappardella al cinghiale, Taste Atlas noted that Pappardella is a famous Tuscan pasta variety that is paired with ragù di cinghiale (made with wild boar) — making it one of the region’s best gastronomic experiences. “Unlike classic ragù, the one prepared with wild boar has an intense, much stronger flavour achieved by long, slow simmering in a rich sauce of tomatoes and red wine,” it said.
This tender meat is then paired with fresh egg pasta and is topped with chopped fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmigiano — making it a perfect, comforting winter dish. You can team this dish with a glass of Tuscan red wine to elevate the rich and delicious flavour.
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Meanwhile, Pasta carbonara is prepared by simply tossing spaghetti with guanciale (cured pork jowl), egg yolks and Pecorino Romano cheese.
“Even though carbonara is considered a typical Roman dish today, its origins are quite vague and often disputed,” according to the popular food guide. “The name is said to have been derived from the carbonari, woodcutters and charcoal-makers who lived in the Appenine mountains northeast of Rome, and who supposedly cooked their pasta over a hardwood charcoal fire and tossed it with eggs and cheese.”
On the other hand, tagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese is a traditional Italian dish with its origins in Bologna, consisting of tagliatelle pasta and a rich ragù made with a mixture of minced beef and pork, and tomatoes as the main ingredients.
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While tagliatelle al ragù — one of Bologna’s signature dishes — is considered to be synonymous with spaghetti Bolognese, the two dishes bear little to no resemblance. “In fact, the world-famous Italian ragù alla Bolognese meat sauce is never served with spaghetti in Bologna. Instead, when it isn’t served over fresh tagliatelle, you will most often find it topping a bed of some other ribbon-like pasta, such as fettuccine or pappardelle,” Taste Atlas said.
Contrary to popular perception, there are other countries besides Italy on the list to be contending for the title of the world’s finest pasta dishes. The classic Greek casserole — Giouvetsi — ranks seventh on the list. Named after Turkish earthenware, Giouvetsi is a common meal served at large family gatherings and various festive occasions. A combination of pasta and tomato-braised meat, it is prepared as a one-pot oven dish.
“Although veal is the traditional choice, various types of meat may be employed, while the rich tomato sauce is usually seasoned with cinnamon, allspice, red wine, cloves, and bay leaves,” Taste Atlas noted.
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Check out the top-ten pasta dishes in the world:
1. Pappardelle al cinghiale- Tuscany, Italy
2. Pasta carbonara- Rome, Italy
3. Tagliatelle al ragù alla Bolognese- Bologna, Italy
4. Lasagne alla Bolognese- Bologna Italy
5. Linguine allo scoglio- Campania, Italy
6. Pasta all gricia- Grisciano, Italy
7. Giouvetsi- Greece
8. Culurgionis d’Ogliastra- Province of Nuoro, Italy
9. Bigoli con l’anatra- Province of Vicenze, Italy
10. Ravioli- Italy
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