Last Updated on May 2, 2022 by Share My Kitchen
Spaghetti is the most popular Italian dish in the world. It is a type of pasta that is long and string-like. Now, are spaghettini similar to spaghetti or are they entirely different?
What’s the difference between spaghettini and spaghetti?
Spaghettini and spaghetti are noticeably very different in thickness. Although both are long and thin noodles, spaghettini is thinner than spaghetti. Also, spaghettini takes less time to prepare.
Pasta can be divided into groups according to their shape. There are many pasta shapes, including short ones (such as bowties, elbows, and penne), soup (such as pasta, orzo, and ditalini), shells (such as traditional shells and manicotti), filled ones (such ravioli and tortellini), and long ones.
Both spaghettini and spaghetti belong to the long type of pasta. Long pastas are versatile and can be enjoyed by both picky eaters as well as food connoisseurs. They can be paired both with hearty and light sauces.
Plus, both types of pasta are great with tomato sauce and oven-baked buns.
What is spaghetti?
Spaghetti is a long, thin piece of pasta. It is a staple of many Italian dishes. This pasta is usually lighter in color because it is made using refined flour. However, it can also be made with whole wheat flour that gives a darker color.
A quick fact: spaghetti literally means “little twine.” There are many varieties of spaghetti, and spaghettini is one of them. Spaghettini is thinner than traditional spaghetti.
There other variations include: spaghettoni (which is thicker than spaghetti), bucatini (thicker than spaghetti, but more straw-like than spaghettoni with a hollowed-out center), capellini (which is thinner than spaghettini), and finally angel’s hair pasta (which makes the thinnest type of spaghetti).
What is spaghettini?
Spaghettini is a delicate and refined version of spaghetti. It is often used with seafood, such as salmon or tuna, or in oil-based sauces. However, like all pastas, it can be used with any dish or with any sauce.
Barilla, a pasta company, suggests using spaghettini with light sauces such as tomato sauce, broths or soups, with a light dairy sauce, such as parsley, or in a consomme, which is a clear soup made from concentrated stock.
This pasta is a healthier option over traditional spaghetti. Spaghettini is a great source of energy, and It also contains iron and B vitamins that are good for your health. It also has a low glycemic Index.
Glycemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrates in foods based on their effect on blood glucose levels. Low GI foods, such as spaghettini, take longer to digest, which helps you feel fuller for longer.
Spaghettini vs Spaghetti
Both types of pasta can be made from the same ingredients, but they have distinct benefits. Spaghetti is much easier to cook than spaghettini. Because spaghettini is thinner and takes less cooking time, it has more tendency to be overcooked.
Spaghettini can get sloppy if it is overcooked. It can become clumped together, making it almost impossible to eat. It is recommended to cook spaghettini in a pot without its lid for ten to eleven minutes while stirring every now and again.
Spaghetti is easier to prepare, but can still have a chance to be overcooked if it’s left in the pot for too long. It should be cooked in a pot with the lid closed (to be taken off occasionally to stir it) for around twelve to fifteen minutes.
What Sauce Goes With Spaghettini or Spaghetti
These two types of pasta go well with different sauces. Spaghetti, with its medium-density, is usually served with simple sauces. The most popular sauces for spaghetti include olive oil, pesto sauce, marinara, wine sauce or even a buttery sauce.
On the other hand, spaghettini is thinner than spaghetti so it’s best to use light sauces like a vegetable-based sauce (such as garlic and herbs sauce, or a buttery sauce) or a blush sauce, which is a combination of Alfredo and marinara sauces.
Despite spaghettini seeming like a different type of pasta, you will likely see it’s a variety in one of your favorite pasta brands at your local grocery store.
