Whether you like spaghetti or penne, pasta is a popular choice. With a variety of shapes and sizes, pasta is versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. The entire month of October is National Pasta Month, and on October 17, pasta lovers come together to celebrate National Pasta Day by cooking their favorite dish or catering a pasta party. Here is a brief history and how you can participate with your family this year.

How to Celebrate National Pasta Day

History

People have eaten pasta for centuries, with some of the earliest references to modern pasta dating back to Italy in the 13th century. Early Spanish settlers are credited with bringing it to the Americas in the 15th century. During the 18th century, Thomas Jefferson fell in love with a dish he called “macaroni” in Paris and carried it back to the United States. Pasta’s popularity in the U.S. took off during the wave of Italian immigration that began in the late 19th century.

Today there are hundreds of known shapes of pasta and countless ways to prepare them. While many associate pasta with Italian cuisine, it’s now a staple enjoyed worldwide, with different countries and cultures creating recipes that feature it. It’s also a common choice on different catering menus for parties and business events.

Ways to Celebrate

Ask each family member for their favorite pasta dish. Whether you cook it all yourself or call for catering, enjoy a pasta meal on National Pasta Day and enjoy each bite with your loved ones. With so many different varieties of pasta, there’s something for everyone. Choose long options like spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine, or try fun shapes like shells, elbows, and bow ties. There are also spiraled rotini or small tubes like penne and rigatoni. For extra flavor, pasta can be stuffed with cheese or meat — such as ravioli and tortellini.

Pasta can be served as the main course, as a cold salad for barbecues, or as a side dish along with a meat or fish. A simple tomato sauce with long or short pasta is always delicious, or you can add chopped meat and meatballs for a heartier meal. If you prefer cream sauces, alfredo is a top choice. Pasta also pairs well with seafood like shrimp, scallops, and clams, or it can be baked into a dish such as lasagna, baked ziti, or manicotti. Sprinkle grated cheese or hot pepper on top as a finishing touch

For catering on National Pasta Day, call Fortuna’s Deli & Caterers of Westport, Connecticut’s favorite family-owned deli and restaurant since 1975. Their homestyle meals are the perfect choice for lunch or dinner, and their caterers ensure that your order is customized to your palate. To place a catering order with this restaurant in Westport, CT, call (203) 226-3587. Visit their website for their menu.