Ok, ok. So in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’ll let you out on a little secret. I’m Italian. My extended family tree boasts 198 people, 127 of which are blood related, all of which I can name, and have met. And have probably hung out with on more than one occasion. Seriously, this is a fifteen-year old picture of my family:
I can add about 25 off the top of my head to this picture. So you can imagine.
So you think, because I can sputter 15 or so words of Italian and because I can speak to you in Italian-American made-up words my mother imparted on me, I would know the difference between macaroni and pasta. But I didn’t. So, today, for some unknown reason to me, I wondered, “Wait, what is the difference?” APPARENTLY there is a difference, but don’t tell Jeff because I think we argued this point, once.
Macaroni is defined as: “pasta in the form of narrow tubes.”
Pasta, however, is defined as: “dough formed into various shapes (e.g. spaghetti, lasagne), cooked as part of a dish or in boiling water and served with a savoury sauce.”
So there you go. Rest easy, folks. This girl does the research for you…So just so we’re clear:
MACARONI:
PASTA:
This is a lie that the non-Italians have told you. It is all called macaroni, although pasta is an acceptable substitute. Do you know what is not? NOODLES. When I think of noodles, I think of egg noodles found in soup, and that is all. Whenever Jon calls a delicious piece of ziti a noodle, I have this urge to hit him with multiple wooden spoons. That is all.
Can I please tell you I hate when people call pasta/macaroni noodles as well? It’s something non-cultured people do. It’s like calling hummus “dip” or something. Offensive. That’s what it is.
Meanwhile, it is true that all Italians call pasta “macaroni.” I am merely going by the Anglo-Saxon meaning of the word.