Twirl, Slurp, and Savor, National Pasta Day Is Here

Next National Pasta Day Friday, 17 October 2025

Mangiamo! Pasta lovers, unite, October 17th marks National Pasta Day, a celebration of one of the world’s most beloved culinary delights. With hundreds of shapes and countless ways to enjoy it, pasta is a universal comfort food that brings joy to every table.

Whether you crave the creamy richness of fettuccine Alfredo, the hearty goodness of spaghetti bolognese, the layered perfection of lasagna, or the savory bite of filled tortellini, this day is your invitation to indulge in your favorite pasta dish.

Pasta’s popularity is so immense that October is often celebrated as Pasta Month, culminating in the global festivities of World Pasta Day on October 25th.

Background of National Pasta Day

Many historians credit Marco Polo with introducing pasta to Italy after discovering it on his travels to China in 1271. However, records suggest that pasta was already a staple in Italy long before Marco Polo returned from the Far East. For instance, in 1279, an Italian named Ponzio Bastone mentioned a bin filled with macaroni in his will, bequeathing it to his heirs. Additionally, ancient Romans were already making a form of pasta using flour and water, further debunking the myth that pasta originated from Polo's travels.

Pasta made its way to North America thanks to Thomas Jefferson. During his time in Europe as the American Ambassador to France, Jefferson likely visited Naples, where he first tasted pasta. When he returned to America in 1789, he brought back crates of macaroni and a pasta-making machine. However, pasta didn't become widely available in North America until the 19th century, when a wave of Italian immigrants arrived, bringing with them the tradition of dried pasta and commercializing its production.

One of the early pasta manufacturers in North America was the Canelli family, who migrated from Italy in 1845. By 1867, they were selling pasta on the streets of Montreal, helping to establish pasta as a household staple across the continent.

Pasta's popularity stems from its versatility and ease of preparation. With just a few pantry staples like olive oil, onion, garlic, basil, and tomato, you can whip up a quick and delicious sauce. Pasta’s neutral flavor allows it to pair perfectly with almost anything, meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, cream, cheese, the possibilities are endless.

Moreover, pasta is the ultimate family meal, as it can be made in large quantities and has a comforting quality that brings people together.

Top 5 Popular Pasta Dishes

Spaghetti Carbonara: This classic Italian dish features spaghetti tossed with a creamy sauce made from eggs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, pancetta, and black pepper.
Fettuccine Alfredo: Fettuccine noodles are coated in a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese, often garnished with parsley.
Linguine with Clam Sauce: Linguine pasta is typically served with a savory sauce made from fresh or canned clams, white wine, garlic, red pepper flakes, and parsley.
Penne alla Vodka: Penne pasta is paired with a creamy tomato-based sauce infused with vodka, onions, and garlic, and often finished with heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese.
Lasagna: This layered pasta dish features sheets of lasagna noodles stacked with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and often ground meat such as beef or sausage. It's baked until bubbly and golden.

How to Celebrate National Pasta Day

Pasta is always enjoyed best when it is homemade and shared with others. On this day, invite friends and family over and make your favorite pasta dish, or look at the many recipes online for new pasta to try.

If you are a real pasta lover, this is the perfect time to get yourself a pasta-making machine and make fresh pasta. You won't regret it!

Interesting Facts About Pasta

Astronaut John Young took macaroni and cheese to space in 1965, pre-dating the selfie era.
Italy's pasta consumption is remarkably high, with an average of 51 pounds per person per year, celebrating pasta as an artful staple.
Pasta comes in over 600 shapes, each serving a unique purpose in capturing sauces or adding flair to dishes.
Dried pasta's low moisture content allows it to last well beyond its expiration date, becoming a long-lasting pantry item.
"Museum of Pasta" in Rome and "Pasta World Championship Museum" in Tokyo celebrate pasta's cultural significance worldwide.
Pasta shapes like "radiatori" and "orecchiette" come with playful names, while "farfalle" resembles delicate butterflies in a bowl.
Natural ingredients like spinach, beets, and squid ink give pasta vibrant colors, adding a creative twist to classic dishes.
October 25th marks World Pasta Day, a global celebration of this versatile and beloved culinary delight.