Don’t you love a good Italian Restaurant?

All the aromas, welcome atmosphere, and happy people? But have you ever wondered about all the different types of pasta? What is the difference between tortellini and ziti? Vermicelli looks similar to spaghetti, why not call it spaghetti?

There is macaroni, fettucine, penne, gnocchi, rigatoni, and couscous. Ravioli, elbow, penne, shells, and bow ties! That are just a few!

Pairing the right pasta with the appropriate use is just as important as the correct sauce to not only complement the meal, but make it visually appealing. Lasagna made with elbow macaroni would not only be a disaster, but would not hold up to the layers of sauce and ricotta we see in a lasagna dish. Angel Hair pasta is generally paired with lighter sauces and would not be half as appealing with alphabet pasta! There is definitely a pasta to complement every pasta dish and make a big difference to overall satisfaction.

Penne is a great pasta to use in chunkier sauces that are baked.

The texture of penne rigate holds up to chunky meat sauces, and virtually any sauce. There are over 300 different pasta sizes, shapes, and textures that can be used to make a dish go from plan to fabulous. The most popular dishes according to American Pasta Report are spaghetti, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, fettucine, linguine, elbow, pasta salad, and angel hair. Ravioli is a crowd favorite and not sure why that’s not in the list, but doesn’t Lobster Ravioli just make your mouth hungry?

Interestingly, pasta dates back to 1154 in Sicily according to Wikipedia. Some sources say Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy in the 13^th century. The first pasta factory was built in 1848 by a Frenchman in America. Pasta is a noodle made from unleavened dough, or semolina mixed with water and eggs. Pasta can be cooked in a sauce or as a condiment, used in a soup, baked in a dish, or used in salads. Pasta has no sugar naturally and ½ cup of spaghetti is just 99 calories! Pasta is a great source of sustain energy that will turn into glucose-fuel for your brain and muscles. Many athletes pasta load before an event to have sustained slow release of energy. Some individuals have sensitivity to gluten and more restaurants are catering to that specific need.

Let’s talk about the Italian Dishes:

Gnocchi Bolognese-homemade potato pasta with fresh basil in a Chianti Bolognese sauce (meat sauce)

Pasta Primavera-Fresh garden vegetables with homemade pesto sauce on a bed of fresh angel hair pasta

Rigatoni Rosso– Fresh rigatoni pasta, sweet basil, mozzarella cheese, romano cheese with a Bolognese Chiani meat sauce

Spaghetti Carbonara-Thinly sliced prosciutto di Parma, red onions, garlic, romano cream sauce atop fresh spaghetti

Penne Arrabbiata-Penne pasta tossed with organic virgin garlic olive oil, fresh chili pepper, and Russo’s marinara sauce

Baked Ziti-penne pasta, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, pecorino romano, sweet basil, with homemade marinera sauce

Lasagna-fresh pasta layered with beef, Italian cheeses, and Chianti braised meat sauce.

Pasta di Mare-Fresh shrimp, clams, mussels, and calamari swirled together in a spicy Pinot Grigio marinara sauce, served over fresh spaghetti.

 Are you hungry for some good Italian food?

Russo’s NY Pizzeria has these dishes listed and many more salads, sandwiches, soups, calzones, and even dishes with kale and gluten free alternatives. Of course pizza in many varieties, specialty pizzas, 28” Party Pizza’s are always a favorite! We specialize in Italian, so give us a try and Mangia Bene!

3 Great Locations!

Conroe                                                                      The Woodlands

3915 W. Davis                                                           3335 College Park Dr

Conroe, 77304                                                           The Woodlands, 77384

(in the HEB Shopping Center)                                   (across from Lone Star College)

www.Facebook.com/RussosConroe                          www.Facebook.com/RussosTheWoodlands

Twitter@RussosConroe                                             Twitter@RussosPizzeria

936.539.5900                                                             936.273.6060

Spring/Tomball

                                                         24230 Kuykendahl Rd

Tomball, 77375

(Spring Marketplace Shopping Center)

www.Facebook.com/RussosSpring

Twitter@RussosSpring

832.693.6500

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