Pasta: the dream of every foodie. It’s versatile, comforting, and downright irresistible.
Are you hunting down the best pasta in Perth?
That’s a mission that leaves even the most seasoned carb-lover scratching their head. From delicate hand-rolled tagliatelle to stuffed pillows of ravioli. The options are endless and the cravings are real.
Enter Pizzeria House of Vegetarians, where pasta dreams come true. We prepared a detailed guide to make you go through every type of pasta you can find in Perth. And quick hacks to check the quality of it.
We dish up the flavourful plates of pasta and other fresh vegetarian delights. Whether you’re a die-hard marinara fan or want some creamy Alfredo. Our plant-based creations celebrate everything you love about pasta.
Let’s unravel Perth’s pasta paradise, one delicious shape at a time.
Different Types of Pasta You Can Find in Perth
With the increasing number of Italian restaurants and cafes. There’s no shortage left of pasta choices in Perth.
Italy has created many shapes and styles of pasta with different dishes & applications in mind. From traditional filled pasta to hand-rolled varieties. Each one has its own taste and significance.
Let’s go through them one by one.
1. Filled Pasta
Filled pasta varieties are a crowd-pleaser. They soak up all the taste of broth in their shape and offer bursts of flavour in every bite.
- Tortellini: They are filled with cheese or broth and presented with creamy sauces.
- Scarpinocc: These crescent-shaped pillows are best with silky fillings like butter and sage.
- Ravioli: One of the first and most classic pasta types. Ravioli works well with tomato, pesto, or even nutty browned butter.
- Agnolotti del Plin: Thin, hand-pinched pasta parcels filled with veggies. They go with a light herb sauce and hold it well.
2. Hand-Rolled Pasta
Classic options always carry an unmatched charm with them. So is the case with hand-rolled pasta. It captures the flavours of tradition in every strand.
- Maltagliati: Irregularly shaped pieces originally from offcuts of other pasta. They pair with rich and chunky sauces.
- Cavatelli: Their small shell-like shapes are perfect for absorbing sauce or gravy. They go with garlic and olive oil-based sauces.
- Tajarin: These thin ribbons of egg-yolk-based pasta are similar to fettuccine. Truffle or mushroom sauces are used with them.
- Pici: A Tuscan favourite that can hold up any thick sauce. This playful, hearty pasta pairs well with vegetarian ragùs.
- Farfalle: Bow-tie pasta made from a thin laminated egg dough. It complements creamy or tomato-based sauces.
3. Extruded Pasta Shapes
These are fusion varieties that are pressed through a mould for precise shapes. They take dough of 2-3 pasta pieces & have extra texture.
- Conchiglie: It varies in size, from spoon to palm-sized cupping. Their shells hold chunky sauces or melted cheese perfectly.
- Mafaldine: Ribbon-like pasta with ruffled edges for creamy sauces. They suit anything from a carbonara to seafood.
- Gigli: With industrialisation of pasta making, these flower-shapes are invented. They are served with vegetable-based sauces.
Top 10 Delicious Pasta Options with Sauces and Pairings
Among the sea full of shapes and varieties. Few ones stand out due to their appeal to different tastes. Let’s get to know them with their ideal culinary companions.
1. Spaghetti
Spaghetti is the quintessential pasta and a versatile favourite. It’s an excellent base for vegetarian marinara with slow-cooked tomatoes, garlic, and basil.
- Sauces: For a lighter option, spaghetti pairs with olive oil, chilli flakes, and roasted vegetables. Or you can try a creamy Alfredo sauce with plant-based cream for richness.
- Food Pairings: Complement spaghetti with sautéed mushrooms, roasted cherry tomatoes, or a side of garlic bread.
2. Penne
The ridged surface of penne makes it a star for capturing sauce in every bite. It is also widely cooked with different variations.
- Sauces: Penne excels in thicker, chunkier sauces like arrabbiata. It’s also ideal for creamy, vegetable-based sauces like roasted red pepper Alfredo.
- Food Pairings: Pair penne with baked dishes like veggie-loaded casseroles. Or top it with grilled zucchini and eggplant.
3. Conchiglie and Orecchiette
Orecchiette, known for its “little ear” shape, is a small-sized variety. Its shell-like shape is perfect for holding thick sauces and other ingredients.
- Sauces: Conchiglie pairs fantastically with a thick broccoli sauce or a vegan sausage ragu. is traditionally served with sautéed greens and garlic in a light olive oil base.
- Food Pairings: Add a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs and Parmesan-style shreds.
4. Linguine
Linguine, a thinner and flatter cousin of spaghetti, is perfect for delicate sauces. its flattened shape holds more and lies more luxuriously on the plate.
- Sauces: It goes with vegetarian seafood-style sauces. Like lemon-butter garlic with capers or a classic pesto made from fresh basil.
- Food Pairings: Serve linguine with grilled asparagus or steamed artichokes for a complete meal.
5. Bucatini
Bucatini is another spaghetti with a hollow centre, offering an extra delightful chew. It also means that the gravy will stay entrapped in the noodles.
- Sauces: This pasta pairs with tomato-based sauces like al’arrabbiata. Or a vegetarian amatriciana of smoked paprika and caramelised onions also works.
- Food Pairings: Roasted bell peppers or sautéed kale complement its hearty structure.
6. Spirali and Fusilli
These twisted corkscrew shapes can enhance your cravings. Fusilli has a little tighter structure, but both have more or less the same taste.
- Sauces: They hold creamy sauces like a vegan Alfredo or a cashew-based spinach sauce. You can also pair them with roasted capsicum and zucchini.
- Food Pairings: Pasta salads with olives, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
7. Farfalle
Known as bow-tie pasta, farfalle is both playful and versatile. It is shaped like butterflies with the crinkly wings holding sauces.
- Sauces: Farfalle is great with tomato-cream sauces with thyme and oregano. It also pairs with a tangy sun-dried tomato pesto.
- Food Pairings: Serve it with a fresh salad of arugula, roasted vegetables, and a lemon vinaigrette.
8. Macaroni
A staple for comfort food in tiny tube shapes. Macaroni is modest, and unfancy but is equally beloved in almost all cultures.
- Sauces: Macaroni is the foundation of creamy, cheesy dishes like mac and cheese. It also works in baked casseroles with layers of tomato sauce and sautéed greens.
- Food Pairings: Pair macaroni with a side of steamed broccoli or roasted cauliflower for a balanced taste.
9. Lasagne
Layered pasta sheets create one of the most iconic pasta dishes. In the traditional form, meat-free version or crispy style. It is loved all around the globe.
- Sauces: Lasagne pairs with a hearty tomato sauce and vegan ricotta. Layered with roasted vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach. You can add a creamy béchamel also.
- Food Pairings: Serve lasagne with a crisp green salad and balsamic coating.
10. Ravioli
A small sheet piece of pasta folded around a stuffing and pinched to make a delicate parcel. This stuffing can be anything you want. Like meat, veg, fish or cheese.
- Sauces: Ravioli works best with delicate sauces that highlight its fillings. A brown butter sauce is a classic choice. While a light tomato or garlic sauce complements spinach or pumpkin-stuffed ravioli.
- Food Pairings: Serve ravioli with roasted root vegetables or a fresh tomato and basil salad.
If you have finalised the variety of your choice. Let’s know some additional factors to consider.
Characteristics to Look for While Buying Pasta
If you select the perfect variety in a poor quality. Then our mission to find the best pasta in Perth will be failed. Here are the key characteristics to check in a pasta.
1. Colour
The colour of pasta tells you a lot about its quality. Look for a natural golden hue that indicates premium wheat and traditional production methods.
Overly bright yellow or pale white pasta show artificial additives or low-quality flour.
Pro Tip: When buying flavoured or coloured pasta, choose natural colourings only.
2. Texture
The surface of your pasta also tells a story.
High-quality dried pasta should feel slightly rough. This roughness helps sauces to cling and make every bite flavourful.
If it feels smooth or plasticky. It is mass-produced with Teflon dies, leading to a slippery, sauce-repelling surface.
Pro Tip: Give it a light touch to test the texture before buying.
3. Smell
Yes, even dried pasta should have a pleasant aroma. Because aroma indicates flavour.
A faint, nutty smell at opening the package that hints the natural goodness of wheat. Whereas, a chemical-like smell indicates additives.
Absence of aroma means the pasta is over-processed.
Pro Tip: For an organic pasta, the smell should reflect its ingredients.
4. Starchiness
The starch level in pasta has a huge role in cooking and sauce absorption.
It should release just the right amount of starch during cooking. To thicken the sauces without becoming gluey.
Excessively starchy pasta will turn the water cloudy and create a sticky, clumpy mess.
Pro Tip: Observe the water while cooking. A light cloudy appearance is normal though.
5. Holding the Shape – Al Dente
Perfectly cooked pasta retains its shape and has a slight bite or al dente in Italian.
Durum wheat pasta is firm and maintains its structure even after boiling. This resilience is needed for dishes with heavier sauces.
While lower-quality pasta tends to turn mushy quickly, ruining both texture and taste.
Pro Tip: Test a piece during cooking. It should have a firm bite without feeling raw.
6. Wheat Quality
Being its sole ingredient, quality of wheat decides the taste of pasta.
If pasta is made from 100% durum wheat. It has the right amount of protein for elasticity and strength. Means it cooks evenly and holds up to rich sauces.
On the other hand, softer kinds of wheat lack structure. Leading to a mushy and unappetising dish.
Pro Tip: Check the label and look for words like “durum wheat” or “semolina”.
Craving Pasta but Don’t Want to Cook?
Taste the Best Pasta in Perth at Pizzeria House of Vegetarians
Let us do the work! Our pasta experts have created a menu that celebrates variety, from our vegan Alfredo to creamy pesto.
Visit Pizzeria House of Vegetarians to try out the best pasta in Perth. Our dishes celebrate the incredible versatility of vegetarian cuisine. With a commitment to quality, flavour, and fresh ingredients. We’re here to make your pasta dreams come true.