Why Are There So Many Types of Pasta?

Pasta Night at The Greens at Irem | A Top Restaurant Near Wilkes-Barre, PA

If you’re searching for restaurants near Wilkes-Barre, PA that offer something unique during the week, Pasta Night is officially back at The Greens at Irem. And it’s quickly becoming a local favorite. Every Wednesday from 4PM – 9PM, guests enjoy customizable pasta dishes, tableside preparation, and classic Italian flavors. Why are there so many kinds of pasta – and does the shape really change how it tastes?

Pasta is more than just comfort food. With hundreds of shapes and styles, each noodle tells a story. Let’s explore.

Why Pasta Comes in So Many Shapes and Names

Italy is home to more than 300 pasta shapes, many created centuries ago based on region, tradition, and available ingredients. Southern Italy, known for durum wheat, produced dried pastas like spaghetti, linguine, and penne. Northern regions favored egg-based pastas such as fettuccine and tagliatelle.

Pasta names often reflect:

• The shape or size of the noodle
• The method of preparation
• The region where it originated

These differences weren’t accidental. Pasta shapes were intentionally designed to pair with specific sauces, making every dish more flavorful.

Does Pasta Shape Really Affect Taste?

While most pasta is made from similar ingredients, shape plays a major role in texture, sauce coverage, and overall flavor.

• Spaghetti and linguine are perfect for smooth sauces like Marinara or Vodka, allowing the sauce to coat each strand evenly.
• Fettuccine, wide and flat, works best with creamy sauces such as Alfredo.
• Penne captures sauce inside its ridges and tubes, delivering bold flavor in every bite.
• Bucatini, one of the highlights of Pasta Night at The Greens at Irem, features a hollow center that holds sauce inside the noodle itself.

Guests can enjoy our Tableside Chef-Prepared Bucatini Cacio e Pepe in a Pecorino Wheel for $16, a dish that’s become a must-try for anyone looking for Italian food near Wilkes-Barre.

Create Your Own Pasta Night Experience

Our Create Your Own Pasta Dish for $14 lets guests personalize their meal from start to finish. Choose your pasta shape, pair it with a classic or specialty sauce, and finish with premium toppings.

Sauce options include Marinara, Alfredo, Vodka Sauce, Old World style, Fra Diavolo, and spicy Amatriciana (additional $3).

Enhance your dish with:

• Chef’s Meatballs or Sausage – $5
• Natural Chicken Breast – $7
• Colossal Shrimp – $11
• Lobster Tail – half $15 | whole $30

This level of customization is why guests consider The Greens at Irem one of the best restaurants in the Wilkes-Barre area for pasta and Italian-inspired dining.

A Local Favorite for Pasta Night

Whether you’re planning a midweek dinner, meeting friends, or searching for great restaurants near me, Pasta Night at The Greens at Irem delivers quality, value, and atmosphere. It’s a weekly tradition that combines timeless Italian comfort with a modern dining experience.

Remember, The Greens at Irem is open to the public! We welcome walk-ins, but if you would like to make a reservation – you can do so here!