Pasta, which means “dough” in Italian, is one of the most popular foods worldwide. The National Pasta Association of Italy says that it is an extremely popular food in 47 countries. The per-person consumption of pasta in these countries each year is an impressive 57 lbs. It is very popular in the US too. Per person, Americans eat more than 20 lb. of pasta per year. The average cost of macaroni and spaghetti is just $1.27 for each pound, which means pasta is affordable for everyone.

Pasta is so popular that it has now become almost a cultural phenomenon. If you are a movie buff, you might have noticed the many pasta moments in popular movies, like The Godfather, Big Night, Lady and The Tramp, Goodfellas, The Apartment, Eat Pray Love, Chaplin’s City Lights, Brooklyn, Elf, and many others.

There are 350 varieties of pasta and more than 600 shapes. It is prepared in so many ways because of local customizations throughout the world. You can have it with meat, fish, veggies, cheese. You can eat pasta as a main meal or a side dish.

In this book, I will introduce you to some delightful pasta recipes worldwide, including many Italian favorites. I will also show you how you make prepare these recipes at home easily.