Italian cuisine offers some of the finest dishes you could find on any menu. From fine-dining options in some of the swankiest restaurants in town, to warm, comforting meals you enjoy with your loved ones at home, there is something for everyone to love with these authentic recipes.
And when the conversation about Italian food circulates, two of the most quintessential meals spring to mind: pasta or lasagne.
Each comes with its own cooking and preparation style, yet share many of the same common ingredients. As such, our team at The Gateway have decided to review lasagne vs pasta, taking a look at their similarities and differences, and providing enough information to help you decide between the two on your next visit to our bistro!
What is Pasta?
Pasta is a type of food made from dough that is usually cooked in water or milk, but can also be baked, fried, or even grilled. It can be made from different types of flour, including wheat, rice, and corn, and is truly a staple food in many parts of the world. The pasta dough itself is extruded through a die to create different shapes and variations, with the most popular options including spaghetti, macaroni, and fusilli.
This initial potential in the preparation makes pasta an incredibly versatile food that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be served with sauce, vegetables, meat, or seafood, or even used in soups, salads, and casseroles.
While eating it in vast quantities can leave us feeling incredibly full, pasta is actually a fairly healthy food that is low in calories and fat. It is also a good source of complex carbohydrates, which are important for energy production, as well as fibre, which helps to promote digestive health.
Today, there are more than 600 types of pasta to enjoy, with new variations and recipes being created every day!
What is Lasagne?
Lasagne is actually a form of pasta itself. It is a traditional Italian dish made with layers of pasta, meat or vegetables, and cheese, typically served with a tomato-based sauce. Lasagne can even be made with different types of pasta, including traditional pasta sheets, fresh egg noodles, penne, or even ravioli. The dish can also be made using gluten-free or whole wheat pasta for those with dietary restrictions. The most common fillings for lasagne are beef, pork, spinach and ricotta, mozzarella or bechamel cheese, but there are many other possible combinations. To create these saucy, cheesy delights, lasagne is usually baked in an oven, though it can also be cooked on the stovetop.
Whether you’re looking for a classic lasagne recipe or something new to try, there are endless possibilities when it comes to this versatile dish.
Lasagne vs Pasta: What are the Similarities?
As mentioned above, lasagne can actually be classified as a version of pasta (if the chef hasn’t been too experimental with their recipe), so there are several similarities between the two, such as the use of the same dough. Lasagne is most often prepared with either sheets of pasta dough, or by using a selection of ribbons.
You will also find that these are beloved staples in the Italian food culture scene, served in restaurants and homes across the nation, and expanding worldwide for others to experience the joys of the cuisine.
What’s more, each dish can be served with a variety of delicious sauces that perfectly complement the pasta, based on the content of meat, tomatoes, pesto, vegetables and cheese.
Pasta or Lasagne: What are the Differences?
If we now consider how other pasta dishes differ from lasagne, we can start to look at the distinct characteristics of each. For example, while both meals may use pasta dough, the sheets used in lasagne will rarely be found elsewhere, as pasta dishes typically prefer various other shapes, including cords and tubes. The sheets are also quite a bit thicker than the other pasta alternatives.
Enjoy the Best Pasta or Lasagne in Mildura at The Gateway Tavern’s Family Bistro
Whatever your preferences, when you visit our family bistro at The Gateway, you simply have to try our pasta dishes. Carbonara, risotto, gnocchi, lasagne – if it’s pasta you’re craving, we have it ready for you alongside a generous community atmosphere in the heart of Mildura. Open 7-days a week, 11 am to 9 pm, we look forward to hosting you!
For more information or to book, contact us today by calling (03) 5021 3288 or submitting an online enquiry.
