Ziti vs Penne: Differences, Sauce Pairings and More

If one was to make a list of comfort food, pasta would be on the list. Although it is a staple food in most parts of the world, it wasn’t popular a few centuries ago. It was first prepared in Arabia – at least according to some history books – and was later introduced in Italy. The Italians perfected this food and made it more delicious as we know it today. But, ziti vs penne: Which popular pasta type is right for you? Keep on reading to find out!

Penne vs Ziti

Here’s the deal about penne vs ziti.

Penne

Length: 5.4 cm

Width: 1 cm

Wall thickness: 1 mm

Shape: narrow tube with diagonal ends

Ziti

Length: 5.1 cm

Width: 1 cm

Wall thickness: 1.25 cm

Shape: narrow tube with straight ends

Ziti vs Penne Details

Every community has its own way of preparing pasta but the end product looks quite similar. Whatever the pasta shape or name, you’ll easily believe that pasta is pasta. One thing to keep in mind though is the fact that every pasta has a unique preparation process. You cannot interchange the recipes even though they start with similar ingredients.

Another factor to keep a note of is the type of food on which you use the pasta. Similar to the different types of ingredients, every pasta is ideal for a certain type of food. Whichever options choose, you must be aware that the texture and taste of your final product will be greatly affected.

Penne vs Ziti: Let’s figure out which popular pasta type is right for that next dish you’re planning on making!

Ziti vs Penne: Everything you Need to Know

Anyway, we will cover more on the types of pasta in the future. Today, we are going to look at the difference between the two most popular pasta in most households across the world. How do ziti and penne differ from each other? Let’s get down to business!

What are Ziti and Penne?

We will set the ball rolling by defining both of these pasta for those who are not familiar with the two names. As earlier stated, the main difference between various pasta is the type of ingredients used in the cooking process.

All about Ziti

The name ziti originated from the word zita, which translates to a bride. This tube-shaped pasta is usually served in weddings across the Naples. It goes perfectly with light and fresh sauces like tomato sauce and can be added to casserole dishes that have been baked.

All About Penne

What is penne? Also originating from Italy, penne is another type of pasta that you might want to taste. It is a short and thick tubular pasta that has been cut diagonally. Now that you are familiar with the two kinds of pasta, what makes them different from one another?

The Difference Between Ziti and Penne

Ziti and penne are both sweet, but that is not the only thing that makes them look quite similar. At first glance, you might struggle to make out the difference between the two. They are both categorized in the extruded pasta group which comprises of pasta that is pushed out by a pasta machine to form tubular-shaped products.

Here are some of the factors that distinguish the two types;

Cut and Texture

Their physical appearance is perhaps one of the biggest differences between the two types of pasta. Ziti, for one, is cut at square angles is somewhat longer in length. You’ll also realize its tubular formation at first glance because it is emphasized. On the other hand, penne has sharp-angled cuts which are quite distinct from those of ziti.

The cuts are not the only difference as their texture also differ from one another. Penne, for instance, has ridges running down its exterior surface. As such, you may realize that they are quite rough. Of course, you can easily come across other penne with a smooth surface but it is quite rare.

Ziti, on the other hand, has a consistently smooth-textured surface. In fact, it becomes even softer when cooked, unlike penne which remains rigid throughout. Despite their physical difference, their flavours are quite similar.

Types of Sauces

Although the flavours can be used interchangeably, the final taste is highly dependent on how the pasta is served. To be precise, it is influenced by the type of sauce with which you decide to serve it. We usually use this as one of the main differences between the two pasta because they are not served with the same sauce.

In your adventures, you may have realized that each pasta has a particular type of sauce that fits perfectly. Thick sauces are the best when your pasta is also thick and vice versa. Ranging from butter, cream, tomato, and oil, you can choose the most ideal option depending on your needs.

As for penne and ziti, their texture blends perfectly with whatever sauce you decide to use. Ziti, as earlier stated, becomes quite smooth and thin when cooked. As such, you’ll need to look for watery or lighter sauces to go with this pasta. Penne, on the other hand, is quite rigid and will need a thicker sauce to go with it.

Conclusion for Ziti vs Penne

In conclusion, penne and ziti are uniquely prepared to serve specific needs. Their properties are what make them stand out in a meal. For instance, penne is quite rigid and that makes it an excellent option for complex-flavoured meals with rough textures. As such, it is usually more versatile than ziti which pairs well with lighter meals.

Nonetheless, both types of pasta are designed to serve you well. You can feast on either of them depending on the meal you are planning to have with your family. We, therefore, recommend that you try both of them out and include them in your daily or weekly menu.

Penne or Ziti FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about ziti or penne. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

Can you substitute penne for ziti?

Ziti is a relatively common pasta type so you should be able to find it in most grocery stores. However, you can also substitute penne if you can’t. Both of these pasta types are great for hearty tomato and meat-based sauces.

How is ziti different than penne?

The main difference between penne and ziti is how the ends are cut. They are similar in length and diameter, but ziti is cut straight while penne has a diagonal cut. Ziti has a more prominent tubular look than penne.

Which pasta is most like Ziti?

The pasta that is most like Ziti is penne which is very easy to find in stores. You can also try mostaccioli or rigatoni. However, rigatoni has much wider tubes.

Why is my baked ziti dry?

If your baked ziti is dry, there are four main reasons:

• Not enough sauce.
• The noodles were overcooked in the boiling water. Aim for barely Al Dente.
• The noodles aren’t all thoroughly coated with sauce.
• It’s baked too long in the oven.

What does ziti pasta look like?

Ziti is a hollow, tubular noodle that is slightly smaller and narrower than rigatoni. Unlike penne, it’s cut straight on the ends. It’s frequently used for saucy and cheesy baked pasta dishes.

What is penne pasta used for?

Penne pasta is most often used dishes with heavy sauces that are meat or tomato-based. It’s not commonly paired with seafood or cream sauces. You can also find penne in pasta salads or for baked pasta dishes.

Have your Say about Penne vs Ziti

What’s your top pick: Ziti or Penne pasta? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think about these kinds of pasta. We’d love to hear from you. Oh, and you may also want to check this out: Linguine vs Fettuccine.

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