A recent study by Inspired Taste has uncovered clear regional differences in Americans’ favorite pasta shapes. The research highlights how pasta preferences vary widely across the country, revealing both popular favorites and surprising outliers.
Spaghetti Tops the List Nationwide
Spaghetti emerged as the most popular pasta shape in the United States, receiving 26% of the overall vote. It was the favorite in 20 states, with Mississippi showing the strongest loyalty—55% of residents there preferred spaghetti, the highest percentage for any pasta type in a single state.
Penne Close Behind
Penne was a close second, earning 25% of the vote and leading in 17 states. It is especially popular in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington and Oregon. Joanne Gallagher, recipe creator and co-founder of Inspired Taste, told Fox News Digital, “What surprised me most was how close the race was between spaghetti and penne, with only a 1% difference. It shows how deeply people care about their pasta choices.”
Other Pasta Preferences Across States
- Fettuccine leads in California, favored by 33% of residents.
- Angel hair pasta (capellini) is the top choice only in Hawaii and New Mexico.
- Rotini, a twisted pasta shape, is preferred in South Dakota, Alaska, and Montana.
- Elbows, despite being the fourth most popular pasta nationally, were not the favorite in any state.
Arizona stands out as the biggest penne fan, with half of its residents choosing it as their favorite pasta—more than any other state.
Least-Loved Pasta Shapes
Orzo and angel hair tied as the least popular pastas, with 18% of respondents naming them their least favorite.
Gallagher summed up the findings by saying, “Everyone has a pasta shape that speaks to them, and that’s what makes pasta so fun to cook with.”
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