Noodles vs. Pasta: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to the topic of noodles vs. pasta and their differences or similarities, there’s a lot to talk about. For starters, while both look similar before they’re cooked, both have different origins, one heralding Italy and the other from China. 

What's more, while both have similar makeup in terms of the ingredients used to make them, when comparing noodles vs. pasta, you'll quickly find that there's a whole world of difference in their shapes, varieties and cooking applications. Let's take a closer look and settle the noodles vs. pasta debate once and for all. 

 Jump to Section

• What Is Pasta?
• What Are Noodles?
• What Are the Similarities Between Pasta and Noodles?
• What Is the Difference Between Pasta and Noodles?
• Can I Use Pasta Instead of Noodles?

What Is Pasta? 

When it comes to noodles vs. pasta, it’s important to take a look at what each one actually is. Let’s start with pasta. According to the National Pasta Association, pasta is always made with durum semolina, coarse wheat flour and water. Eggs and salt are often added too. Afterward, the dough is shaped with force either by hand with molds or through a machine and then cooked al dente or dried for later. 

Pasta originated in Italy and is ideal for Italian dishes and sauces. Noodles and pasta vary by region; for example, Northern Italy’s egg-enriched pasta is more yellow, porous and better at absorbing sauce. It's important to consider this when making sauce-based pasta dishes like authentic cacio e pepe.

Talking about noodles vs. pasta means talking about shape. According to the Unione Italiana Food, an Italian association that represents food product categories, there are more than 300 possible pasta shapes. Among the ten most popular ones are fusilli, penne rigate, lasagna and spaghetti. These types have made their way around the world, in dishes like fusilli alla caprese, classic cheesy lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs, just to name a few. 

What Are Noodles? 

Let’s take a look at noodles. When it comes to noodles vs. pasta, noodles are more straightforward in terms of shape. They always come in long, flowing ribbons that vary in thickness. The dough is made with common-wheat flour and water. This wheat keeps the noodles soft. Variations include wheat alternatives like rice, quinoa, beans or buckwheat. Salt is also used to help bind the softer dough together. Sometimes eggs are added. 

Noodles go through a “sheeting” process where they’re rolled flat by a machine and cut into strands. Handmade noodles, especially hand-pulled varieties, replace this step by stretching the noodles out manually. Overall, when comparing noodles vs. pasta, noodles are lighter and more chewy as a result of the ingredients and cooking process. 

Noodles were invented in China around 4000 years ago. Northern Chinese noodles are thicker than in the south. This staple food has spread across the world and is commonly found in Asian, German, Jewish and Turkish cuisine, among others. If you’re thinking about noodles vs. pasta, know that another difference is how many cultural variations there are when it comes to noodles. 

A few common recipes for noodles include lo mein, pan-fried noodles, pad thai, phб»‘, udon, ramen and more. Since noodles can be parboiled, steamed, stir-fried or deep fried as well as simply boiled, the options are endless. Make sure to pair thick and flat noodles with meat, cheese or cream sauces and thinner noodles with savory broths. Let’s look at these possibilities when it comes to egg noodles vs. pasta. 

What Are Egg Noodles? 

When it comes to noodles vs. pasta, egg noodles are a favorite for many. Egg noodles are ribbons of egg and flour-based dough. The name refers to the greater amount of eggs in these noodles. They’re often wide and flat with a yellow hue that comes from the eggs. 

The next time someone asks where egg noodles stand when it comes to noodles vs. pasta, you can confidently say that they’re noodles. Despite the higher egg content, the ingredients and making processes are still noodle-based. 

If you’re deciding between noodles vs. pasta for your next meal, consider whipping up some vegetable lo-mein. Noodle dishes are versatile enough that you can let your creativity run loose or add in leftovers to cook an entirely new meal.

What Are the Similarities Between Pasta and Noodles?  

When it comes to noodles vs. pasta, it makes sense to wonder, "Are pasta and noodles the same thing?" While pasta and noodles might look the same and have similar textures, they’re still two different types of foods. 

If you’re looking at noodles vs. pasta in terms of nutrition, the two are pretty similar because they're made from similar ingredients. They're also fairly similar in terms of taste, due in part to the common ingredients used to make them, and also to the salt that's commonly used. In noodles, salt is used to make them. Pasta is typically cooked with salted water. Once cooked in dishes, the result is fairly similar, despite the differing stages at which the salt is used. 

Another similarity when it comes to noodles vs. pasta is the way they’re made. Both begin as a dough and get kneaded into a specific shape. They can both be dried for later or cooked and eaten fresh. If you want to try the latter, a bowl of fresh phб»‘ or creamy pesto pasta are both great options, depending on your preference between noodles vs. pasta. 

What Is the Difference Between Pasta and Noodles? 

Wondering what's different with noodles vs. pasta? There are actually quite a few differences. Let’s take a deeper look at all the traits that make each of these delicious foods unique and different from each other. 

Ingredients

At the very heart of each of the recipes that create noodles vs. pasta, there’s a difference in the ingredients used. Pasta uses pure durum wheat flour, while noodles can be made with many different kinds of flour. While both use water and eggs, noodles also use salt to bind the dough together. 

Preparation Process

After making the dough, there’s a difference in preparation when it comes to noodles vs. pasta. To achieve their long, ribbon-like shape, noodles are flattened and cut with a machine or pulled long by hand. Sometimes they’re flattened and cut by hand as well. Meanwhile, pasta is made with techniques that turn them into individual shapes.

Taste and Texture

Depending on the ingredients and preparation process, the final taste of both dishes can be different as well. Even before adding toppings, soups or other flavors, cooked noodles are softer while cooked pasta is usually more firm. Both have a slightly salty taste but for different reasons; noodles are made with salt initially, while pasta often has salt added to the water used to cook it. This slight difference adds nuance to the flavor of each dish.

Serving Styles

Because they come from different regions of the world, the local ingredients and methods of those regions affect how they’re served greatly. Pasta is often served with thicker sauces and in some cases, fillings within the pasta itself. There are also pasta soup dishes, usually made with meats and vegetables. In comparison, noodle dishes are traditionally served in hot or cold seasonal broths. They can also be stir-fried or deep-fried. 

These are just the main differences between noodles vs. pasta. With that said, there’s a ton of innovative fusion cuisine happening in today’s international food scene, which melds different traditional cooking styles together and creates new, unexpectedly delicious combinations.

Can You Refer to Pasta as Noodles?

If you’re wondering whether it’s right to refer to pasta as noodles, the short answer is no. When it comes to noodles vs. pasta, the different ingredients, processes and preparation styles create two unique kinds of dishes. In higher-end market countries, there are even strict regulations to qualify, for example, what can be called pasta. In Italy, pasta must be made with 100% durum wheat.  

With that said, in recent years it’s been more common to see pasta made with common wheat which blurs the lines. That said, in essence, these are two different dishes with distinct histories and cooking techniques that come with them. 

To learn more about the nuances of noodles vs. pasta, consider signing up for one of the many cooking classes near you. Learn from an expert about all the ways you can cook either pasta vs. noodles. If you want to do so from your own home, there are also online cooking classes available to enjoy. 

Can I Use Pasta Instead of Noodles? 

Since they’re similar, it is possible to use pasta instead of noodles in certain recipes. When it comes to noodles vs. pasta, keep the differences of taste and texture in mind before making any substitutions. 

Sometimes certain dishes require specific noodles or types of pasta to work, like udon for ramen or macaroni for mac and cheese. This is because their textures, shapes and traditions — tried and true for centuries — are especially effective in the context of these dishes.

With that said, it’s still possible to make substitutions when it comes to noodles vs. pasta. Depending on how much you want to experiment with your recipes, you can try substituting one for the other to create a new experience entirely. Different fusion recipes have worked successfully when it comes to noodles vs. pasta, like Japanese-style pasta which combines classic Japanese ingredients and broths with a pasta base and butter or olive oil.  

So next time you’re wondering about making noodles vs. pasta, feel free to experiment with other types of pasta or noodles in your recipes. You may just discover a new dish entirely!

Can I Use Egg Noodles Instead of Pasta? 

If you’re weighing up egg noodles vs. pasta for your next recipe, then the answer really depends on the recipe and how much you want to experiment with your dish. In the noodles vs. pasta debate, substituting one for the other can be depending on the sauces, soups or other flavors you want to use. When choosing between noodles vs. pasta, feel free to experiment with recipes like these Hakka noodles and see what happens after a substitution.

When it comes to noodles vs. pasta, there's a lot to take in. With both differences and commonalities in ingredients, plus a whole world of different pasta shapes to choose from, these two delicious foods offer plenty of opportunity to experiment with your cooking.

Fortunately, this handy guide to noodles vs. pasta has you covered. Whether you're cooking authentic Italian food or a new take on Asian fusion, knowing the key differences and similarities will help you make the right choice, taking your home cooking game to exciting new heights.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.