Although it's not an official holiday, National Macaroni Day is observed annually on July 7, and we are pasta-tively excited to celebrate!
The invention of pasta is often attributed to the Italians, but many cultures have enjoyed similar foods made from flour and water throughout history. The ancient Etruscans and Greeks had a form of pasta-like dough that they made into various shapes. Historical records suggest that noodles were made in China during the Han Dynasty as early as 2000 BCE.
Thomas Jefferson is credited with popularizing pasta in America. He developed a taste for the dish while serving as the U.S. ambassador to France and Italy, and he even brought back a pasta machine from his travels. As president, Jefferson often served pasta dishes, including macaroni and cheese, at formal dinners at the White House.
We at Macaroni KID are excited to bring you five fun ways to celebrate National Macaroni Day on July 7 — or anytime you need a pasta fix!
1. Start with a giggle.
Q. What do you call fake macaroni?
A. An impasta!
2. Learn different types of pasta shapes.
There are hundreds of different types of pasta worldwide, each with a unique shape, size, and texture. The small elbow-shaped pasta known as macaroni is the most common form in the U.S., thanks to the popularity of macaroni and cheese and pasta salad.
Here are some other widely recognized pasta shapes:
- Spaghetti: Long, thin cylindrical strands of pasta.
- Angel Hair: Thin, delicate strands of pasta, similar to thin spaghetti.
- Linguine: Long, flat, narrow pasta similar to spaghetti but wider.
- Fettuccine: Flat, ribbon-like pasta wider than linguine.
- Penne: Short, tube-shaped pasta with angled ends.
- Rigatoni: Large, ridged, tube-shaped pasta.
- Fusilli: Spiral or corkscrew-shaped pasta.
- Farfalle: Bowtie-shaped pasta with pinched centers.
- Lasagna: Large, flat sheets of pasta often used in layered baked dishes.
- Ravioli: Square or round-shaped pasta filled with various fillings.
- Tortellini: Small, ring-shaped pasta filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
- Orzo: Small, rice-shaped pasta.
- Conchiglie: "Conch" shell-shaped pasta
3. Host a potluck pasta party.
Now that you know so many different types of pasta, invite some friends over for a pasta party. Each family can bring cooked pasta, a sauce, and a mix-in. Mix and match to see how many yummy combinations you can create!
Marinara, bolognese, alfredo, vodka, pomodoro, and pesto sauces all pair well with just about any noodle. Mix-ins could include mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, parmesan, feta, cooked ground beef or turkey, Italian sausage, diced chicken, and fresh basil.
4. Make macaroni crafts.
Because macaroni can be dyed easily, it's perfect for crafting! Create macaroni bracelets and necklaces. Glue macaroni and other pasta pieces onto a plain picture frame to create a unique and textured design. Use a variety of shapes to create a mosaic, collage, or even a macaroni sculpture.
To dye it, put a few handfuls of dry pasta of any shape into a plastic or glass container with a lid or a plastic zipper bag. Add 10-20 drops of food coloring and a squirt of hand sanitizer or a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol. Seal the container and shake it until all the pasta is coated evenly with the food coloring. The kids really love the shaking part!
Let the pasta sit for 15 minutes to absorb the color, then spread it onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Once the pasta is completely dry, create to your heart's content!
5. Talk about the weather.
One of our favorite children's books is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ronald Barrett. Although it's not exactly macaroni-focused, it's a fun and imaginative story that will surely bring on the giggles, whether you read the book or watch the movie.
