Are Pasta and Noodles the Same? And Are They Vegan? We’ve Got the Lowdown

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byMarla Rose

February 26, 2023

From thick udon in Japan to macaroni and cheese in the US to baby fine capellini in Italy, beloved pasta and noodle dishes can be found all over the world. But is pasta actually vegan? And are noodles and pasta the same thing? Here’s everything you need to know.

The terms “pasta” and “noodles” are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things. Pasta is generally defined as a product made with a dough of durum wheat and water and is derived from the word paste, referring to the unleavened dough that is formed into dozens of shapes.

Noodles of Asian origin can be made with different kinds of flour, such as whole wheat or buckwheat, as well as gluten-free varieties made with rice, sweet potato starch, and shirataki made from the konjac plant.

While they are celebrated the world over, the first recorded noodles—estimated to be 4,000 years old—were found in northwestern China. Because they are so close in taste and texture, many believe that it was from these noodles that the Italian classic, pasta, was created. But a number of historians maintain this isn’t actually true.

Ashley McLaughlin

“Noodles are one thing, pasta is another food altogether,” the food historian Anna Maria Pellegrino told Today. “They reflect two separate culinary cultures and identities that have developed in parallel, the only conjunction being the need for nourishment and, above all, to share around the same table feelings and everyday life events.”

“The way they are cooked, the pots, the types of cereals used, the preparation, ingredients, and toppings are completely different and specific to each civilization,” she added. Another food historian, Giorgio Franchetti, agreed, calling the idea that noodles and pasta were related “pure nonsense.”

Franchetti noted that, long before Venetian explorer Marco Polo traveled to Asia and brought noodles back home with him (one of the long-held myths around pasta’s introduction to Italy), research suggests ancient Greeks and Romans cooked with flat pasta sheets called laganons.

But enough about history, and on to the important part: can vegans eat pasta and noodles? The answer is: sometimes.

Jessica Randhawa

European-style pasta and Asian noodles can be made with eggs in the dough, which is usually the only animal product used. When shopping at the grocery store for Italian pasta, note that most brands of fresh, refrigerated pasta have eggs in them unless otherwise noted. While boxed, dried pasta is less likely to have egg in it than fresh, it is still a good idea to check the ingredients label.

Also note that when dining at Italian restaurants with fresh pasta, it is likely the dough contains eggs. So, unless you know otherwise, ask your server. With Asian noodles, be aware that wonton, chow mein, and lo mein noodles often contain eggs.

When it comes to pasta, there are so many different types to explore. In fact, it comes in at least 350 different shapes! It can be short, it can be long, it can be stretched, it can be filled, and it can even be mixed with potatoes and flour to make gnocchi! Here’s a little bit more about some of the most delicious varieties you can find on store shelves today.

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Spaghetti, which comes from the Italian word spaghetto (which means “thin string”), hails from Sicily. It consists of long, thin strands of durum wheat pasta. But it can also be made gluten-free with rice or bean-based noodles.

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Popular in Rome and Tuscany, fettucini is long like spaghetti, but the noodles are flatter and thicker and look more like ribbons. They’re usually paired with cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese to form the dish “fettuccine alfredo.”

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Linguini is similar to spaghetti, but it comes from the Liguria region in Italy. It’s a little wider than spaghetti but also thinner than fettuccine, and it’s perfect for twirling around your plant-based meatballs.

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As the name suggests, tubular pastas are shaped like little tubes. Rigatoni, cannelloni, penne, and ziti are examples of pasta that are hollow through the middle. These hold up well to heavy sauces and lighter dairy-free cream sauces, too.

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Circular stuffed pasta, tortellini, which comes from Italy’s Emilia region, usually contains ricotta cheese, but it can also contain prosciutto or pork meat. For that reason, it’s not usually vegan, but there are plant-based versions available. Or you can make your own, following this vegan cheese tortellini recipe!

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Similar to tortellini, ravioli also comes from the north of Italy. But it’s not exactly the same thing. Ravioli has more of a dumpling-like appearance and texture, and it’s usually more square-shaped too.

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While it’s usually served with a cheesy sauce to form the American favorite “mac & cheese,” macaroni actually likely comes from the Campania region of Italy. It consists of small tubes of dry shaped pasta, which are either straight or slightly curved.

As we’ve established already, food historians are very clear that noodles and pasta developed separately from each other, so they’re not the same thing. But noodles are still just as delicious and versatile in their own right. Plus, we’ve also included dumplings on this list, because they have a similar taste and texture to the Italian classic, ravioli.

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Chinese-style wheat noodles are traditionally made with kansui, a type of alkaline mineral water. Add them to ramen, of course, but they’re delicious anywhere you want to use them.

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These thick, soft wheat noodles originated in Japan. These can often be in ramen and other Asian dishes.

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Varying from very thin to very thick, these naturally gluten-free noodles are common in Asian cuisines.

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Cuisines around the world have their own dumplings, which are dough and often wrapped around fillings, like potatoes, vegetables, and tofu. This can be Italian ravioli, Polish pierogies, and, of course, Asian dumplings of all kinds.

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Made with konjac yam starch, these noodles are thick and opaque, and often served like rice noodles.

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A nutty, darker-hued noodle, soba is made with buckwheat (a seed) and is naturally gluten-free.

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Also known as cellophane, these clear, thin noodles are made with starches from sweet potato to mung bean and are naturally gluten-free.

Ready to dig into a bowl of noods or pasta? Start here. These brands all have vegan options. The only question is what will you top your bowl with?

Eden Foods

Try the soba, udon, and whole-grain pasta made with US-grown, organic grains. Enjoy Eden Foods’ 100% Buckwheat Soba with soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, scallions, and seared tofu for a filling meal.Check it out

Colavita

This global brand based in Italy only sells pasta without eggs or other animal products. Colavita’s Pappardelle Nest Pasta tossed with a vegan pesto is the definition of comfort food.Check it out

Tinkyada

Tinkyada makes 18 varieties of Italian-style dried pasta, all gluten-free and vegan. Try the Brown Rice Spirals with a marinara sauce, roasted veggies, and fresh basil.Check it out

Barilla

An international brand started in 1912, most of Barilla’s wide variety of pasta is made without animal products, including its gluten-free and Protein+ ranges.Check it out

De Cecco

Widely available in big box stores across the country, all of De Cecco’s wheat-based pasta are plant-based, including the Spinach Fusilli. The high protein range, like the Red Lentil Spaghetti, are as well.Check it out

Whole Foods

Classic pasta varieties like Linguine and Spaghetti are vegan as-is, made with just durum wheat semolina flour. Make your favorite vegan mac and cheese with the Elbow macaroni pasta.Check it out

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s has a full range of organic, conventional, and gluten-free pasta options that are vegan, including the tightly coiled Organic Fusilli Corti Bucati for a fun and unusual shape and the gluten-free Brown Rice Penne, which is perfect for a marinara sauce or vegan pesto.Check it out

Priano

Aldi US’ bronze-cut pasta in forms like Rigatoni, Casarecce, and Conchiglie shells is made without animal ingredients and brings authentic Italian taste at affordable prices.Check it out

Banza

Made with protein-packed chickpeas, Banza’s pasta in Shell, Penne, and Rotini forms is gluten-free, vegan, and sturdy enough to stand up to any sauce.Check it out

Target

Target’s home brand Good & Gather offers a variety of vegan pasta, including Whole Wheat Spaghetti and Rotini.Check it out

Koyo

A maker of exclusively vegan ramen noodles, try the Asian Vegetable or Garlic Pepper for a convenient bowl of flavorful soup.Check it out

Nissin

The name that is synonymous with instant ramen noodles has two vegan flavors, Soy Sauce and Chili.Check it out

Marla Rose is the co-founding partner of VeganStreet.com.

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