Survey Says New Jersey’s Go-To Pasta Isn’t America’s Favorite

While most people associate Pasta with Italian cuisine, the reality is that it is a versatile food that is utilized in many cultures and has been used in the United States for over 200 years.

The first pasta maker in North America was Thomas Jefferson, who brought the first macaroni maker to the United States in 1789. The future President of the United States was a lover of French and Italian Cuisine, so he wanted to bring some of that variety of food to the new nation.

While Jefferson's designs and operating instructions for pasta-making machines can be found at the Library of Congress, it took almost 200 years for Pasta to reach the level of popularity it has today. Thanks to the influx of Italian immigrants starting restaurants in the United States, interest in Pasta has increased over the last 50 years.

Today, approximately 77 percent of Americans consume pasta at least once per week, and 33 percent eat pasta three times per week. The research team at Inspired Taste set out to find out what the most popular pasta is in the United States.

New Jersey's Favorite Pasta Is Different Than Most Americans

According to a Press Release from Inspired Taste, their research team surveyed thousands of Americans in each state and found that the most popular Pasta choice in the United States is Spaghetti.

Overall, 26 percent of Americans say Spaghetti is their favorite pasta choice, and 20 states choose this as their go-to choice for pasta. But New Jersey is one of 18 states to says another pasta is their favorite.

Their survey found 35 percent of New Jersey residents say that Penne is their favorite pasta, and NJ's go-to pasta dish is Penne Alla Vodka. 19 other states say that Alfredo is their go-to pasta dish.

Here Is The List Of the Most Popular Pasta Choices In America:

1. Spaghetti (20 states)
2. Penne (19 States)
3. Fettuccine (5 States)
4. Rotini (South Dakota and Alaska)
5. Capellini/Angel Hair (Hawaii and New Mexico)
6. Rigatoni (Illinois)
7. Linguine (Nebraska)

Here are some of the best places in New Jersey to get delicious pasta dishes: