A sort of werid question about these noodles...?

Question

Ok, between penne noodles and normal spaghetti noodles...
1) which is healthier
2) which has less calories
3) which looks like more when you dish it on your plate
??????????

Answer 1

If they were both made from refined flour (instead of whole wheat flour), then they should be the same nutritionally and have the same calories *by weight* (though a single penne noodle will weigh more than a single spaghetti noodle).
(Egg noodles like the long, wavy ones, also contain egg, so more nutrition and more calories there).

However, I find that penne noodles seem to fill me up more than spaghetti noodles (though I haven't actually compared them by weight, to be honest). They seem a lot "chewier" and denser than spaghetti noodles, even if spaghetti noodles have ben cooked al dente or home made (which are also chewier).

All noodles are the shape they are because they function well for certain types of sauces and applications... some may hold onto certain types of sauces, chunks in sauces, or meats/poultry better when speared or twirled. . . . not generally because they're made of different things.

(Of course, other "noodles" may be made from rice, or other grains as well as wheat, so they may differ quite a bit in calories, filling power, etc.)


Diane B.

Answer 2

They are both made of the same stuff- just different shapes. You can buy whole wheat or flavored noodles like spinach- they might be healthier.
I have found that if you are serving a heavy sauce, the penne works better or some other larger noodle.

Answer 3

If they are the same brand of pasta then they have the same healthiness and calories (read the side of the box)

I think penne looks like more.

Answer 4

Whole wheat is gonna be healthier. Calories, I don't know. And what kinda dish are you making? Just regular red sauce, alfredo sauce or in a casserole?

Answer 5

Both are made from the same ingredients, so health and calories are the same.

Penne would have more volume on the plate.