pasta [3]![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Made from hard wheat semolina and water, shaped into various forms and dried; it is an essential ingredient in Italian cooking that is bought ready-made.
tortellini ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Pasta stuffed with meat or cheese and sometimes colored with tomato or spinach; it is delicious with tomato or cream sauce.
spinach tagliatelle ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Flat ribbonlike pasta made with spinach and eggs, traditionally served with meat sauce.
gnocchi ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Often made from a potato or semolina dough with eggs and cheese; it is usually served au gratin, as an appetizer.
lasagna ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
These wide strips, green if spinach-flavored, are combined with a filling in alternate layers to create the eponymous dish.
ravioli ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Pasta stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables; a classic way to serve it is with tomato sauce, sprinkled with grated Parmesan.