7 Pasta Rules Italians Live By

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2Pasta Is a First Course, Not a Main

In traditional Italian meals, pasta is not the main dish — it’s the primo, or first course, usually served before a meat or fish second course (secondo). That’s why portion sizes in Italy are often smaller than in other countries.

Italians eat pasta frequently — often daily — but not in giant, gut-busting servings. The focus is on quality, not quantity. So if you’re wondering why your Italian host served only a modest portion of tagliatelle, don’t worry — the main course is still coming.