Chefs share 5 of the best and 5 of the worst pasta dishes to order

Sophia MitrokostasAug 13, 2020, 22:22 IST

According to one chef, lasagna is often frozen and reheated at restaurants.Shutterstock

Insider asked chefs about the best and worst pasta dishes to get at restaurants.
Gnocchi and fresh ravioli can be tricky to make, chefs said, so ordering them from a restaurant is a good idea.
One chef told Insider that diners may want to skip restaurant lasagna, which is often frozen and reheated.
Sometimes restaurants use stuffed shells to get rid of leftovers, according to another chef.

There are few things more satisfying than a plate piled high with pasta — but some carb-heavy dishes are better than others.

Read on for the best and worst pasta dishes to order at a restaurant, according to professional chefs.

Fresh ravioli are an unmissable pasta treat.

When available, opt for ravioli with seasonal fillings. janosmarton/Shutterstock

Bucatini amatriciana often pairs well with fresh basil. Shutterstock

You may want to check what kind of clams the restaurant uses. Shutterstock

Pasta primavera is often loaded with fresh, seasonal produce. Shutterstock

Gnocchi typically has a potato base. Shutterstock

If you order lasagna, it may not be as fresh as you'd hope. Bernd Juergens/Shutterstock

Alfredo sauce is fairly cheap to make. Shutterstock

The meatballs aren't always made fresh. Royalty-Free / Getty Images

Angel hair pasta is a sort of thin spaghetti. Shutterstock

Sometimes stuffed shells are filled with menu items that aren't selling. Shutterstock