World Pasta Day 2025: How Indians Gave The Italian Classic A Desi Twist (image credit: canva/pinterest)
Have you ever tried giving your pasta a desi twist after seeing it on reels? I have, and yes, the kitchen ended up looking like a storm hit it, but the taste? Absolutely worth it! Pasta has its roots in Italy; it travelled far beyond Europe and made its way inside Indian kitchens. From spicy masala macaroni on street corners to keema chicken pasta in restaurants, every pasta dish has bursts of bold flavours with a desi twist.
Every year, October 25th is celebrated by pasta lovers as World Pasta Day. This day highlights the eating of pasta, along with its culinary importance.
Why is World Pasta Day Celebrated?
Pasta has been around for centuries, but the idea of dedicating a special day to it is not quite old. This day was first celebrated in 1995, when 40 pasta experts from different parts of the world came together for what was called the World Pasta Congress. What started as a meeting to honour this versatile dish has now turned into a global celebration. Now every year, people use the day as the perfect excuse to enjoy a big bowl of their favourite pasta. The World Pasta Congress also focuses on highlighting its cultural journey – how it’s made, shared and reimagined across the world.
reels show cheesy Tandoori Pasta, Chatpata Macaroni Salad, and Paneer Pesto Fusilli with a slow-motion effect of cheese pulling (image credit: pinterest)
Italy to Indian Kitchens
When pasta shaped its way to India, it was mostly served in restaurants that served continental food. It was seen as a fancy food. But today it’s no longer just an imported indulgence but everyone’s favourite, and you will find at least one type in people’s kitchens. Eventually, by the late 1990s and early 2000s, people were introduced to the idea of pasta not as a meal that you could only eat in restaurants, but as something that could be easily cooked at home in 20 minutes. Even shelves in grocery stores started stocking various types of pasta, such as penne, macaroni, spaghetti, and fusilli, often alongside packets of ready-made pasta sauces.
Indian restaurants started adapting to local tastes with bold Indian spices. Menus had “pav bhaji flavoured pasta”, “butter masala pasta”, “paneer ball pasta”, and so much more, often garnished with green chillies and coriander. Now it’s not uncommon to see pasta mixed in leftover sabzi or tossed in Maggi masala.
Street Style to Instagram
Street food vendors were among the first to give pasta its “desi style.” You’ve probably seen it in cities or on reels, I know I have — with masala macaroni sizzling on giant tawas, tossed with onions, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of chilli flakes. Some even add soy sauce or ketchup for an extra kick. It’s quick, cheap, and packed with flavour exactly what makes Indian street food so irresistible.
In cities like Delhi’s Hudson Lane or Mumbai’s Carter Road, you’ll often spot college students perched on plastic chairs with steel forks, watching as vendors cook fresh pasta right in front of them, tossing it with butter and masala, all while Bollywood music play in the background.
Now it’s not uncommon to see pasta mixed in leftover sabzi or tossed in Maggi masala (image credit: pinterest)
Then comes Instagram, where you’ve probably seen some of the wildest pasta creations. Influencers and food vloggers share reels of dishes you won’t find anywhere else in the world, showcasing uniquely Indian twists on this Italian classic. Cheesy Tandoori Pasta, Chatpata Macaroni Salad, and Paneer Pesto Fusilli with a slow-motion effect of cheese pulling that will make you want to drop everything and try it.
Search #desipasta on your Insta, and you will see thousands of posts, each showing different ways how Indians have made this Italian dish their own.
Here are a few fun and tasty desi-style pasta recipes.
Keema Pasta Boil pasta in salted water in a large pan until it becomes soft. Drain the water and keep it aside. Meanwhile, heat oil in a pan and cook onion until light brown. Add ginger, garlic and spices. Mix the minced lamb and cook until the oil separates. Add tomato and marinara sauces with little water and cook till it becomes thick. Further add coriander or mint, green chillies, and lemon juice. Mix in the pasta, and if the pasta looks too dry, add a little water. Cook for a few more minutes. Serve with garnished cheese on top.
Manchurian Pasta Boil water in a pan, add pasta, oil, and salt, and cook until the pasta is soft. Take another bowl, and mix cornflour, black pepper, salt and red chilli powder with water to make a thin batter. Add the boiled pasta in the batter and coat it well. Now take a pan, heat some oil, add garlic, onions and chillies and fry until the onions turn a little brown. Add cabbage and cook until soft. Add fried pasta, chilli sauce, soy sauce, Schezwan sauce and tomato salt. Before serving, garnish with sesame seeds.
Search #desipasta on your Insta, and you will see thousands of posts (image credit:canva)
Butter Chicken Pasta Marinate the chicken for 4 to 6 hours. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add chicken and cook for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, melt butter, add cumin seeds, and let it sizzle. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and salt, and let it cook until it turns golden brown. Mix in kasuri methi, coriander powder, and garam masala and let it cook for 3-4 minutes. Next add cashew powder and chicken pieces. Cover and cook on low for 10 minutes. Add boiled pasta, toss it well and serve hot.
This article has been written by Khushi Sukhija.
Dining and Cooking