Ingredients:

Directions:
Throw 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over a medium heat. Add the chicken, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Cook until the chicken is white all the way through. Remove from the skillet and set aside for later. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the fettuccine pasta. Cook for about 10 minutes, then drain. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in the skillet and sauté 2 tablespoons of garlic. Stir in the flour, pepper, and salt and cook for about 2 minutes. Slowly add in the milk and half and half, but be sure to stir constantly. When the sauce turns smooth, add the Parmesan and Colby-Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir until all cheese is melted, then add the chicken mixture and sour cream. Stir well and serve over the fettuccine noodles.

How many types of pasta are there? Well, there are literally hundreds. Technically, pasta is just general term signifying dough made from flour and water. It is somewhat akin to discussing the different type of vehicles on the road. There are a lot of them and a lot of variations. Still, we can break pasta down into four basic groups.

Noodles

Basic thin noodles are the staple that every person knows. For the vast majority of us, noodles were the first form of pasta we were introduced to. How so? One word – spaghetti. Noodles are the form used for spaghetti and we all ate that as kids!

Tube

Tubes are the second most familiar form of pasta for most people. As the name suggests, it comes in long, hollow options. Some are thin, some are thick. Examples of specific types include Rigatoni, Manicotti, Penne, Macaroni and Cavatappi. One of my favorite choices!

Stuffed

Stuffed pasta is known as “gift” food. How so? Each comes with a little surprise inside! It can come in a variety of shapes, but all are filled with anything ranging from cheese to meet to…well, let your imagination run. Examples include Tortellini, Ravioli, and the Russian favorite known as Pelmeni.

Ribbon Noodles

Ribbon noodles are similar to basic noodles, but are made a bit thicker. It may sound like a small change, but the increased girth and texture creates an entirely different eating experience. Examples of ribbon noodles include Fettuccine, Lasagna, Linguine and Tagliatelle.

Wait, what about your favorite pasta? Well, the truth of the matter is there are so many pastas available that mentioning all of them is impossible. Each, however, brings a different texture and taste to the meal you are preparing. The world is your oyster with pasta, so make sure to try a wide range of pasta to find that perfect dish.