Nearly half of adults believe eating pasta without a sauce is 'a crime,' a survey shows.
And 44 per cent have fired shots at plain pasta eaters, describing them as boring.
Other pasta “sins” included not salting the water enough (31 per cent), overcooking it until mushy (27 per cent), and serving it on a cold plate (24 per cent).
With nine per cent believing it's downright wrong to add ketchup to your carbs.
Released to mark World Pasta Day, the research of 2,000 adults who eat such dishes was commissioned by Dolmio.
To coincide with the occasion the brand has unveiled a gallery of cheeky images featuring pasta “creatively photographed to resemble body parts” by photographer Sophie Harris-Taylor.
The shots aim to show “pasta is meant to be saucy, never bare” after it emerged more than half of adults have eaten entirely plain pasta dishes.
Spokesperson for the sauce maker, Hana Hutchinson, said: “Britain’s pasta plates are a celebration of cultures and trends from around the world.
“We’re seeing huge demand for sauces that deliver both convenience and exciting, globally-inspired flavours.”
With 39 per cent keen to shake things up when it comes to their meals, the research found the likes of TikTok and Instagram are influencing pasta eating habits.
More than one in 10 (13 per cent) have tried a new sauce after seeing one social media, while 12 per cent aspire to add cottage cheese to their pasta for the same reason.
After pistachio went viral, eight per cent also intend to introduce the nut to a dish in the near future.
Even the cola and pickle trend has extended to the Italian food with 10 per cent pairing pickles with their pasta.
Away from social media, 38 per cent have broken with tradition by enjoying Bolognese with penne rather than spaghetti.
While 31 per cent have served it with a jacket potato, 19 per cent with chips, and 11 per cent with just garlic bread and no pasta at all.
And such ‘controversial’ moves might explain why 20 per cent have gotten into an argument over the rights and wrongs of pasta.
But despite many pasta fans looking for new ways to enjoy the dish, classic recipes continue to reign supreme.
Bolognese remains the nation’s top pasta sauce (47 per cent), followed by carbonara (25 per cent) and tomato and basil (21 per cent).
While the research carried out through OnePoll saw spaghetti (51 per cent), penne (41 per cent), and fusilli (37 per cent) emerge as the most popular shapes.
And garlic bread (67 per cent) and salad (52 per cent) are the go-to sides.
Hana Hutchinson, for Dolmio, added: “We’re excited by the way consumers are mixing tradition with the latest viral sensations.
“And that spirit of exploration is providing ‘food for thought’ ahead of our next product innovations.”
TOP 10 PASTA ACCOMPANIMENTS FANS WANT TO TRY IN 2026
1. Wild mushroom
2. Black garlic
3. Cottage cheese
4. Avocado
5. Truffle
6. Hot honey
7. Pumpkin
8. Pistachios
9. Kimchi
10. Nduja
