DISH IT! : Pasta Places

Pasta is one of those things that comes in various shapes and sizes. You can throw almost anything on a pile of noodles and it'll taste good. To an amateur chef like me, it just keeps me from starving.

Really, you could technically eat pasta every day in a different variation for a month and still try something new. It's cheap, delicious and always fills you up.

Thankfully, local restaurants put more effort into their pasta than I do, that's why I and other local Patch editors throughout the region have highlighted some hot-spots to satisfy your noodle cravings. 

Crofton—The  in the Village at Waugh Chapel has an extensive menu of pasta dishes. There are fresh catch seafood dishes such as shrimp scampi, red snapper livarnese. The signature pasta dishes menu includes: fettuccine alla bolognese, penne puttanesca and tortellini alla rosa. The Gambrills restaurant also features gluten-free menu options. You can order take-out or sitdown. They also offer family-style dining where you can split huge meals together. Crofton’s Joseph Robinson commented on the Italian cuisine at  and ’s in a Crofton Patch Dish It! column. 

Odenton/Severn—There are a number of great places in the Odenton/Severn area with great pasta. But one local favorite is . Italian brothers Rino and Bruno know how to cook a fresh noodle, with great ingredients in their sauce, too. Everyone loves Mamma Roma's pizza, but you can't go wrong with any of their pasta dishes.

Edgewater—After asking south county residents on Facebook where I could find the best pasta in town, I was met with more than 30 comments recommending eight different places. I personally don't have a preference, but here's a list of the highly-praised recommendations:

• Macaroni Grill
• Mama Lucia's

Annapolis——This long-time Parole deli is a great place to break for lunch with fresh pastas and other Italian dishes. One of the best parts is picking up a bag of freshly-made pasta for home.

Severna Park– not only serves up many different varieties of pizza, but it is a pasta lover’s delight, especially on Tuesdays when you will find the restaurant packed with locals for the Pasta Day Special. Buy any entree, and get a Pasta Lover's Entree for only $3.99 (of equal or lesser value). The Fettuccini Carbonara is on the lunch and dinner menu—superb!

Pasadena—If you are looking for some great Italian food in Pasadena, look no further than Bella Napoli on Mountain Road.

Bella Napoli was voted best Italian Restaurant in 2009, according to its website, and the pastas do not disappoint. Try the chicken parmigianino served over spaghetti, topped with delicious tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese and your Italian craving will be cured.

Broadneck—Located in Arnold Station,  is a family-run restaurant with Italian its blood. If you're looking for some authentic Italian pasta dishes, Bella Italia has you covered. Owned by Guen Assante and her father, the family hails from Naples, Italy, and they've been bringing Arnold some of the best Italian in the entire region for over three years. Bella Italia also boasts traditional pizza as well as gourmet versions, all of which use fresh ingredients. The fresh tomato and basil is a favorite.