1 in 3 Welsh admit to adding ketchup and mayo to pasta dishes

A new YouGov poll commissioned by Pasta Evangelists, the fresh pasta specialists, has unearthed a series of revelations about strange British pasta habits across the UK

• Across the four UK nations, the Welsh were the worst offenders admitting to adding either ketchup (14%) or mayo (16%) on their pasta
• In fact, 20% of those surveyed in Wales confessed to eating pasta straight from the pan
• More than 1 in 3 Welsh (33%) voted Bolognese as their favourite dish, followed by Lasagne (27%) and Mac & Cheese (13%)

To celebrate World Pasta Day this year, the UK’s number one fresh pasta brand, Pasta Evangelists, surveyed Brits up and down the country to reveal the nation’s strangest pasta habits, and crowned Liverpool the pasta capital of the UK.

Pasta Evangelists and their team of Italian chefs commissioned new research, polling over 2,000 UK adults, to discover how British pasta habits vary from those in Italy. 

The new survey revealed that more than one third of the Welsh adults surveyed (33%) would choose Bolognese over any other dish*, followed by Lasagne (27%), Mac & Cheese (13%) and Carbonara (12%). 

In fact, a staggering 79% of the UK favoured the more classic pasta dishes including the likes of carbonara, mac & cheese, bolognese and lasagne. Whereas only 1% of Brits chose a lesser-known speciality like wild boar ragu as their favourite pasta dish. 

When it comes to strange pasta habits across the four UK nations, the Welsh were the worst offenders, admitting to putting either ketchup (14%) or mayo (16%) on their pasta.

Many even failed to plate up their pasta, with more than 20% of those we surveyed in  Wales admitting to eating pasta straight from the pan. 

The majority (59%) also admitted to topping their pasta with grated cheddar cheese, while more than one third (36%) would use bacon instead of traditional pancetta in a Carbonara. What’s more, 38% of Welsh respondents stated they enjoy eating pasta the most while relaxing in front of the TV, instead of at the dinner table*.

Interestingly, the research found that the Welsh have an aversion to basil pesto, as only 1% chose pesto dishes as their favourite, which is five times less than Scotland (6%) and England (6%). 

Head Chef Roberta explains: “Italy boasts over a thousand different pasta dishes from across twenty regions, from Sicily’s Pesto Trapanese to Genova’s Salsa di Noce. Our pasta recipe boxes are an ode to the best of Italian cooking, incorporating a range of flavours, textures and spices so Brits can make restaurant-quality pasta at home”. 

Pasta Evangelists is dedicated to delivering fresh, restaurant-quality pasta recipe boxes across the UK, which can be simply prepared in the comfort of their own home. 

Using only the finest seasonal ingredients and, whenever possible, Italian produce, all their pastas and sauces are handmade in London by Pasta Evangelists expert chefs. Their best-selling dishes include the likes of “Carbonara of Dreams”, Reginette with Beef Shin & Barolo Wine Ragù and Fresh Basil Pesto Lasagne from the Italian Riviera.