It is traditionally a staple of Italian cuisine but in modern cookery is used across the globe. As a staple food in traditional Italian cuisine, pasta is very popular and widely used in modern cooking.

Now the popularity of pasta has been confirmed in a survey which places it as the world's favorite food ahead of meat, rice and pizza. Now the popularity of pasta has been confirmed in a survey which places it as the world's favorite food ahead of meat, rice and pizza.

Rice and pizza came out on top.

A global survey by Oxfam saw pasta narrowly top the list thanks to its growing popularity in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe.

, which is not unrelated to the degree to which it is highly sought after in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe.

Oxfam said the survey of eating habits in 17 countries shows how Western diets have spread across the world.

Although national dishes are still popular - such as paella in Spain and schnitzel in Germany - pizza and pasta are now the favorite foods of many, with more than half of the countries (nine out of 17) listing one or both in their top three foods

Although dishes with national characteristics are still very popular, such as Spain's seafood au gratin and Germany's schnitzel, pizza and pasta rank first or third in popularity in 9 of the 17 countries.

The exceptions were Tanzania, Russia, Philippines, Pakistan, Mexico, Kenya, India and Ghana. However, this situation did not occur in Tanzania, Russia, Philippines, Pakistan, Mexico, Kenya, India and Ghana.

But as a food with around 600 different varieties including popular exports like penne and tagliatelle, pasta reigns supreme thanks to its versatility and specialities.

With over 600 varieties, pasta is widely accepted thanks to its variety of recipes and unique flavors.

Pasta ranked as the second most popular food in the UK, behind steak and ahead of chicken.

Curry, thought by many to be one of the most popular cuisines in Britain, ranked fourth. Curry, thought by many to be one of the most popular cuisines in Britain, ranked fourth. Curry, thought by many to be one of the most popular cuisines in Britain, unexpectedly ranked fourth.