White pasta tends to be the old standby when it comes to dining out at an authentic Italian restaurant, but for those looking to expand their boiled carbohydrate horizons, there's a huge variety of different mix-ins, flavorings, and even foundations that can be added to pasta dough for a totally new eating experience. If you want to try something new on your next forkful of homemade pasta, then try looking for one of these three unique types of pasta that look and taste radical. 

Whole Wheat

For those looking to slowly wade into the world of mixing up their pasta game, giving whole wheat a try has no downsides. The familiar look of whole wheat is welcoming to even the newest converts to fine pasta, and the health benefits are another bonus that many will appreciate. Even for the most die-hard pasta fans, whole wheat pasta provides an unique, grainy texture to any pasta dish, and is therefore great to include in any meal for a little break from the ordinary. The best part? Whole wheat can be substituted into any dish that uses white pasta, so it's perfect for dipping your toes into the specialty pasta world. 

Beet Pasta

Beet pasta is very unique both in flavor and color, so it might cause you to take a second look before digging in! The red or purple color is the first thing most diners notice, which comes from the beet puree that is added in during the mixing process. This extra veggie adds a sweet flavor to the pasta, so much so that this type of pasta is typically eaten au naturale or tossed with some butter or olive oil, making it perfect for a light meal or an appetizer. 

Squid Ink Pasta

Squid ink pasta is the most eye-catching type of pasta on this list, but it's also commonly considered the most delicious and classy. The jet black color of this fashionable type of pasta comes from real squid ink that is kneaded into the pasta dough behind the scenes, much like the beet pasta described earlier. Squid ink pasta has a more savory and subtly salty flavor than regular white pasta, adding a unique dimension to your dinner. Shrimp and other similar crustaceans are commonly incorporated into squid ink pasta since the slightly fishy flavor of the pasta plays well with actual fish and shellfish, but feel free to  experiment and find your favorite complements for the unique flavor of squid ink. 

For an Italian restaurant, consider visiting a place such as Ynot Italian.