Dine & Cook | Alternative food journalism

Americans have a healthy appetite for pasta according to a new survey commissioned by Olive Garden.

A survey conducted by Kelton Research found that 97 percent of Americans are pasta eaters, with nearly one in four considering spaghetti their favorite.  Three quarters of Americans who eat pasta prefer traditional pasta sauces of either meat, Alfredo or marinara.

"This survey shows how much Americans love pasta," said Terry Stanley, executive vice president of marketing for Olive Garden. "[It] explains why [the] Never Ending Pasta Bowl has been an Olive Garden guest favorite."

The survey also found that when it comes to food, 35 percent of Americans associate Italian cuisine with generosity and abundance, more than any other type of ethnic cuisine.