27 Types of Pasta and Their Uses
That one sort of food can be transformed into so many other forms isn’t that incredible? Toss pasta in boiling water and dress it up with some sauce and protein, and you’ve got yourself one of the most flexible pantry essentials. Despite the fact that pasta is a dependable food, we have a propensity to eat the same varieties of pasta over and over again. Consider this your license to investigate the possibilities of the past. Some varieties of pasta are ideal for delivering thick and meaty sauces, but others are better suited for soups and salads, among other things.
Uncooked pasta in a variety of shapes and sizes Photograph courtesy of Anadolu Agency/Contributor/Getty Images
1. Angel Hair Pasta
That one sort of food can be transformed into so many other forms isn’t it amazing? Toss pasta in boiling water and dress it up with some sauce and protein, and you’ve got yourself one of the most flexible pantry staples around! When it comes to pasta, we have a tendency to stick to the same sorts of pasta time and time again. Despite this, we do enjoy trying new varieties. You may now proceed with your investigation of historical possibilites. When it comes to delivering rich and meaty sauces, some varieties of pasta excel, while others are better suited for serving soup and salad combinations.
Pre-cooked pasta in a variety of shapes and colors Contributor/Getty Images: Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency
2. Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle)
To spice up any meal that asks for little pasta shapes, such as penne or shells, bow tie pasta is a great option. Farfalle is another name for this dish. Tie-dye bow ties made from sausage tomatoes and cream Cooking with Bow Ties and Sausage Tomatoes and Cream | Photograph by Elijah
3. Bucatini Pasta
Bucatini pasta with shrimp and anchovies is a classic dish. Recipe for Bucatini Pasta with Shrimp and Anchovies | Photo courtesy of Kims Cooking Now| Image courtesy of Kims Cooking Now
4. Ditalini Pasta
tubes with smooth sides that are medium in size and relatively short in length. ditali are a short pasta type that is good in soups, pasta salads, and standing up to thick sauces, as are other short pasta shapes. With roasted tomato sauce and goat cheese, ditalini are transformed into a delicious dish. Roasted Tomato Sauce & Goat Cheese Ditalini | Photo courtesy of Baking Nana
5. Egg Noodles
Tuna Casserole that is quick and simple to prepare Tuna Casserole Made in Minutes | Photo courtesy of dustysun
6. Fettuccine Pasta
Fettuccine is a type of egg pasta that is sliced into long, thin strips. It is frequently served with cream sauces, such as in the traditional Fettuccine Alfredo, to enhance the flavor. You may substitute fettuccine for linguine or spaghetti in any recipe that asks for either. Cooking Creamy Mushroom PastaCook John’s Creamy Mushroom Pasta | Photo courtesy of Chef John| Credit: Cook John
7. Fusilli Pasta
If you’re making a dish that calls for spaghetti, this long, thick, spiral-shaped pasta will provide an interesting twist.
Its fissures are ideal for transporting rich sauces, but it’s also frequently used in pasta salads because of its flavor. Salad de Pasta Italiana à la Salami (Salami Lovers’ Italian Pasta Salad) Salami Lover’s Italian Pasta Salad | Photo courtesy of CookinBug| Source: CookinBug.
8. Gemelli Pasta
Pasta with Peas is a traditional Italian dish. Pasta with Peas | Photo courtesy of Tony
9. Gnocchi
Basil Ricotta Gnocchi from Chef John’s | Photo by FNChef| Credit: FNChefChef John’s Basil Ricotta Gnocchi | Photo by FNChef|
10. Lasagna
This long, broad noodle is also known by the name of the meal that it is served with. It is possible to have flat or curled borders on the lasagna (the noodle). Lasagna (the dish) is very delicious. The Best Lasagna in the World
11. Linguine
These long, flat noodles are a little thicker than spaghetti, but they are still rather tasty. Although clam sauce is the traditional accompaniment in Italian restaurants, you may use it in any meal that asks for spaghetti. Linguine tossed in a sweet Italian sausage ragout | Photo by bellepepper | Sweet Italian Sausage Ragout with Linguine
12. Macaroni
Known as macaroni, this little tube-shaped pasta is excellent in creamy casseroles (such as macaroni and cheese) and salads (likemacaroni salad). Why? Because the creamy sauce seeps into the cooked tubes, you’ll get taste in every bite thanks to the creamy sauce. Macaroni and cheese with ham and peas made in the Instant Pot Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham and Peas | Instant Pot Mac and Cheese | Photo courtesy of lutzflcat
13. Manicotti
Mexican Manicotti prepared in the microwave Cooking in the Microwave Mexican Manicotti | Photo by bd.weld | Credit: bd.weld
14. Orecchiette Pasta
A little, bowl-shaped pasta that is frequently mixed with veggies and oil rather than substantial sauces, according to the manufacturer. Yummy morsels of meat and vegetables will be caught in the little indentations in the pasta. Orecchiette Pasta in a Single Pan Orecchiette Pasta in a Single Pan | Photo by Linda T.
15. Orzo Pasta
It is a tiny, bowl-shaped pasta that is normally served with veggies and oil rather than with heavy sauces. Tender morsels of meat and vegetables will be trapped in the pasta’s small indentations. Orecchiette Pasta Made on a Single Pan Linda T. photographed this one-pan orecchiette pasta dish.
16. Penne Pasta
A tube-shaped pasta that is sliced diagonally at both ends and measures two inches in length. It’s especially good with chunky meat or vegetable sauces since the meat or vegetables will flow right into the spaghetti tubes. Mostaccioli are a type of pasta that is also known as mostaccioli. A penne pasta dish with chicken and asparagus. CookinBug’s Penne with Chicken and Asparagus | Image courtesy of CookinBug
17. Radiatore Pasta
Ruffled, short, squat pasta that is similar to rotini in shape. They have a radiator-like appearance, which is how they got their name. Radiatore, like other robust pasta shapes, show out when served with heavy sauces or mixed with vegetables in an apasta salad. Pasta Salad with Sesame Chicken Salad de Pasta à la Sesame | Photo courtesy of GodivaGirl
18. Ravioli
These little square pillows of dough are stuffed with a variety of finely crushed or chopped ingredients ranging from cheese to meat to pureed vegetables.
Serveravioli with sauce, in soups, or just sprinkled with olive oil are all delicious options. Ravioli with Beets and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Beets and Goat Cheese | Photograph by Kim
19. Rigatoni Pasta
Riggies are short, grooved, tube-shaped ingredients that may be utilized in a variety of applications, from sauces to salads to baked casseroles. Rigatoni alla Genovese (Genovese Rigatoni) Restaurant-quality Rigatoni alla Genovese | Photo courtesy of Chef John
20. Rotelle Pasta
In a variety of applications ranging from sauces to salads to baked casseroles, short, grooved tube-shaped “riggies” can be found. Ragu alla Genovese – Rigatoni al Genovese Restaurant-quality Rigatoni alla Genovese | Photograph courtesy of Chef John
21. Rotini Pasta
These kid-friendly noodles resembled smooshed corkscrews when they were served. Because pieces of veggies will adhere to the grooves in the rotini, it is frequently used for pasta salad. Pasta Salad with Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad with Buffalo Chicken | Photo courtesy of CookinBug
22. Shells
Shells Stuffed with Meat I
23. Spaghetti Pasta
The characteristic long, thin, cylindrical tubes that you’re familiar with and like. Served with a little dressing of olive oil and garlic, this pasta is just thick enough to not be lost in that heavy family meat sauce recipe, but thin enough to be served with a cream sauce or even just a light dressing of olive oil and garlic. Spaghetti Sauce as a Wedding Gift Spaghetti Sauce as a Wedding Gift | Photograph by Melissa Goff
24. Tagliatelle Pasta
A long, flat, thin noodle that is similar to fettuccine in appearance. The traditional pairing is with meat sauces, although it may also be used with lighter sauces. Tagliatelle with a Pesto of Coriander Tagliatelle with Coriander Pesto | Image courtesy of
25. Tortellini
Stuffed spaghetti rings that may be eaten with sauce, added to soup, or simply drizzled with olive oil are available. Beets, tomatoes, and other coloring chemicals are sometimes used to create a variety of hues, which are then sold separately. Tortellini in Sausage Soup with Tortellini in Italian Sausage Soup Photo courtesy of Allrecipes| Image courtesy of Allrecipes
26. Vermicelli Pasta
These lengthy strands of pasta are thinner than spaghetti but thicker than angel hair in texture and appearance. You may utilize it in the same way that you would either of those. Spaghettini is another name for this dish. Bowl of Vermicelli Noodles Bowl of Vermicelli Noodles | Photograph by Dave Musumeci
27. Ziti
Ziti is a skinny tube-shaped pasta that can withstand strong sauces and is particularly good in baked pasta recipes. Recipe for Baked Ziti IBaked Ziti I | Photo courtesy of cookin’mama
33 Types of Italian Pasta and Their Uses
On certain nights, there’s nothing better than boiling some noodles and whipping up a batch of spaghetti (with an optional side of wine!). A straightforward and traditional supper. However, there are several varieties of pasta available. So let’s have a look at the most prevalent ones. What a world of possibilities there are with pasta. There are a plethora of styles and forms to choose from. The standard marinara and tomato sauces work well with this dish, but you may also get creative with creamy, herby creations.
You may experiment with different vegetables and proteins.
In contrast, while any type of pasta is a simple and tasty dish, there are an astounding number of different kinds of noodles you may cook to create your own unique pasta dish.
First, let’s learn a little bit about the many sorts of pasta shapes and how they are formed before you go crazy with the flavors and finishing touches.
Types of pasta
There are a plethora of different sorts of pasta. The good news is that they may be divided into a few distinct categories: short pasta, long pasta, sheet pasta, filled pasta, and dumpling pasta, among others. Long pasta can be hand-rolled or created using an extruder, while many forms of short pasta (though not all) must be made with an extruder in order to get the particular shapes that distinguish them.
Long Pasta
These are the long, thin ribbons and strand pasta forms that you’re looking for. If you want to prepare them with creamy sauces, choose components that are only extremely small in size and have very few chunks, if any at all.
Angel’s hair
Angel hair pasta is a long, thin noodle that is thinner than spaghetti in consistency. It goes well with mild oil-based and cream-based sauces. Anything that is too substantial may overrun it. Pair it with a classichomemade marinara sauce for a typical Italian supper to complete the experience. Shredded chicken or shrimp scampi are also excellent sources of protein for this dish.
Bucatini
It has a similar appearance to regular spaghetti. However, it is more rounded, and there is a hole in the centre of each noodle, creating a hollow core in the middle of each noodle. As a result, it is a little thicker than regular spaghetti noodles. When used in soups, pasta dishes, and casseroles, it retains a lot of the sauce that is added. That is bucatini’s superpower, to put it mildly.
Fettuccine
Fettuccini is a flat spaghetti noodle that looks similar to a flat spaghetti noodle. It’s a noodle that’s thicker and denser in texture. In contrast to other forms of long pasta, because it is quite wide, it works well with chunky meat sauces. Without a doubt, creamy alfredo sauce combined over fettuccine is a winning combination.
Spaghetti
Who doesn’t enjoy a good spaghetti dish? It is formed like angel hair and bucatini, and it has a cylinder shape. Its thickness, on the other hand, lies midway in the center. Even while it isn’t nearly as thin as angel’s hair, it is significantly thinner than bucatini. Combining meatballs with pasta is always a traditional pairing. Are you tired of the same old spaghetti? Make pesto shrimp spaghetti to add a unique touch to the dish.
Linguine
Linguine is similar in appearance to fettuccine, although it is not as broad. In seafood meals, it’s a typical noodle combo, especially when used with white wine sauces with clams and mussels. With linguine noodles, any cream-based or white wine-based sauce tastes like a culinary dream.
Pappardelle
If you believe that the width of long pasta can’t go any broader than fettuccine, you are mistaken. Pappardelle pasta noodles are even better at blending with rich, meat-based sauces than fettuccine pasta noodles. While it is most typically used in raguorbolognese, it is also excellent in seafood pastadishes and other meals that call for shellfish. Given its size, tenacity, and sturdiness, you can slam it with any heavy sauce.
Tagliatelle
It’s quite simple to make the mistake between tagliatelle and fettuccine. In fact, in certain regions of Italy, tagliatelle is referred to as fettucine by chefs.
Both forms of pasta have the appearance of flattened spaghetti and are about the same width, although tagliatelle will have a somewhat thicker bite to it. It’s also capable of handling heavy meat sauces, but it’s also capable of handling cream or tomato sauces.
Vermicelli
Tagliatelle and fettuccine are often confused with one another. It is true that tagliatelle are referred to as fettucine in some regions of Italy. Although both forms of pasta have the appearance of flattened spaghetti and are of a similar width, the bite of tagliatelle will be a little thicker in comparison to spaghetti. Besides thick meat sauces, it is also capable of handling cream or tomato sauces with equal proficiency.
Short Pasta
Tagliatelle and fettuccine are easily confused with one another. In fact, in certain regions of Italy, tagliatelle are referred to as fettucine by chefs. Both forms of pasta have the appearance of flattened spaghetti and are about the same width, however tagliatelle will have a somewhat thicker bite. It is also capable of handling heavy meat sauces, but it is also capable of handling cream or tomato sauces.
Campanelle
Campanelle pasta is one of the less well-known types of pasta available. This little bell-shaped flower has been rolled up in the shape of a cone with ruffled edges, resembling a small bell-shaped flower. Thicker sauces will be easily absorbed by the hollow middle, and you could even use it as a substitute for elbows in macaroni and cheese recipes.
Casarecce
Consider a tube-shaped pasta that is somewhat open at the ends and has rolled edges that are not completely attached. Casarecce is similar to a noodle that has been gently coiled and twisted. Sauces will also be caught well in the middle.
Cavatappi
It is often referred to as double elbow pasta because of its hollow, spiral-shaped form. The various twists and turns provide a large amount of surface area for the sauce to cover and adhere to, as well as additional chew due to the length of the dish. With fact, it’s fantastic in macaroni and cheese.
Fusilli
There are many grooves and fissures in this spiral-shaped noodle, which allows it to catch more sauce and dressing. It’s strong enough to combine with a richer sauce, such as marinara or meat sauce, without falling apart. However, it is also frequently used in pasta salads.
Radiatori
Radiatori noodles may be used in soups and casseroles, among other things. It’s not as ubiquitous in grocery shops as it could be, but it’s a distinctive form. It has the appearance of a futuristic spiral. Is it fair to suggest that it resembles a little parking garage?
Rotini
Rotini is a corkscrew-shaped pasta that is widely available. It features a tighter spiral than fusilli, making it more difficult to break. However, it is similar to fusilli in that it absorbs many sorts of sauces effectively. It can handle anything from thick and beefy to oil-based to creamy in texture. It’s especially delicious in this one-pot chicken cacciatore recipe.
Elbows
You first encountered elbow macaroni noodles while participating in a kindergarten craft project. However, as an adolescent and an adult, you most certainly developed a fondness for foods coated in cheese. It’s in the shape of a little half-circle. Apart from being a fantastic noodle choice for pasta meals, it is also a good choice for casseroles.
Farfalle
Although it may sound foreign, bow tie spaghetti is a simple dish.
It may be found in a variety of creamy pasta dishes as well as pasta salads (and perhaps even as an accompaniment to elbow macaroni for your children’s painting project). It seems like there isn’t much you can’t do with this style of pasta.
Gemelli
Gemelli pasta noodles have the appearance of two thin strands that have been twisted together. It is, however, deceiving you with a trick on your eyes. It’s only one noodle that has been bent to appear like that. It holds sauce well, and it’s a popular noodle choice for adding green vegetables and herbs to spaghetti and pasta salads, among other things.
Penne
It is probable that penne is already a household favorite in your home. It is a hollow cylinder-shaped noodle with slanted sides that is hollow within. It features ridges that make its texture great for capturing sauce, and it is made of plastic. It is sometimes referred to as mostaccioli in some circles. In addition to being used in a variety of pasta dishes, it is a frequent noodle seen in casseroles. In a thischicken piccata pastadish, I combined the mixture with chicken and zucchini.
Rotelli
Rotelli is a pasta dish that looks a lot like something you’d find in a kid’s soup (and frequently is!). This colorful wheel design is perfect for catching all of the different sorts of sauces and components in a soup or pasta dish. It’s a compact and manageable size.
Rigatoni
Rigatoni has the appearance of the penne’s sister noodle. It’s likewise cylinder-shaped, and its texture has ridges in it, as well. Penne is somewhat stumpier and less slender than spaghetti, and it does not have the sloping margins that are characteristic of spaghetti. As with penne, the ridges and gaping center will retain sauce, resulting in every mouthful being cheesy, creamy, and tasty in its own right. I use it in my creamy butternut squash pasta dish, which is delicious.
Orecchiette
These noodles are frequently linked to the form of ears, and it’s not hard to understand why. While it is a versatile sort of pasta that can be used in a variety of dishes, cream sauces are particularly fond of it. The little dips in their cores may appear insignificant, yet they are quite effective at capturing sauce and taste.
Ziti
It’s no surprise that these noodles are frequently linked to the form of ears. It is a versatile form of pasta that works well with a wide variety of recipes; nonetheless, cream sauces have a strong affinity for this particular pasta. Even while the little dips in its cores appear insignificant, they perform wonders in terms of absorbing sauce and flavor.
Conchiglie
It is merely another name for shells, which is conchiglie. These may be found in a number of sizes, ranging from micro to small to medium to large. The fact that they make their own macaroni is undoubtedly their claim to fame, but their open cores make them ideal for enclosing any form of cream sauce or a robust meat sauce.
Orzo
Orzo is sometimes confused with grains, but it is actually a sort of pasta, and it is likely the tiniest of the little pasta types. It has a texture similar to rice, and it is frequently used in orzo pasta salads. It may also be used to lend a wonderful texture to soups.
Ditalini
When it comes to little pasta forms, Ditalini is likewise on the smaller end of the range, as is rigatoni.
Ditalini is similar to ziti noodles in that it is made up of multiple smaller noodles that are sliced together. A prominent component in minestrone soup, as well as in pasta Fagioli, is fennel seed powder.
Sheet Pasta
Sheet pasta noodles are exactly what they sound like: they are thin and flat, like a sheet of paper (but small dimensions of course).
Lasagne
This is by far the most popular variety of sheet pasta available. Its form is defined by the ruffled, ornamental margins that surround it. Without a doubt, it’s utilized to produce lasagne, where it’s sandwiched between ricotta cheese and meat sauce in a classic dish (vegan versions are popping up everywhere). No-boil lasagne noodles can be purchased that have been precooked and dried. The moisture from your cheese and sauce is sufficient to rehydrate the noodles, so you won’t have to prepare them separately before baking them in the oven.
Filled Pasta
There is one thing that all of these noodles have in common. They may be stuffed with a variety of fillings, including cheesy, ooey-gooey, veggie, and protein-based options. It provides up a plethora of possibilities for incorporating flavor into your pasta meals.
Tortellini
Tortellini reminds me of miniature air tubes gliding down a river, which is how I like to imagine them. Alternatively, little donuts. It is available in a variety of flavors, including cheese and meat. Tortellini can be drenched in sauces or served in a brothy tomato soup, depending on your preference. Because it already has a lot of flavor crammed within the filling, it’s also delicious tossed in a little olive oil and parmesan cheese before serving.
Ravioli
Ravioli are square and packed with cheese. When it comes to store-bought ravioli, the smaller the better, but don’t be shocked if you’re offered huge ravioli at some Italian restaurants. It has a ruffled appearance and the edges are squeezed tightly together. You’ll find them loaded with a variety of ingredients, including cheese, veggies, and meat.
Manicotti
Consider manicotti to be the equivalent of large penne noodles. It has the same texture and form as the original, but it is somewhat bigger. And do you have any idea what that means? More room for cheese and sauce to be stuffed within. My family like it when it is cooked in a casserole dish. It also enjoys a hearty meaty bolognese sauce smothered in the middle.
Cannelloni
Cannelloni noodles are a cross between lasagne noodles and manicotti noodles, and they’re delicious. It’s a tube-shaped pasta (similar to manicotti) with no ridges on the outside (like lasagna). It starts out as a sheet pasta that is rolled into tubes and then dipped in sauce. It’s loaded with cheese and tomato sauce, similar to how manicotti noodles are stuffed.
Jumbo shells
We touched on a few of these points above in relation to the various sizes of conchiglie pasta (shells). It’s merely another term for gigantic conchiglie, which is what it is. Typically, you’ll load it with a cheese filling (don’t be afraid to add some herbs and flavorings to make it more interesting). Then, just before baking, drizzle some sauce over top.
Mezzelune
Mezzelune pasta is similar in appearance to potstickers, however it is a tad flatter in shape.
It’s a flat spaghetti that’s hand-rolled from the beginning. Firstly, it is cut into ovals that are filled with stuffing before being folded in half and sealed with pinched corners before boiling.
Dumpling Pasta
In this category, there is just one sort of pasta that you should be familiar with, and that is.
Gnocchi
Gnocchi is made in a different way than hand-rolled and extruded pasta, with the potato serving as the basic component and the addition of flour and egg. As a result, the dumplings are thick and compact in size. Both home cooks and professional chefs alike like getting creative with gnocchi, dousing it in creamy sauce, substituting butternut squash for conventional riced potato, or dressing it up for the holidays with a pumpkin sage sauce, to name a few ideas.
Specialty types of pasta
You’ve probably seen an increase in the number of specialized pasta varieties available on grocery store shelves. Producers are developing gluten-free versions of their products that use only beans or lentils as the primary component. It’s also possible to purchase whole grain pasta, indicating that there is a need for more nutritious methods to enjoy our favorite pasta recipes.
How is dried pasta made?
You’ve seen the pasta section of the grocery store, so you’re aware that you have alternatives to choose from. If you were to traverse the world, you would come across hundreds of different varieties of pasta, some of which had various names in different parts of the world. However, there are around 20 to 30 of them that are the most frequent in the United States. They are produced using one of two methods: hand-rolling or extrusion. The majority of pastas are made with only two simple ingredients: flour and eggs.
- After the flour and egg (or water) are combined, the dough is kneaded until it forms a ball that is flattened out and cut into various shapes.
- The second process, extrusion, is used to manufacture the vast majority of the varieties of pasta marketed commercially.
- Although the recipe may vary, the egg is often substituted for water, and semolina flour is frequently used in place of all-purpose flour in most cases.
- It is used to make pasta and bread.
Fresh pasta versus dried pasta
While fresh pasta will always be a pleasant experience, dried pasta may be a good option for heartier meals that require the noodles to hold up to robust sauces and more vigorous cooking (like in casseroles). Because it has a more sensitive feel, freshly rolled pasta will cook more quickly than dried pasta.
Selecting and storing pasta
Fresh pasta may be stored in the refrigerator for up to two or three days after it has been cut and shaped, depending on how long it will be used. Keep it in an airtight container at all times. You may even freeze it for up to two weeks if you want to save time. It is advisable to consume dried, store-bought pasta from a box within a year of purchase.
When choosing a type of pasta, take the sauce into consideration. Long and thin noodles go well with lighter sauces such as those made with olive oil or cream. Make use of any of the shorter pasta kinds if you’re going to make a chunkier sauce.
A visual guide to every type of pasta
Updated2021-10-17T11:02:06ZMacaroni. Photograph courtesy of Marie C Fields/Shutterstock
- The 17th of October is National Pasta Day, a day dedicated to honoring one of the world’s most cherished dishes. There are over 50 different varieties of pasta, and the number grows much larger when you include in all the different sizes. The 54 primary varieties of pasta, as well as some recommendations for what to serve them with, have been compiled in one place. More articles may be found on the Insider homepage.
Spaghetti translates to “little strings” in Italian. It’s perhaps the most famous and beloved pasta worldwide.
Spaghetti. MaraZe/Shutterstock Spaghetti is available in a variety of forms, including spaghetti alla chitarra, spaghettini, and spaghettoni, among others. Spaghetti is most commonly eaten with tomato sauce or meatballs, but there are a variety of other recipes that may be made with pasta.
Linguine means “little tongues.” It’s wider and flatter than spaghetti.
Linguine. SherSor/Shutterstock Bavettine, bavette fini, radichini, trenette, and linguettine are some of the other names and variants for this dish. In most cases, linguine is served with pesto.
Fettuccine translates to “little ribbons.” It’s flatter than linguine.
Fettuccine. Images courtesy of Romulo Yanes/Condé Nast/Getty Images Fettuccine comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and is also known by other names such as lasagnette, fettucce, ramicce, and sagne. It is fettuccine Alfredo that is the most well-known fettuccine dish, and it is made with a thick cream sauce.
Tagliatelle’s name originates from the Italian verb “tagliare,” which means to cut. It’s similar to fettuccine but is generally a bit narrower.
Tagliatelle. Image courtesy of Natasha Breen /REDA CO /Universal Images Group / Getty Images As stated by Barilla, tagliatelle is “great for soaking up every last drop of sauce,” and it may be served with “meat or Bolognese sauces,” as well as topped with “options like as nuts, cheese, tomato, and basil,” among other things.
Scialatielli is essentially tagliatelle that’s cut into shorter pieces.
Scialatelli.Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock A chef named Enrico Cosentino came up with the idea for scialatielli, which was first conceived in the 1960s, making it one of the most recent forms of pasta to be developed.
Pappardelle’s fun name comes from the verb “pappare,” which means to “eat with childish joy and pleasure.”
Pappardelle. Corina Photograph courtesy of Daniela Obertas/Shutterstock Pappardelle is the largest of the ribbon-shaped pastas, and according to Barilla, it is best served with a “thick rabbit ragu,” but it is also good with “slow-cooked meat of any type.”
Mafaldine is another flat pasta, with wavy edges. It was named after Princess Mafalda of Savoy.
Mafaldine. Aleksandra Duda courtesy of Shutterstock Because of its link to Princess Mafalda, it is often referred to as reginette, which literally translates as “little queens.” Toss mafaldine with “game sauces, ragu Napoletano, seafood or shellfish sauces, and white sauces created from soft cheeses with the addition of ginger, horseradish, or saffron,” according to Taste Atlas. The pasta tripoline, which is similar to ravioli in appearance but only has ridges on one side, is also available.
Capellini, aka angel hair pasta, translates to “thin hair.” It’s a thin form of spaghetti.
Pasta aglio olio (angel hair). Photograph courtesy of Brian Yarvin/Shutterstock According to Barilla’s website, capellini goes well with “simple light tomato sauces, broths, consommés, and soups, or in light dairy sauces like parsley crème,” among other things.
Bucatini is another spaghetti-like pasta, though it has a hole in the middle. The word translates to “hollow straws.”
Bucatini. Photograph courtesy of Liudmyla Chuhunova/Shutterstock Because bucatini is hollow, it varies from spaghetti in that it is thinner and longer in length, similar to penne-style noodle. The bucatini dish known as Bucatini all’amatriciana is named after the Italian town of Amatrice, and it is the most popular in the world. The most important component is guanciale, which is cured pig cheek. There is another form of pasta known as perciatelli that is essentially identical to bucatini in flavor and appearance.
Bigoli gets its name from how it’s made: with a pasta press called a bigolaro.
Bigoli.
ChiccoDodiFC/Shutterstock Bigoli is a type of pasta that is thicker and softer than spaghetti. There are occasions when it is prepared with duck eggs.
The word pici derives from “appiciare,” which means “to stick.” It’s basically fat, hand-rolled spaghetti.
Pici.gowithstock/Shutterstock What distinguishes pici from other crafts is that each piece is unique — no two pieces of pici are the same length or thickness owing to the fact that they are all handcrafted. It goes well with a variety of different foods.
Maccheroni alla molinara translates to “the miller’s wife’s pasta.”
Maccheroni al molinara (mozzarella pasta). Photograph courtesy of Mark Gail/The Washington Post/Getty Images Similarly to macaroni alla molinara, maccheroni alla molinara is another very long, hand-rolled, thick type of noodle that is formed into loops. Even more impressively, according to The Washington Post, the components are initially 5 feet long before they are assembled.
Vermicelli means “little worms” and is longer and thinner than spaghetti.
Vermicelli. Kritchai7752/Shutterstock Many other nations’ cuisines, like as Vietnamese cuisine, have included vermicelli into their recipes. Pasta Fits, on the other hand, suggests topping it with “any sauce,” or incorporating it into a salad or stir-fry.
Ravioli is the most famous of the “stuffed pastas.” It can be filled with meat or cheese.
Ravioli.janosmarton/Shutterstock The two pieces of pasta are frequently glued together with a fork, resulting in ridges on the pieces.
Tortellini is small and ring-shaped, and it is stuffed with meat or cheese.
Tortellini. Photograph courtesy of Ivano de Santis/Shutterstock Tortellini also have a shape that resembles navels, earning them the moniker “belly buttons.” These tortelli (bigger in size) and tortelloni (smaller in size) are interchangeable (only filled with cheese or vegetables). Another variation with a similar form is cappelletti, which literally translates as “little hats.” In addition, they are frequently stuffed with cheese.
Caramelle is stuffed and shaped to look like a piece of candy.
Caramelle.ajborges/Shutterstock That’s also where the name originates from: those caramel candy that everyone’s grandmothers seem to have in their possession. It is also available in a variety of vibrant hues.
Creste di galli gets its name from its shape — it looks like the crest on a rooster.
Via Virtu Studio/Shutterstock, the Galli crest is depicted. Creste di galli also has a mohawk-like appearance and, according to Pastosa, “possesses maximum sauce-retention due to its tubular form and ruffled edge.” Creste di galli is available in a variety of colors. Quadrefiore is a four-sided variation that is comparable to quadrefiore.
Busiate is a type of long macaroni. Its name comes from the Sicilian word “busa,” which means reed.
Busiate. Photograph courtesy of Natalia Aggiato/Shutterstock It is possible to prepare busiate by spinning the pasta around a long pin, such as a knitting needle, or by winding the spaghetti around a branch. The most typical food produced with busiante ispesto alla trapanese, an antipasto made with red tomato pesto, which is the most popular dish created with it.
Trofie is the best pasta for pesto.
Trofie courtesy of Marina Bakush/Shutterstock. The fact that it comes from the same region of Italy as basil pesto Genovese, the most well-known of all pesto sauces, or the fact that the pesto gets stuck in the spirals, are also possible explanations.
Fusilli is a corkscrew-shaped pasta, but it has a much tighter spiral.
Fusilli. Cristina Ionescu/File:/www.stockphoto.com/ Fusilli noodles have a similar appearance to springs.
The term “fuso,” which means “spindle,” is derived from the Italian word for “fuso.” Fusilli is a great choice for cold pasta salads because of its firm texture. One of the other variations is the radiatori, which has the appearance of a squashed fusilli with a ridge along one of its long sides.
Rotini is frequently mislabeled as fusilli in the US, but the two are different. Rotini has external-facing grooves. It means “twists.”
Rotini. Photograph courtesy of Narin Eungsuwat/Shutterstock According to Barilla, rotini is ideal for “light tomato sauces (with or without finely chopped vegetables), dairy-based sauces, or oil-based sauces,” as well as “light tomato sauces.” It’s also a good addition to spaghetti salad.
Gemelli, or “twins,” is a single S-shaped piece of pasta twisted into a spiral.
Gemelli. Photograph by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post/Getty Images Contrary to rotini and fusilli, this pasta has the appearance of a double helix or double corkscrew, albeit it is still made of a single piece. Gemelli pasta is also recommended by Barilla for use in pasta salad.
Farfalle, or bow tie pasta as it’s known in the US, means “butterfly.” Do you see the resemblance?
Farfalle. Photograph courtesy of Ildi Papp/Shutterstock Farfalle should be used in “light sauces with vegetables or fish, dairy-based sauces, simple oil-based sauces, or in pasta salads,” according to Barillare. It’s also known by the names fiochetti, fiocconi, farfalloni, galla genovese, strichetti, and nocchette, among other variations on the theme.
Tripolini are similar to farfalle, but they have deeper “baskets” at the ends.
Tripolini. Photo credit: AN NGUYEN/Shutterstock Tripolini is a kind of canestrini, which literally translates as “small baskets.” When it comes to sauces, its baskets are “great scoops for sauces, especially types of fish and meat ragù in bigger sizes, and when it comes to soups and broths, the texture is delicious in smaller ones.”
Conchiglie means shells, which is the name used by Americans.
Conchiglie. Photograph courtesy of Daila Jansone/Shutterstock Shells are an excellent choice for any heavy sauce since the pocket-like form keeps the sauce inside the shell. Conchiglie are also available in a variety of hues, including black squid ink and green spinach. There is a smaller variation known as cicioneddos that is also available.
Cavatelli, or “little hollows,” look similar to hot dog buns.
Cavatelli. Renee Comet is a photographer for The Washington Post and Getty Images. Cavatelli is typically served with broccoli rabe, or just with garlic and broccoli—or you can make it even creamier by mixing in ricotta into the dough.
Campanelle, which loosely means “bell flowers” or “little bells,” is a cone-shaped pasta with a ruffled edge.
Campanelle. Photograph courtesy of Valerie Nik/Shutterstock The hollow core is ideal for catching sauce and other liquids.
Ditalini, which translates to “thimbles,” has many names, like tubettini or magghietti.
Ditalini. GolubSergei/Shutterstock Ditalini are often twice as tall as they are wide, and they are widely used across Sicily as a type of bread. Ditalini is frequently used in the preparation of pasta e fagioli, a sort of soup consisting of pasta and beans.
Gnocchi are dumpling-shaped, and they are made with potatoes.
Gnocchi. stockcreations/Shutterstock On the top, there are ridges that distinguish gnocchi from other pasta dishes. These may be created using either fork or gnocchi board.
Penne is a hollow type of pasta, named for its pen-like shape.
Penne. Photograph courtesy of Natalia Pshenichnaya/Shutterstock Penne may be distinguished by the diagonal holds that it has at either end. It is particularly ideal for thicker sauces and meals such as penne alla vodka, which is well-known around the world. Trenne is identical to penne, with the exception that it is more triangular in shape.
Rigatoni’s name comes from the Italian word “rigato” which means ridged, or lined. Rigatoni is typically larger than ziti or penne.
Rigatoni. Eddy Buttarelli/REDA CO/Universal Images Group/Getty Images; courtesy of the photographer.
In addition, rigatoni is sliced straight, as opposed to the diagonal cut of penne. When opposed to smoother pastas, such as ziti, the ridges on rigatoni make it easier for sauces and cheese to adhere to the pasta. Rigatoni cooked in the oven is a traditional rigatoni dish.
Tortiglioni is similar to rigatoni, but the grooves spiral around the pasta instead of straight down.
Tortiglioni. Photograph courtesy of Evgenii Emelianov/Shutterstock The word “torque” derives from the Latin verb “to torquere,” which literally translates as “to twist.”
Pastina, which literally means “little pasta,” is the smallest type of pasta available. It comes in different shapes like stelline, pictured below.
Pastina. Toasted Pictures courtesy of Shutterstock Others include corallini, grattini, tempestine, and a number of additional types. Pastina is typically used as a component in Italian soups and stews.
Acini di pepe, which translates to “grains of pepper,” is a small bead-like type of pasta.
Acini di pepe is a kind of pepperoni. Images courtesy of Romulo Yanes/Condé Nast/Getty Images Because of its tiny size, acini di pepe is commonly used in soups. It has a texture similar to couscous.
Orzo, also known as risoni, is Italian for “barley,” though the pieces are rice-shaped and sized.
Orzo. Photograph courtesy of Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket/Getty Images Orzo can be prepared into a pilaf, roasted, or eaten on its own or as a component of a soup, such as minestrone, or tossed in a salad.
Orecchiette gets its name from its shape — orecchiette means “little ears.”
Orecchiette. Mike O/Shutterstock Orecchiette are shaped like miniature ears because of a slight dip in the centre of the pasta. Among the dishes made with orecchiette is orecchiette alla cime di rapa, which is just pasta with broccoli rabe as the vegetable (aka rapini). According to some recipes, orecchiete is best served with vegetable sauces, while others recommend serving them with meat or capers. Cencioni is a similar-looking pasta that is a bit larger and flatter in shape – it has the appearance of a flower.
Lasagne is, of course, used in lasagna. It’s just flat sheets of pasta.
Lasagne.stockcreations/Shutterstock Lasagna is produced by layering lasagna noodles with a variety of ingredients such as spinach, meat, tomato sauce, onions, cheese, and just about anything else you can imagine. Furthermore, lasagna is one of the world’s oldest pasta dishes, with roots that may be traced back to the ancient Greeks.
Fazzoletti, which means “handkerchief,” is thinner than lasagne.
Fazzoletti. Photograph courtesy of Alvaro German Vilela/Shutterstock In addition, unlike lasagne, it usually features wavy ridges at the extremities of the dish. It is recommended that fazzoletti be served “with little more than butter and Parmesan, or a sprinkle of garlic-infused olive oil,” according to the New York Times.
Malloreddus means “fat little calves.” It contains saffron and looks similar to casarecce, except with ridges.
Malloreddus. Photograph by Paolo Certo/Shutterstock ‘Made from a semolina dough that is generally dyed with a little saffron,’ these little dumplings have an elongated, graceful conch form that is ridged on the exterior to capture sauce,’ states the Geometry of Pasta. “They are served with sauce on the side.”
Garganelli is also called maccheroni al pettine. It’s a ridged form of pasta that looks like a wrap.
Garganelli. Euripides/Shutterstock “Typical garganelli pasta recipes involve serving it with a meat ragu, which is often Bolognese or alla salsiccia (with sausage),” according to the Pasta Project website. Garganelli derive their name from the Italian word for esophagus, “garganel,” which refers to a tube-like structure akin to a stoma.
Fileja is a Calabrese pasta that looks similar to casarecce, but it’s hard to find outside of Calabria.
Fileja. Ghischeforever/Shutterstock According to the Pasta Project, fileja is shaped like an extended screw and is “the ideal Southern Italian pasta for rich or spicy sauces.” One of the few forms of pasta that is traditionally manufactured without the use of eggs is rigatoni.
Cannelloni, or manicotti, is a large and hollow shell typically stuffed with meat or cheese.
Cannelloni.
Classic Stock/Getty Images courtesy of J. Graham Cannelloni and manicotti are similar in appearance, with the exception that cannelloni is smooth while manicotti has ridges.
Pipe rigate looks like a snail shell. It’s characterized by its two separate ends: one is open wide, the other is almost fully closed.
Pipe rigate is a kind of rigate. SunTime/Shutterstock According to Pasta Fits, it “pairs beautifully with chunky, cream- or oil-based sauces,” and “pairs favorably with meat sauces.”
Rotelle is known to Americans by another name: wagon wheels. Rotelle means “little wheels.”
Rotelle. UNYKA/Shutterstock Barilla describes rotelle as the “ideal choice for pasta salad,” and proposes that it be served with “light tomato sauces (with or without finely chopped vegetables), dairy-based sauces, or oil-based sauces.” Rotelle is also available in a variety of sizes. There is also a flower-shaped version known as fiori, which, of course, means flower in Italian.
Anelli, which means “little rings,” is frequently found in canned soups.
Anelli. Furiarossa/Shutterstock It’s National Noodle Ring Day on December 11, and according to Pasta Fits, “anelli aficionados may celebrate by eating annelli.” According to Pasta Fits, anelli is commonly found in canned soups in the United States, but it may also be found in an Italian meal called timballo, which also contains meat and cheese.
Calamarata is another ring-shaped pasta that’s named for its resemblance to squid, or calamari.
Calamarata. Photograph courtesy of Jiri Hera/Shutterstock Because of its etymological origins, it is occasionally colored black with squid ink and is usually served with fish dishes.
Foglie d’ulivo means “olive leaves” — see the resemblance?
Follie d’ulivo, courtesy of alpenkoch/Shutterstock According to the Agricola del Sole, it “pairs well with any sauce, both red and white in color.”
Lorighittas are known for their distinct braided shape.
Lorighittas. Photo courtesy of Rene Johnston/Toronto Star/Getty Images Food Republic states that lorighittas are “called after the Sardinian phrase for the iron rings used to hook horses,” which means “hitch horses.” Something is in the process of loading. More:FeaturesFoodPastadinner It denotes the presence of an expanding section or menu, as well as the presence of previous and next navigation choices.
21 Types of Pasta Every Carb-Loving, Comfort Food-Craving Noodlehead Should Know
Please consider this your comprehensive reference to the many sorts of pasta noodles and pasta shapes you may come across in your culinary adventures. Any pasta connoisseur or admirer of Italian cuisine knows that using the appropriate varieties of pasta can transform even the most basic of pasta recipes into extraordinary pasta meals. The right noodle exists for every sauce and dish, which is why restaurants maintain a variety of various varieties of pasta in hand. However, while grocery store shelves and restaurant menus are brimming with varied pasta names and forms, there are several basic concepts—as well as a few distinct varieties of pasta—that everyone should be familiar with, particularly those who consume pasta on a daily basis.
There are more than 20 different varieties of pasta listed here, each with photographs, a helpful chart indicating cooking times, as well as suggestions for optimal uses and sauce pairings, so you can select your perfect pasta and couple it with a meal that brings out the best in it.
(Alternatively, if you have a favorite pasta sauce, you can choose the ideal sort of pasta to serve it with.) You may learn a lot about making delicious, enticing pasta noodles from our tutorial, whether you’re just starting out in the world of pasta-making or you’re a seasoned professional.
Different types of pasta noodles
Noodles that are extremely fine and delicate. Preparation time: 3 to 5 minutes. Tossing with sauce is the best use for this. Light tomato, olive oil, cream, butter, and seafood sauces are all good choices.
2Elbow macaroni
C-shaped tubes that are short in length. Preparation time: 6 to 8 minutes. Baked dishes, salads, and soups are the best uses for this product. Cheese and butter are the best sauces to use.
3Farfalle (bow ties)
Bow ties are created by pinching the fabric in the centre. (The Italian term farfalle literally translates as “butterflies.”) Cooking time is between 10 and 12 minutes. Best used for: Tossing with sauce or adding to salads. Sauces that are ideal include: cheese, olive oil, and butter.
4Fettuccine
Egg noodles that are around 14 inches broad and spaghetti length are used. In English, the term “small ribbons” means “tiny ribbons.” Cooking time is between 10 and 12 minutes. Tossing with sauce is the best use for this. Meat, cream, and cheese are the best sauces.
5Fusilli or rotini
Spirals measuring approximately 112 inches in length. Fusillime is a Latin word that means “small spindles.” Rotinime is a Greek word that meaning “twists” or “spirals.” Preparation time: 8 to 10 minutes. Baked foods and salads are the best uses for this wine. Tomato, pesto, and seafood sauces are all excellent choices.
6Jumbo shells
Large shell forms with ridges on the outside and a large, open hollow on the inside. Preparation time: 11 to 13 minutes. Stuffing and baked meals are the best uses for this product. Tomato and cream sauces are excellent choices.
7Linguine
Noodles that are about 1/8 inch width and are the length of a spaghetti. (The phrase literally translates as “small tongues.”) Cooking time is between 10 and 12 minutes. Tossing with sauce is the best use for this. Tomato, pesto, olive oil, and seafood sauces are all excellent choices.
8Orecchiette
Small concave disk forms can be found. (The name literally translates as “tiny ears.”) Cooking time is between 10 and 12 minutes. Tossing with sauce is the best use for this. Sauces that are ideal include: meat, cream, and seafood.
9Orzo
pasta in the form of grains of rice (or barley, from which it gets its name). Cooking time varies between 9 and 11 minutes. Suggested uses: Salads and soups. Light tomato sauce, olive oil, and vinaigrette are all good options.
10Pappardelle
Noodles that are flat and long, roughly 5/8 inch in length. “Gulp down,” according to legend, is the name of the game. Cooking time ranges from 7 to 10 minutes. Tossing with sauce is the best use for this. Sauces that are ideal include tomato, beef, and vegetable.
11Penne
Tubes of a small size Cut on the diagonal, 2 to 4 inches long, with or without ridges, 2 to 4 inches long. It is pronounced “quills” or “feathers” in its original form. Cooking time is between 10 and 12 minutes. Tossing with sauce is the best use for this. Sauces that are ideal include chunky tomato, meat, vegetable, and cream.
12Rigatoni
Tubes measuring approximately 112 inches in length and 34 inches in diameter, with ridges.
(The term “big grooves” or “huge stripes” refers to the size of the grooves or stripes.) Preparation time: 11 to 13 minutes. Best for: Tossing with sauce or baking in a casserole. Sauces with chunks of meat or vegetables, cream, or cheese are ideal.
13Shells
Small shell forms with an open chamber can be found in nature. Cooking time is between 10 and 12 minutes. Baked foods and salads are the best uses for this wine. Sauces that are ideal include: tomato, meat, vegetable, cream, cheese, and vinaigrette.
14Spaghetti
Thin, circular strands of around 10 inches in length. Cooking time varies between 9 and 11 minutes. Tossing with sauce is the best use for this. Sauces that are ideal include tomato, pesto, beef, and seafood.
15Ziti
Tubes with smooth edges and a medium width that are 2 inches or more in length. It stems from the terms “bride” and “bridegroom,” respectively. Cooking time is between 10 and 12 minutes. Baked dishes are the best use for this product. Light tomato, olive oil, cream, and cheese sauces are ideal.
16Ditalini
Tubes that are short and narrow. ditalinime is an Italian word that translates as “little thimbles” in English. Preparation time: 8 to 10 minutes. It is particularly well suited for soups, such as minestrone, since it cooks fast. Soups made with tomatoes make excellent sauces.
17Gemelli
Gemelli is an Italian term that means “twins.” Each piece has the appearance of two thick noodle strands that have been knotted together. Preparation time: 12 to 13 minutes. Best for: Sauces with a high oil content that can be drizzled down the strands. Light tomato sauces, dairy-based sauces, and oil-based sauces are all good options.
18Paccheri
A sort of pasta that is big and tubular in shape. The original term, pacca, literally translates as “pat” or “slap,” which describes the sound the pasta produces when it is tossed with sauce. Cooking time ranges from 7 to 10 minutes. The best use for this product is in rich, thicker sauces or seafood dishes. A variation on this is to load it with ricotta cheese or other things before baking it. Sauces to use: Tomato and oil-based sauces that cover the sides of the pan with a slick film of sauce.
19Campanelle
A sort of pasta noodle that is cone-shaped and has ruffled edges. Campanelle is a French word that means “bells.” Cooking time is between 10 and 11 minutes. Best used for: Thick, creamy sauces. The thick ruffles are strong enough to withstand a heavy topping. Lacto-fermented sauces, such as béchamel, vegetable sauces with chunky vegetables, meat sauces, fish-based sauces, and robust tomato-based sauces are also good choices.
20Lumaconi
Lumaca is the word for “snail” in Spanish. Lumaconi (which literally translates as “big snails”) are distinguished by having one of its sides squeezed shut. Cooking time ranges from 11 to 14 minutes. Best used for: Hearty sauces with plenty of veggies. They are scooped up by the hollows in the pasta. It’s also possible to fill them and offer them as finger snacks. Ideal sauces: If filled, they can be served on their own without any additional sauces. If it doesn’t work, try hearty meat, vegetable, or tomato sauces.
21Reginette or mafaldine
a ruffly pasta that can be either short or long, named after the Italian princess Mafalda of Savoy. Reginette and mafaldine are French terms that mean “little queens” and “little mafalde,” respectively. Cooking time varies between 9 and 12 minutes. Toss with wilted greens or bacon for a delicious side dish.
The forms are complementary to one another. Sauces to use: Light, basic sauces, seafood sauces, or meat sauces are good choices. Infographic on the many varieties of pasta – different sorts of pasta chart Realsimple.com provided the images, which were illustrated by Melinda Josie.
The different types of pasta and how to use them
Pasta dishes are the third most popular evening meal in Australia, trailing only steak with vegetables and roasts in terms of popularity. Because pasta provides the foundation for hundreds of various flavor combinations, and there are many different sorts of pasta shapes that work well in different recipes, it makes sense to use pasta in this way. This also means that you may have a lot of fun experimenting with different pasta recipes in your kitchen. Continue reading to find more about some of the most popular varieties of pasta, as well as some of the greatest dishes to create with them!
Long pasta
A packet of long noodles is one of the most popular forms of pasta, and you can find one in practically any cupboard. They’re great for twirling, and they may be arranged in a beautiful nest form for a more elegant-looking bowl of spaghetti. Discover which sauces go well with each of these forms. It’s a classic for a reason, and spaghetti is one of the most popular dishes in the world. You may easily eat it because of its long, thin cylindrical shape, which is enjoyable to spin, and because it has a wonderful texture that you can dig your teeth into.
- Enjoyed all over the world, and possibly the most well-known of all pasta dishes, it’s the ideal way to enjoy this long noodle.
- Fettuccine Fettuccine is shaped like a flat, wide, and long rectangle rather than a thin, round disc.
- When making chicken alfredo or bacon carbonara, this is the noodle to use as a basis because it is so versatile.
- You can make this simple pasta dough and, once it has been flattened out flat, you can cut the pasta into long ribbons to create gorgeous, fresh fettuccine.
- It’s approximately as broad as spaghetti but as flat as fettuccine, and it’s versatile enough to go with a variety of different sauces.
Tube pasta
Tubular pasta has a hollow structure that is ideal for catching hold of a generous amount of your favorite marinara sauce. Short tube pasta is commonly used in pasta bakes and pastitsio, among other dishes. Penne These noodles are normally 4-5cm in length and sliced at an angle to mimic the tip of a fountain pen, which is why they are called fountainhead noodles. The hollow is roughly the same size as a pencil in length and width. It can be smooth or ‘penne rigate,’ which has ridges and a pleasant texture, and is excellent for retaining even more sauce than smooth pasta.
- Use this pasta in a carbonara pasta bake with meat and veggies for a delicious meal.
- It is used in many different dishes.
- Pesto, a simple sauce made from basil, pine nuts, cheese, garlic, and olive oil, complements the dish perfectly.
- Make sure to serve with garlic bread for extra yumminess.
- Elbow macaroni is a type of macaroni that has a bend in it at some point.
A classic comfort food or side dish, macaroni and cheese is one of the most well-known uses for this versatile ingredient. On this gorgeously saucybaked mac and cheese with a crispy golden coating, you may use normal macaroni or elbow macaroni for a different twist.
Other Shapes
There are an almost infinite amount of different pasta forms available, and each one has its own set of advantages. Here are some more common forms that do not fall into the categories listed above, as well as the dishes that may be made with them. Lasagne Lasagne is a type of pasta consisting of large, flat sheets of spaghetti. The basic layered meal of pasta, bolognese, and bechamel is known as lasagne, but there are many additional variations available, such asChicken and Mushroom Lasagne andRoasted Pumpkin and Spinach Lasagne, among others.
You should simmer your meal for 10-15 minutes longer than you would if you were using fresh pasta, or until the dried sheets are soft.
Because of the crinkle where it joins together at the middle, it’s good for retaining sauce when serving.
Try making this creamy chicken, bacon, and mushroom bake, which is complemented with the flavors of white wine and lemon, to see how it turns out.
Rotini or Fusilli are two types of pasta.
They have the appearance of little corkscrews and are a lot of fun to bite into, especially for small children who prefer to eat with their hands.
Having so many curls in the corkscrew-shaped noodles makes them excellent for soaking up a lot of sauce.
They are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from thimble-sized to large enough to occupy the palm of your hand.
They are frequently stuffed with a combination of creamy ricotta cheese and other ingredients, such as the pumpkin, spinach, and ricotta stuffed shells in this recipe for Ricotta Stuffed Shells.
They are a traditional Italian dish.
Because of their greater size, they are incredibly filling and comforting in recipes such as this Pizza Pasta Bake, which is perfect for feeding a crowd or a bunch of hungry children!
Their cupped form is ideal for retaining pasta sauce and other components, and their texture when cooked is softer in the center and a bit chewier around the outside.
Make this Orecchiette with Capsicum and Caper Brown Butter and you might just find yourself making it again and again!
They cook rapidly and are commonly used in soups and stews because of their versatility. They’re also delicious in salads and baked dishes, such as this 30 Minute Cheesy Chicken Risoni recipe.
Get creative with all types of pasta
The process of selecting the appropriate pasta form for your next dinner is a terrific opportunity to be creative in the kitchen and try something new and exciting. Having learned about some of the greatest varieties of pasta that you can serve on your dinner table, continue reading for a variety of other pasta dishes that you can make yourself. Enjoy!