The variety of pasta types seems nearly endless. It's incredible how a single food can come in so many shapes and forms. Pasta is one of the most versatile staples in any pantry — just boil water, add some pasta, and dress it up with a sauce and perhaps a bit of protein.
Despite its reliability, we often stick to the same pasta shapes repeatedly. Think of this as an invitation to explore new "pastabilities." Different pasta types are suited for various sauces and dishes, from hearty meals to lighter fare. Here's a guide to 27 different types of pasta, including their best uses and recipe ideas:
Instructions
1. Angel Hair Pasta
Delicate, thin strands perfect for light or creamy sauces. Avoid using with chunky sauces.
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2. Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle)
Long, hollow tubes that work well in casseroles, stir-fries, or with fresh tomato sauce.
3. Bucatini Pasta
Long, hollow tubes that work well in casseroles, stir-fries, or with fresh tomato sauce.
4. Ditalini Pasta
by Janneal Gifford.https://www.flickr.com/photos/18547358@N05/3000919161
Short, smooth tubes great for soups, pasta salads, and chunky sauces.
5. Egg Noodles
by Alpha, https://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/4371946103
Hearty and flat, perfect for soups, stews, and cream sauces.
6. Fettuccine Pasta
by Debbie Tingzon,https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilove9and23/14934020698
Long, narrow ribbons of egg pasta, typically served with cream sauces like Fettuccine Alfredo. Can substitute for linguine or spaghetti.
7. Fusilli Pasta
by su-lin,https://www.flickr.com/photos/su-lin/363932734
Thick, spiral-shaped pasta that holds onto thick sauces well and adds an interesting twist to salads.
8. Gemelli Pasta
by Like_the_Grand_Canyon,https://www.flickr.com/photos/like_the_grand_canyon/3698069101
Short, spiral pasta versatile enough for hearty sauces, baked dishes, or lighter vegetable preparations.
9. Gnocchi
Chewy potato dumplings ideal for rich sauces or light tomato-based and herb sauces.
10. Lasagna
by Olive Garden,https://www.flickr.com/photos/62438482@N07/5684794885
Wide noodles used in the eponymous baked dish, available in flat or curly-edged varieties.
11. Linguine
by Katherine Lim,https://www.flickr.com/photos/ultrakml/16506080100
Long, flat noodles slightly thicker than spaghetti, traditionally paired with clam sauce but versatile enough for any spaghetti dish.
12. Macaroni
by shamaasa,https://www.flickr.com/photos/67003333@N02/8517018491
Small tubes excellent for creamy casseroles like macaroni and cheese or in pasta salads, as the sauce fills the tubes for flavor in every bite.
13. Manicotti
by jeffreyw,https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyww/4122951176
Large tubes usually filled with cheese or meat and baked. Available with smooth or ridged surfaces.
14. Orecchiette Pasta
by Tom Ipri,https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomspix/6059302647
Small, bowl-shaped pasta that works well with vegetables and oil, catching bits of meat and veggies in its tiny indentations.
15. Orzo Pasta
by Herman Saksono,https://www.flickr.com/photos/hermansaksono/9626759844
Tiny, rice-shaped pasta ideal for adding heartiness to soups and salads.
16. Penne Pasta
by Sébastien Cevey,https://www.flickr.com/photos/theefer/3832168370
Tube-shaped pasta cut diagonally, great for chunky sauces as the sauce and ingredients slide into the tubes. Similar to the smooth mostaccioli or Penne Lisce.
17. Radiatore Pasta
by morguix1,https://www.flickr.com/photos/58521988@N07/8894273494
Short, ruffled pasta resembling radiators, perfect for hearty sauces or pasta salads with vegetables.
18. Ravioli
by jamieanne,https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamieanne/5587774639
Stuffed pasta pillows filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, suitable with sauces, in soups, or simply drizzled with olive oil.
19 . Rigatoni Pasta
by Mark H. Anbinder,https://www.flickr.com/photos/mhaithaca/5501558474
Short, grooved tubes that work well in a variety of dishes, from sauces to salads and baked casseroles.
20. Rotelle Pasta
b RDNE Stock project,https://www.pexels.com/photo/colorful-pasta-noodles-8963458/
Shaped like wagon wheels, these small, round pastas are playful for kids and add a fun touch to dishes like goulash or mac and cheese.
21. Rotini Pasta
by mad mags,https://www.flickr.com/photos/smiteme/5136930063
Spiral-shaped pasta that clings to vegetables in pasta salads and adds a twist to any dish.
22. Shells
by jeffreyw,https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyww/7463617348
Available in various sizes, from large stuffed with cheese to small used in soups and stews. Also known as conchiglie or cavatelli.
23. Spaghetti Pasta
by Alex Ranaldi,https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexranaldi/5778155266
Classic long, thin tubes that hold up well in hearty sauces but are also perfect with lighter options like olive oil and garlic.
24. Tagliatelle Pasta
by Stijn Nieuwendijk,https://www.flickr.com/photos/stijnnieuwendijk/12387567743 Stuffed ring-shaped pasta, which can be enjoyed with sauce, in soups, or simply drizzled with olive oil. Sometimes colored with ingredients like beets or tomatoes.
25. Tortellini
by paPisc,https://www.flickr.com/photos/papisc/2427984132
Stuffed ring-shaped pasta, which can be enjoyed with sauce, in soups, or simply drizzled with olive oil. Sometimes colored with ingredients like beets or tomatoes.
26. Vermicelli Pasta
by pointnshoot,https://www.flickr.com/photos/pointnshoot/1043912629
Thin strands of pasta, slightly thicker than angel hair but thinner than spaghetti, versatile for various dishes.
27. Ziti
by Anne G,https://www.flickr.com/photos/dolescum/8327967613
Slender, tube-shaped pasta that stands up well to hearty sauces and is excellent for baked pasta dishes.
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Nour Nouri
Food and Lifestyle Blogger
Hi ! I am Nour Nouri!
I share with you my experience in preparing various delicious meals that have always been well received in the environment in which I live, Western and Asian cuisine and other diverse dishes. Which I think you will like.
Chewy potato dumplings ideal for rich sauces or light tomato-based and herb sauces.
