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:
Delicate, thin strands perfect for light or creamy sauces. Avoid using with chunky sauces.
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Long, hollow tubes that work well in casseroles, stir-fries, or with fresh tomato sauce.
Long, hollow tubes that work well in casseroles, stir-fries, or with fresh tomato sauce.
Short, smooth tubes great for soups, pasta salads, and
chunky sauces.
Hearty and flat, perfect for soups, stews, and cream sauces.
Long, narrow ribbons of egg pasta, typically served with cream sauces like Fettuccine Alfredo. Can substitute for linguine or spaghetti.
Thick, spiral-shaped pasta that holds onto thick sauces well and adds an interesting twist to salads.
Short, spiral pasta versatile enough for hearty sauces, baked dishes, or lighter vegetable preparations.
Chewy potato dumplings ideal for rich sauces or light tomato-based and herb sauces.
Wide noodles used in the eponymous baked dish, available in flat or curly-edged varieties.
Long, flat noodles slightly thicker than spaghetti, traditionally paired with clam sauce but versatile enough for any spaghetti dish.
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.
Large tubes usually filled with cheese or meat and baked. Available with smooth or ridged surfaces.
Small, bowl-shaped pasta that works well with vegetables and oil, catching bits of meat and veggies in its tiny indentations.
Tiny, rice-shaped pasta ideal for adding heartiness to soups and salads.
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.
Short, ruffled pasta resembling radiators, perfect for hearty sauces or pasta salads with vegetables.
Stuffed pasta pillows filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, suitable with sauces, in soups, or simply drizzled with olive oil.
Short, grooved tubes that work well in a variety of dishes, from sauces to salads and baked casseroles.
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.
Spiral-shaped pasta that clings to vegetables in pasta salads and adds a twist to any dish.
Available in various sizes, from large stuffed with cheese to small used in soups and stews. Also known as conchiglie or cavatelli.
Classic long, thin tubes that hold up well in hearty sauces but are also perfect with lighter options like olive oil and garlic.
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.
Thin strands of pasta, slightly thicker than angel hair but thinner than spaghetti, versatile for various dishes.