A Guide to the Different Types of Pasta

A Guide to the Different Types of Pasta

Pasta is a beloved staple of Italian cuisine that has made its way into kitchens around the globe. With hundreds of shapes and sizes, pasta is incredibly versatile, lending itself to a wide variety of sauces, meats, vegetables, and cheeses. Whether baked, boiled, stuffed, or sautéed, each type of pasta has a unique texture and purpose. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular types of pasta and how they’re commonly used.

1. Spaghetti

One of the most iconic pasta shapes, spaghetti is long, thin, and cylindrical. It’s perfect for light to medium-thick sauces. The classic pairing is spaghetti with tomato-based sauces like marinara or Bolognese. It's also great with olive oil, garlic, or seafood-based sauces.

Best with: Tomato sauce, meatballs, aglio e olio, carbonara.

2. Fettuccine

Fettuccine is a flat, thick noodle that holds up well to creamy and rich sauces. It’s famously used in fettuccine Alfredo, a creamy Parmesan-based dish.

Best with: Alfredo sauce, creamy mushroom sauce, and hearty meat ragùs.

3. Penne

Penne are short, tube-shaped pasta with diagonally cut ends. The ridged version (penne rigate) is especially good at clinging to sauce, making it ideal for baked dishes.

Best with: Baked pasta dishes (like baked ziti), arrabbiata sauce, pesto, and chunky vegetable sauces.

4. Macaroni

Macaroni are small, curved tubes and are best known as the base for macaroni and cheese. They are also common in pasta salads and casseroles.

Best with: Cheese sauce, tomato-based sauces, pasta salads.

5. Lasagna

Lasagna noodles are long, wide sheets used for layering in baked dishes. They’re typically boiled or oven-ready and layered with meat, cheese, and tomato sauce.

Best with: Lasagna al forno, vegetable lasagna, white sauce and spinach combinations.

6. Farfalle

Also known as “bow-tie” pasta, farfalle are shaped like butterflies or ribbons. They are ideal for holding sauces in their folds and ridges.

Best with: Cream sauces, light tomato sauces, and pasta salads.

7. Linguine

Similar to fettuccine but narrower, linguine is a flat pasta that pairs beautifully with seafood. It’s a common choice for dishes like linguine alle vongole (with clams).

Best with: Seafood sauces, light cream sauces, pesto.

8. Rigatoni

Rigatoni are large, ridged tubes that are excellent for capturing sauce inside and out. Their size and structure make them ideal for hearty sauces and baked dishes.

Best with: Meat sauces, baked casseroles, chunky vegetable sauces.

9. Orzo

Despite its rice-like appearance, orzo is a type of pasta often used in soups, salads, and side dishes.

Best with: Broths, soups like Italian wedding soup, cold pasta salads.

10. Tortellini and Ravioli

These are stuffed pastas, usually filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables. They’re often served in broth, with butter and sage, or topped with tomato or cream sauce.

Best with: Simple sauces to highlight the filling, such as browned butter, light cream, or broth.

Conclusion

The world of pasta is as diverse as it is delicious. Whether you prefer long noodles that twist around your fork or tiny shapes perfect for soups and salads, there’s a pasta type for every dish and every taste. Next time you’re at the store or planning a meal, consider experimenting with a new shape—your taste buds will thank you.