How manytypes of pastacan you name off the top of your head ? The attic descend in all different shapes and sizes , and each one is design for a specific culinary role .

Some pasta shapes are perfect for hearty sauces , while others shine in easy sauce or parched dishes . Whether you ’re twirling thin Strand of spaghetti or scoop up up sauce with racing shell - shape pasta , the types of pasta you choose can completely change the texture and perceptiveness of your meal .

From delicate strands to big , tube-shaped structure - shaped pasta , the variety ofpastatypes is really a testament to the creativeness of Italian cuisine . Some pasta mixture are good served al dente with simple butter , olive oil or veggie sauces , while others work beautifully in creamy sauces and rich tomato dishes .

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Let ’s explore some of the most democratic pasta shapes and their proficient culinary creation .

1. Penne Pasta

Penne alimentary paste is one of the most popular on shelves , have a tube - shaped pasta with a carinated surface perfect for holding onto rich love apple or meat sauce .

Penne rigate , the carinated version , is especially great for adust alimentary paste dish antenna and full-blooded sauces . It is a staple inItalian cuisine , used in everything from cold alimentary paste salads to baked looker .

2. Fusilli Pasta

This corkscrew - mold pasta is ideal for capturing chunky sauce and creamy sauces in its twist and bit .

Fusilli col buco is a slightly fatheaded variation with a hollow sum , realize it great for hearty soups or pasta salads . Its singular bod permit it to hold onto a mixture of sauces , reach it a various choice for differentrecipes .

3. Angel Hair Pasta

Angel hair pasta , also known as capellini , is a lean alimentary paste with delicate strands that mate attractively with light tomato sauces or simple butter and olive oil . This thin spaghetti is traditionally serve with aglio e olio , a classical dish from northern Italy made with garlic and olive petroleum .

Because of its fragile nature , it is best paired with lighter sauces rather than chunky element .

4. Orecchiette Pasta

Orecchiette alimentary paste , meaning " little ears " in Italian , has a unique shape designed to scoop up sauces and minuscule ingredients .

Traditionally do with broccoli rabe and sausage , this pasta corta variety is pure for hold onto vegetable sauce . Its slightly curved form allows it to cradle fixings , make up every bite flavourous .

5. Lasagna Noodles

Lasagna noggin are long , flat pasta mainsheet with ruffled edges that help hold layers of sauce and tall mallow in office . These alimentary paste canvas are all-important for makinglasagna , one of the most beloved baked pasta dishes .

Their uncompromising nature allows them to support thick layers of core sauce , creamy bechamel and melted cheese .

6. Elbow Macaroni

A staple in American and Italian cooking , elbowmacaroniis common in baked dishes , pasta salads and hearty soup . Its little pasta soma and slimly curved physique make it hone for creamy sauce like macaroni and Malva sylvestris . This pasta variety is also used in cold alimentary paste salads due to its ability to hold onto dressings and ingredients .

7. Farfalle

Also make love as farfalle , bow draw alimentary paste is shaped alimentary paste with a playful , ruffled design that work well in both frigid pasta salads and warm dishes . Its slightly deep center urinate it ideal for holding onto creamy sauces and vegetable sauces . The name comes from its resemblance to a bow railroad tie , making it a fun addition to culinary creations .

8. Wagon Wheels

Wagon wheels , or rotelle , are pasta pattern that resemble modest rack , adding a playful twist to pasta dishes . This pasta is great for boneheaded love apple sauce and chunky ingredients because the spaces between the spokes help ambuscade sauce . It ’s often used in pasta salads or hearty soup for impart texture .

9. Conchiglie

Shell - determine alimentary paste , or conchiglie , is designed to hold sauce inside its curved variety , making it perfect for sunbaked beauty and creamy sauce . Larger shells are typically filled with ricotta and spinach plant , while smaller shells work well in soups and alimentary paste salad .

Their carinate surface enhance their power to cling to sauce , control every pungency is flavorful .

10. Thin Spaghetti

A more or less flimsy version of traditionalspaghetti , tenuous spaghetti is a great pick for light sauces like simple butter , olive oil or light ointment sauce .

This shuck - like alimentary paste is commonly used in dishes like cacio e pepe , where the chasteness of cheese and pepper allows the pasta ’s texture to shine . It ’s also a favourite for quick meal with minimum element .

11. Orzo

Orzo is a Sir Tim Rice - shaped pasta that is commonly used in Italian wedding soup and other red-blooded soups . Despite its small sizing , it absorbs flavors well and can be fake like Elmer Leopold Rice or traditional pasta . It ’s also a capital selection for alimentary paste salad , adding grain without overpowering other fixings .

12. Flat Ribbons

savorless palm like fettuccine and tagliatelle are perfect for pair off with thick , creamy sauces . Their slightly thicker structure throw up well against heavier element , making them a great match for Alfredo sauce and other deep pasta dishes .

These pasta type are traditionally attend with meat sauces in northern Italian culinary art .

13. Bucatini

Bucatini is a thick , spaghetti - like pasta characterize by its vacuous center , which becharm sauces .

Popular in classic Roman dishes like Bucatini all’Amatriciana and Bucatini Carbonara , it couple dear with red-blooded , racy sauces made from tomato , pancetta , guanciale or high mallow - establish fixings , pop the question a satisfying , chewy sting in every forkful .

We make this article in conjunction with AI engineering science , then made sure it was fact - checked and edit by a HowStuffWorks editor in chief .

Penne pasta

Fusilli pasta

Angel hair pasta

Orecchiette pasta

Lasagna noodles

elbow macaroni

Farfalle

Wagon wheels

conchiglie

thin spaghetti

Orzo

Flat ribbons

Bucatini