31 Different Types of Pasta and How To Use Them
Did you know there are as many types of pasta as there are days in the year? When you were a kid, you probably thought “pasta” was spaghetti because that was the only pasta mom made. Then Kraft introduced you to elbows, rotini and “wagon wheels.”
A dinner invitation from your Italian neighbors introduced you to ziti and manicotti. And then you discovered fettuccine and tortellini Alfredo at your favorite pasta restaurant. Yes, there’s a type of pasta for every year you’ve been alive and many more.
Why are there so many types of pasta? Is there a “right” and “wrong” pasta to use for a recipe? In general, all types of pasta are going to deliver the comforting carbs you crave. But with so many possibilities for dressing pasta up, it does make sense to learn about the types of pasta beyond the ones you’re already familiar with.
Some types of pasta shapes work better for certain applications than others. Your mother’s spaghetti and meatballs would not be quite as satisfying to slurp if they were made with gemelli. Lasagna wouldn’t be lasagna if it were made with cannelloni. While the traditional types of pasta you already recognize are enough for most of your cooking needs, it’s fun to experiment with different types of pasta now and then.
Jump to Section
- How Many Types of Pasta Are There?
- Long Types of Pasta
- Types of Short Pasta
- Types of Tube Pasta
- Types of Stuffed Pasta
- Other Types of Pasta Shapes
- Our Favorite Pasta Making Tools
How Many Types of Pasta Are There?
So, how many types of pasta are there? A quick internet search of this question will tell you it’s anywhere between 300 and 600 different kinds of pasta. In general, pasta is categorized into long, short, tube and stuffed pasta. Soup pasta, a smaller version of an existing type of pasta shape, is also considered a category of its own by many.
How can there be so many different pasta shapes? Think of pasta like a snowflake. No two pieces are ever truly the same. Because pasta was traditionally made by hand, there are infinite variations that a pasta maker can leave on their noodle. Pasta craftsmanship is a true art, so the possibilities are endless.
Pasta is also now made with many different ingredients, exponentially increasing the options for textures and shapes. The shape of pasta may seem like a small detail at first glance, but when the finished product hits your tongue and teeth, those subtle differences can dramatically impact how a dish translates.
You are probably already familiar with more types of pasta than you think. Let’s take a look at the 31 most common types of pasta and how they are used.
Long Types of Pasta
When you are ready to get your slurp on and don’t mind a little sauce dribbling down your chin, reach for a box of long pasta. There are endless recipes that highlight this pantry staple. If you’re tired of the same old jarred sauce, try participating in online cooking classes featuring pasta dishes to increase your repertoire.
1. Spaghetti
The type of pasta that needs no introduction is spaghetti. This is the OG and is still considered to be the most popular type of pasta. Spaghetti comes as a long, thin strand and is smooth. It’s a go-to for many easy pasta recipes.
How Is Spaghetti Sold?
Primarily sold dry, occasionally available fresh.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
It works with pretty much any type of sauce, although Italians may recommend avoiding heavy ragù sauces despite spaghetti Bolognese being popular in the U.S.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Spaghetti
Your mom’s spaghetti and meatball marinara is the most recognizable pairing with this pasta. Aglio e olio (pasta with garlic and oil), authentic cacio e pepe and traditional carbonara also work well.
2. Capelli D'Angelo
Capelli D’Angelo is known more commonly in English as angel hair pasta. It’s spaghetti’s dainty little cousin and is very similar to vermicelli. Call it by the fancy name or just call it skinny spaghetti!
How Is Capelli D’Angelo Sold?
Primarily sold dry, occasionally available fresh.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
It works with pretty much any type of light sauce and is often seen with seafood.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Capelli D’Angelo
Angel hair is so lovely and delicate that it is best served with a simple combination of olive oil, garlic and a pinch of crushed red pepper.
3. Fettuccine
This type of pasta is the ultimate comfort food. Long, flat fettuccine noodles are more refined than spaghetti, more delicate, yet fully satisfying.
How Is Fettuccine Sold?
Primarily sold dry, occasionally available fresh.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great for heavier sauces and can handle meat sauce.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Fettuccine
There is no question that fettuccine Alfredo is the most popular way to get your fix. You could even put a twist on the classic by trying a keto Alfredo sauce. Pairing this pasta with ragù alla Bolognese is also an excellent idea.
4. Tagliatelle
If you love fettuccine, you’ll love tagliatelle. These types of pasta noodles are essentially indistinguishable to most people. Tagliatelle is the same long, flat shape as fettuccine but just a tad thicker, giving it a little more bite.
How Is Tagliatelle Sold?
Primarily sold dry, occasionally available fresh.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great for heavier sauces and can handle meat sauce.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Tagliatelle
Tagliatelle with cream sauce and mushrooms or dishes using crumbled meats.
5. Bucatini
Bucatini is a less recognized type of pasta but one you should know about as it is commonly found on fine dining menus. Bucatini is essentially spaghetti with a hollow center. It has a smooth exterior but is slightly chunkier than spaghetti, making it ideal for thicker cream sauces.
How Is Bucatini Sold?
Primarily sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
It works with pretty much any type of sauce and handles heavy cream sauces well.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Bucatini
Try bucatini carbonara or use bucatini for cacio e pepe. A simple tomato basil pasta incorporating this type of pasta is also perfect.
6. Pappardelle
When you want to feel even more of that luxuriously flat pasta sliding across your tongue, turn to pappardelle. This long, smooth type of pasta noodle is almost an inch across. The size of this kind of pasta enhances its ability to cling to your sauce.
How Is Pappardelle Sold?
Primarily sold dry, occasionally available fresh.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great for heavier sauces and can handle meat sauce.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Pappardelle
The classic dish for pappardelle is Bolognese.
7. Linguine
Lovely linguine is another cult-favorite type of pasta. This is the most delicate version of the long, flat noodle. If you need a substitute for spaghetti, linguine is a good choice.
How Is Linguine Sold?
Primarily sold dry, occasionally available fresh.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Works with oil-based sauces and cream sauces.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Linguine
Linguine with clam sauce is an impressive but easy weeknight meal. Don’t forget the crusty bread! Seafood linguine is another good choice or pair this pasta type with scallop scampi or lemon ricotta pasta sauce.
8. Vermicelli
When the shelves are empty of angel hair, reach for vermicelli. Vermicelli is almost identical to angel hair and will deliver that lighter, more delicate result you want for fancy dishes. Vermicelli is also made with rice and is commonly used in Asian dishes. You’ll recognize rice vermicelli by its white color.
How Is Vermicelli Sold?
Sold dry. Rice vermicelli is reconstituted by soaking in hot water instead of boiling.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Use semolina vermicelli as you would angel hair. Rice vermicelli is perfect for Asian dishes.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Vermicelli
Vermicelli noodles are used in various hot and cold Asian noodle dishes or can be used with a light Italian pasta sauce.
Types of Short Pasta
Not in the mood to wipe the sauce off your chin? Let’s see what you can do with some of the short types of pasta that are also in your pantry. Never worked with short pasta? Consider signing up for cooking classes near you to learn more about them
9. Farfalle
Everyone falls for farfalle once they try it. It might look a little intimidating in the package, but this fun type of pasta shape quickly becomes a fan favorite. Farfalle is most commonly known as bowtie pasta in English and is also sometimes called butterfly pasta. The key to perfect farfalle is to get it just past al dente. Cook it any longer and it will have a sticky bite.
How Is Farfelle Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great for both cold and hot pasta dishes with a light sauce.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Farfalle
Farfalle works great with light sauces, such as pesto or tomato sauce, and in cold dishes like bowtie pasta salad.
10. Orzo
When you first look at orzo, you might think it’s rice because that’s exactly what it looks like. Orzo is a type of pasta that has a lovely, delicate bite and is often used in soups. This is also a great choice for cold oil-based pasta salads. The biggest challenge with orzo is cooking it just right. It goes from al dente to mush in less than two minutes, so keep an eye on the pot and test frequently.
How Is Orzo Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Used for soups and cold oil-based salads.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Orzo
This lemon orzo perfectly highlights the beauty of delicate orzo by pairing it with just lemon juice, mint and salty feta. It also works well in cold pasta salad dishes.
11. Fusilli
Fun fusilli is a popular type of pasta for kids. There’s just a pleasing sensation when fusilli crosses the palate. Sometimes called corkscrew pasta and very similar to rotini, the twists in this pasta shape make it ideal for holding on to sauces.
How Is Fusilli Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Excellent all-purpose type of pasta that works in many applications.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Fusilli
Try fusilli in any creamy, cheesy dish or with a spicy vodka pasta sauce. Roasted vegetable pasta is another great dish to use fusilli in.
12. Orecchiette
Adorable orecchiette is a great example of a type of pasta that works best in certain applications and not others. This small, disc-shaped pasta has ridges on one side that help a sauce to cling. But this type of pasta shape can get lost in thick sauces or meaty dishes, so save it for soups and lighter recipes. Be careful not to overcook this delicate pasta shape.
How Is Orecchiette Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great for soups and lighter recipes.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Orecchiette
Orecchiette with broccoli rabe, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic is a popular choice. However, most light sauces and vegetables work well with this pasta shape.
13. Campanelle
Campanelle is a lesser-known type of pasta shape but one that’s well worth adding to your recipes. It almost looks like a curly-edged piece of lasagna noodle that’s been rolled up. It’s fancy and fun and works well with creamy, rich sauce dishes.
How Is Campanelle Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Good for heavy cream sauces and mushroom dishes.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Campanelle
Creamy campanelle with mushroom sauce is a must-try!
14. Gemelli
At first glance, this type of pasta shape looks a bit like rotini but take a closer look. It’s really a single noodle twisted on itself to make a fun shape. Gemelli has a firmer bite than fusilli or rotini pasta, allowing it to stand up well to dishes with chunky meat sauce or vegetables.
How Is Gemelli Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Perfect for dishes that have lots of meat and vegetables.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Gemelli
Gemelli works well with light cream or tomato sauces, like sugo Italian tomato sauce.
15. Radiatori
Here’s another classic pasta shape that you will recognize by sight and not by name. Remember the cold pasta dish with the black olives, pepperoni and chunks of sharp cheddar that your grandma always made in the summer?
The pasta was crinkly and came in a package with orange, green and pinkish pieces in addition to the traditional color. That’s Radiatori. It holds up well to cold pasta dishes that need a lot of tossing and lasts longer in the fridge than other types of pasta shapes.
How Is Radiatori Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great pasta for cold pasta dishes with lots of ingredients.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Radiatori
Radiatori is ideal for tomato and meat sauces as well as pasta salads, like this vegetable-filled vegan pasta salad.
16. Egg Noodles
Nursing a cold? Chicken noodle soup or matzo ball soup with egg noodles is on order. Egg noodles are less starchy than other types of pasta, so they are more easily digestible. Just open your preferred can of soup or make a broth from scratch and throw the dry egg noodles in while it heats up. The egg noodle is also a super-fast weekend meal staple and is delicious with just butter and parsley.
How Are Egg Noodles Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great for soups or other light dishes.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Egg Noodles
Matzo ball soup or chicken noodle soup are classics for egg noodles. Try something different by adding them to tofu soup or wonton noodle soup.
Types of Tube Pasta
Tube pasta, like macaroni and penne, is commonly used in almost all households. These kinds of pasta shapes are perfect for holding sauce and for baked pasta dishes.
17. Macaroni
Most of us were introduced to elbow pasta in one of two ways. It was either the pasta of choice for the cold macaroni salad at your backyard picnic or you glued it to cardboard and spray-painted it in your kindergarten art class. Thank you, elbow macaroni, for that trip down memory lane! This type of pasta is a classic for picnic dishes and, of course, our beloved macaroni and cheese.
How Is Macaroni?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great all-purpose type of pasta, ideal for various types of pasta dishes, including hot and cold dishes.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Macaroni
Macaroni is best known for its use in macaroni salad and creamy macaroni and cheese. There are also many ways to elevate the classic mac and cheese, from crab mac and cheese to butternut squash mac and cheese. For a treat, try fried mac and cheese.
18. Rigatoni
You might be calling this type of pasta shape ziti, but true ziti is skinnier and smooth. Rigatoni is a fairly thick, tubular pasta with ridges. Rigatoni just sounds like pasta that can handle your heartiest recipe, doesn’t it? It also stands up well to baked pasta dishes.
How Is Rigatoni Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Great pasta for hearty recipes and baked pasta dishes.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Rigatoni
Baked rigatoni is the most well-known dish for this type of pasta. It also works well in meat sauce dishes, like sausage rigatoni or rigatoni Bolognese.
19. Penne
Penne is widely recognizable and is probably already in your pantry. This tubular type of pasta is defined by having a ridged exterior and slant-cut ends. It’s perfect for all kinds of tomato sauce recipes.
How Is Penne Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Excellent all-purpose type of pasta for tomato-based sauces.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Penne
Penne Pomodoro is a classic dish to make with this pasta shape. Give this type of pasta an American twist by using it in Buffalo chicken pasta.
20. Ziti
Cold, rainy days call for baked ziti. A hearty, meaty sauce and lots of melty mozzarella make this dish an ultimate comfort food. Ziti is rigatoni’s little sister. Smooth and with a little less bite, ziti is the standard by which all baked pasta dishes are judged.
How Is Ziti Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Perfect for use with tomato sauce and in baked dishes.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Ziti
Classic baked ziti is always sure to please. Five cheese ziti al forno is another excellent comfort food recipe to try with this pasta shape.
21. Manicotti
Manicotti is more classically found on traditional Italian restaurant menus. This pasta shape has ridges on the exterior and is slightly thicker than something like cannelloni, making it easier to stuff.
How Is Manicotti Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Used in recipes where it will be stuffed and baked.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Manicotti
Baked manicotti with marinara sauce is the most popular dish for this kind of pasta.
22. Cannelloni
The definition of true pasta love was the first time you discovered glorious cannelloni. It is most commonly filled with a ricotta cheese mixture. When done properly, it is absolute perfection. Adding shredded meats or other fillings is always an option.
How Is Cannelloni Sold?
Sold dry or fresh if already filled.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Cannelloni is usually used in recipes where it will be stuffed and baked. For that reason, make sure not to over-boil it or it will be too weak to stuff.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Cannelloni
Spinach ricotta cannelloni is the most common dish that this pasta will be used in.
23. Cavatappi
If the menu says it’s made with cavatappi, order it. This twisty tubular type of pasta is just downright fun to eat. Cavatappi is known by quite a few other names, like spirali or serpentini. You’ll often see chefs choosing this shape for pasta dishes that include pork sausage and broccoli rabe because it’s just a match made in heaven. It’s also a popular choice for fancy macaroni and cheese in fine dining establishments.
How Is Cavatappi Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Good for baked pasta dishes and also holds light sauces well.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Cavatappi
Commonly used in cheesy pasta bakes and baked pasta dishes. Cavatappi also holds sauces like pesto or alla vodka sauce well.
24. Ditalini
Ditalini are super-cute tiny tubes that make any pasta dish more fun. These guys may be small, but they hold up surprisingly well to hearty dishes and are one of the most popular soup pastas.
How Is Ditalini Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Best in light tomato sauce dishes or soups.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Ditalini
Ditalini is made for soup! It’s especially good in minestrone and vegetarian soup recipes.
Types of Stuffed Pasta
Stuffed pasta is like a present under the Christmas tree. You know it’s going to be good, but the anticipation adds to the excitement.
25. Ravioli
The classic stuffed pasta is ravioli. Whether it’s square (the traditional shape of ravioli), round or triangular doesn’t matter. It’s what’s inside that counts. Ravioli can have flat or fluted edges but is always smooth. The vast majority of us will be buying our ravioli pre-made, but those who have pasta making skills (and all the needed pasta making tools) may opt to make their own. The latter approach gives you much more poetic license on fillings.
How Is Ravioli Sold?
Sold fresh and frozen, already stuffed.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Goes well with a variety of sauces and fillings, like ricotta or light vegetables, such as squash.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Ravioli
Spinach ravioli is a classic, with other delicious dishes including mushroom ravioli, butternut squash ravioli or decadent lobster ravioli. For a comfort food treat, try fried ravioli.
26. Agnolotti
Agnolotti sounds sophisticated but it’s actually less complicated than ravioli. While ravioli is made from two sheets of pasta that get pressed together to create a filling pocket, agnolotti is the shortcut way to do it. This type of pasta shape is made by simply folding a sheet of pasta over on itself, meaning it is much easier to make than ravioli.
How Is Agnolotti Sold?
Hard to find in stores, you’re more likely to see it on a restaurant menu. If it is sold in the store, it will be fresh or frozen and already stuffed.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Typically filled with meats or vegetables. Goes well with a variety of sauces and toppings.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Agnolotti
Agnolotti with brown butter sauce and sage is a delicious option as are simple fillings like ricotta or butternut squash.
27. Tortellini
Perhaps the most coveted type of stuffed pasta is the tortellini. It’s sometimes referred to as tortelloni, although the shape of tortelloni is slightly different. There’s something about the shape that looks complicated, but it’s not complicated at all to love. Most often filled with just cheese, tortellini is the ultimate comfort pasta when paired with luxurious cream sauces.
How Is Tortellini Sold?
Sold fresh and frozen.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Goes well with a variety of sauces and toppings and is often filled with ricotta or other light fillings.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Tortellini
Various simple fillings can be used with tortellini. Try tortellini Alfredo if it’s your first time making a dish with this pasta. Opting for a comforting chicken tortellini soup is also a good idea.
28. Jumbo Shells
Any fan of stuffed pasta will love the jumbo shell. The jumbo shell is appropriately named because it looks like a large sea shell with ridges on the outside. The possibilities for stuffing this pasta shape are literally endless. Jumbo shells are used primarily in baked pasta recipes.
How Are Jumbo Shells Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Typically filled with cheese and used in baked pasta recipes.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Jumbo Shells
Ricotta stuffed shells are the most popular dish to make with pasta shells.
Other Types of Pasta Shapes
We’ve now covered most of your favorite types of pasta. Hopefully, you’ve discovered a few new types of pasta as well. However, there are many different types of pasta that don’t fit into our other categories but couldn’t be left off this list of different pasta types!
29. Lasagna
No list of pasta would be complete without mentioning lasagna. Lasagna is a sheet pasta used for layering all kinds of other goodies. It can be totally flat but typically has a cute, ruffled edge and is used primarily in baked pasta recipes.
How Is Lasagna Sold?
Typically sold dry in the U.S. but can be found fresh or frozen.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Use lasagna sheets in baked pasta recipes or occasionally fold them into other ingredients.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Lasagna
A classic lasagna with meat sauce and ricotta is the traditional way to use this pasta. But, you can try many variations, like a béchamel lasagna (which replaces ricotta with béchamel sauce), a quick one-pot lasagna or Instant Pot lasagna soup.
30. Rotelle
Rotelle comes from the Italian word for “small wheel” and is best known in the U.S. as wagon wheel pasta. This pasta shape doesn’t lend itself to recipes as easily as the pasta types mentioned above, but it's perfect for any kid-friendly or comfort food dish.
How Is Rotelle Sold?
Sold dry.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
Works great with tomato and cheese sauces.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Rotelle
A simple tomato sauce and cheese is perfect for this pasta. It can also be added to soups or pasta salads.
31. Gnocchi
You can’t pronounce it, but that’s okay. Gnocchi is a unique type of pasta because its starch comes from potatoes. When prepared properly, this rolled pasta is light and pillowy, yet it can stand up to heavy sauces and works best with bold flavors.
How Is Gnocchi Sold?
Sold fresh or frozen and may also be seen in the dry pasta section of the store.
Sauce Pairings and Types of Pasta Dishes
The best gnocchi is the one made fresh in a restaurant or at home by someone who knows how to do it right.
Most Popular Pasta Recipes for Gnocchi
Italian gnocchi with brown butter and sage is a classic preparation. It also holds light cream and tomato sauces or pesto well. Potato gnocchi with butter and herbs is extremely easy yet incredibly delicious.
Our Favorite Pasta Making Tools
While almost all types of pasta covered on this list will be available in-store, you can make many varieties at home. From tagliatelle and linguine to ravioli and gnocchi, all you need are some simple ingredients and a few tools, and you'll be enjoying homemade pasta in no time. If you're not sure where to start, here are our favorite pasta making tools:
- Anolon Gourmet Prep Chrome Plated Pasta Maker
- Fante's Grandma Luisa's Jumbo Ravioli Maker
- Anolon Teak 3-Piece Pasta Tool Set
- Fante's Cousin Liana's Gnocchi Board
- Fante's Cousin Elisa's Cavatelli Maker
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
If you’ve been sticking to the typical pasta staples, toss things up a bit by incorporating different types of pasta into your cooking. Going gluten-free? There have never been more options available, so you don’t have to give up your favorite comfort food.
When it comes to types of pasta, there’s a whole world of pastabilities out there to explore. You could even take a virtual wine tasting class to ensure you’re pairing your new favorite type of pasta and sauce with the best Italian wine.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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