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What are the most popular pasta shapes?
The first pasta dish that comes to your mind is likely some kind of noodles with traditional red sauce, but pasta can do a whole lot more than spaghetti and meatballs. For example, farfalle makes a great base for refreshing summer pasta salads and macaroni makes a hearty addition to comforting soups. Finding the right shape is more than whatever you have in your pantry. Each type of pasta has unique qualities that make it better suited to certain sauces, cooking methods, or accompanying ingredients. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular pasta shapes, plus how to pair them for a delicious — and nutritious — meal.
| Type of Pasta | Pasta Shape | Pairings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long | Capellini | Thin, round-shaped | Thin tomato sauces, broth, or oil |
| Fettuccine | Thick, ribbon-shaped | Cheese or vegetable sauces | |
| Linguine | Thin, flat, ribbon-shaped | Pesto or seafood sauces | |
| Pappardelle | Wide, thick, ribbon-shaped | Hearty meat sauces | |
| Spaghetti | Thin, round-shaped | Tomato or puttanesca sauces | |
| Short | Fusilli | Spiral-shaped | Meat or cheese sauces |
| Farfalle | Bowties | Tomato or light vegetable sauces | |
| Macaroni | Semicircular, curve-shaped | Meat, cheese, or vegetable sauces | |
| Orecchiette | Small, ear-shaped | Meats and white wine sauces | |
| Penne | Short, slanting, hollow, tube-shaped | Chunky tomato, meat, vegetable, or cream |
You may find that you’re using the same type of pastas for all your meals simply out of habit, but it’s fun to branch out and try new types of pastas or flavor pairings. You might even find a new favorite or the inspiration to put a new twist on an old classic. If you’re feeling ready to dive even deeper into the world of pasta, try making your own homemade pasta dough — it’s easier than you think!
