LIFE IS ABOUT EXPLORING PASTA-BILITIES!
If you're a pasta lover or Italian food fanatic, you would know (or maybe not) that picking the right pasta can elevate a good pasta recipe into a mouthwatering pasta dish.
The number of different types of pasta seems almost infinite. Why so many kinds of pasta? Well, pasta-making is a form of art! The possibilities are endless and there's a perfect noodle for every sauce or dish.
Some types of pasta are excellent vehicles for rich and hearty sauces, while others are best suited for soups and salads. It's amazing what a difference the type of pasta can make!
The thing is, we tend to choose the same familiar kind over and over again, right?! The fail-proof, beloved spaghetti you have loved to slurp up since childhood, a hearty lasagna that never disappoints, or fettuccini and Alfredo sauce that simply go hand in hand.
While the traditional types you already know are great for most dishes, there is a whole spectrum of pasta out there, from rotini, gemelli, to lumaconi (bet you haven't heard about these before, right?!). Experimenting with different and new pasta shapes, can really bring excitement to your meals!
So, let's spruce up your Italian cooking skills and share more about 25 different types of pasta and how to pair them perfectly (focusing mostly on vegan options). We've sorted them in long, short, tube, and stuffed-form for your convenience.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PASTA
LONG-FORM PASTA
1. Spaghetti
Spaghetti is one of the most well-known types of pasta. It's long, thin, and cylindrical.
Best Use: Spaghetti works wonderfully with tomato-based sauces like marinara or bolognese. It's also great for lighter sauces like aglio e olio (garlic and oil) and pesto
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes.
Try this recipe: Quinoa and black bean meatballs with spaghetti
2. Fettuccine
Fettuccine is a flat, thick noodle, wider than spaghetti but not as wide as pappardelle. It is an easy substitute for spaghetti or linguine.
Best Use: This pasta type is perfect for rich, creamy sauces such as vegan Alfredo or cashew sauce. It can also handle heavier bean-type sauces.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes.
Try this recipe: Fettuccini with kale and romesco sauce
3. Linguine
Linguine is a flat, thin pasta, similar to fettuccine but narrower, and wider than spaghetti.
Best Use: Linguine pairs well with pesto, lentils, and light tomato sauces. It's also a good choice for a yummy sunflower cream sauce.
Cooking Time: 9-12 minutes.
4. Pappardelle
Pronounced pap-par-DAY-lay, these are very broad, flat egg noodles. When eating pappardelle, there is no space for dignity at the table ;-)
Best Use: Pappardelle is ideal for hearty sauces like ragu or rich vegan sauces like sunflower cream sauce. Its width allows it to hold onto thick sauces very well.
Cooking Time: 7-10 minutes.
Try this recipe: Lemon garlic pasta with sunflower cream sauce
5. Angel Hair
Angel hair or Capellini, which translates to "little hairs", are fine, delicate strands of pasta, even thinner than spaghetti. When you can't find angel hair, try vermicelli.
Best Use: Angel hair gets lost in chunky sauces but works well with delicate dishes with light tomato sauce, olive oil, and vegan cream or butter.
Cooking Time: 3-5 minutes.
6. Bucatini
Bucatini is similar to spaghetti but thicker and has a hollow center. They are quite fun and unique!
Best Use: The hollow center allows bucatini to hold onto sauces well. It's perfect for rich, buttery sauces, tomato sauce or a robust Amatriciana sauce. It also works great with stir-fry.
Cooking Time: 9-11 minutes.
SHORT-FORM PASTA
7. Penne
Penne is a short, tube-shaped pasta with ridges on the outside and cut on the diagonal. The word "penne" (in Italian) refers to the tube's angled ends, which resemble a quill pen's tip.
Best Use: This type of pasta is versatile and works with nearly any sauce, especially chunky bean or vegetable sauces. It's also great in baked dishes or served with tofu or chickpeas.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes.
Try this recipe: Creamy vegan alfredo penne pasta
8. Fusilli
Also known as rotini, fusilli are short, thick, corkscrew-shaped pasta that is always a stallwart to have in the pantry as it is very versatile.
Best Use: Fusilli's twists and turns hold onto thicker sauces well. It's perfect for pasta salads and works well with both creamy and tomato-based sauces.
Cooking Time: 11-13 minutes.
Try this recipe: Tuscan white bean pasta
9. Farfalle
Often referred to as "bow-tie" pasta, farfalle has a distinctive shape that makes for a visually appealing dish.
Best Use: Farfalle is great for light, creamy sauces or cold pasta salads. Its shape also makes it fun for kids' dishes.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes.
10. Orecchiette
Orecchiette translates to "little ears" due to its unique shape. Orecchiette is a great example of a pasta variety that shines in some dishes and falters in others.
Best Use: This pasta type is perfect for thicker sauces and works exceptionally well with broccoli rabe.
Cooking Time: 9-12 minutes.
11. Gemelli
Gemelli is short, twisted pasta that resembles two strands twisted together but it is actually just one strand twisted on itself.
Best Use: This pasta type works well with light, smooth sauces, or in pasta salads or baked dishes. The twists help to hold lighter sauces and ingredients.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes.
TUBE-FORM PASTA
12. Rigatoni
Large, ridged tubes of pasta.
Best Use: Ideal for baked dishes and hearty sauces. The ridges on rigatoni help sauces cling to the pasta.
Cooking Time: 10-14 minutes.
13. Cannelloni
Large tubes commonly filled with a ricotta cheese mixture and then baked. Cannelloni should not be overcooked or it will be too weak to stuff.
Best Use: Commonly stuffed with ricotta and spinach, then baked with marinara or béchamel sauce.
Cooking Time: 7-10 minutes (before baking).
14. Ziti
Smooth, tube-shaped pasta that is shorter and smaller in diameter than rigatoni. When compared with penne, ziti have squared-off ends (as opposed to penne's angled cuts) and are generally larger.
Best Use: Ziti is excellent in baked pasta dishes, especially those with a tomato-based sauce.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes.
Try this recipe: Creamy vegan sundried tomato pasta
15. Macaroni
Macaroni is a small, elbow-shaped pasta that is always a winner in creamy, cheesy dishes, such as the age-old favorite mac-and-cheese. We especially love making vegan mac and cheese with our Instant Vegan Cheez sauce.
Best Use: Best known for macaroni and cheese, macaroni also works well in cold pasta salads and baked dishes.
Cooking Time: 6-8 minutes.
Try this recipe: Baked vegan mac and cheez cups
16. Ditalini
Ditalini is a small, short, tube-shaped pasta that helds its shape well with hearty dishes.
Best Use: Ideal for soups like minestrone. Its size makes it perfect for spoon-friendly dishes.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes.
STUFFED PASTA
17. Ravioli
Ravioli is always a classic stuffed pasta. Two sheets of pasta are pressed together to make a pocket, and then filled with various ingredients. It can be square, round, or triangular.
Best Use: Ravioli can be filled with vegan cheese, tofu, or vegetables. They pair well with light tomato sauces, pesto, butter and sage, or even broth.
Cooking Time: 4-6 minutes.
Try this recipe: Tofu pesto ravioli
18. Tortellini
A true comfort ring-shaped pasta filled mostly with cheese but sometimes light meat or vegetable fillings too.
Best Use: Often served in broth, but also pairs well with vegan cream sauces or simple butter and vegan Parmesan. Try our delicious vegan parmesan!
Cooking Time: 7-9 minutes.
19. Agnolotti
It is made by simply folding a sheet of pasta over itself (instead of two sheets like ravioli), meaning it is much easier to make than ravioli.
Best Use: Typically filled with lentils or vegetables and served with a light butter sauce or in broth.
Cooking Time: 4-6 minutes.
20. Manicotti
Large, tube-shaped pasta meant to be stuffed with filling and then baked.
Best Use: Typically stuffed with cheese mixtures, manicotti pairs well with rich tomato or béchamel sauces.
Cooking Time: 7-10 minutes (before baking).
OTHERS
21. Orzo
Small, rice-shaped pasta. You would almost be fooled into thinking it is a grain! Orzo is delicate and cooking it just right can be challenging, as it goes from al dente to mush in less than two minutes.
Best Use: Orzo is excellent in soups and stews. It is also great for salads or as a side dish.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes.
Try this recipe: Basil orzo salad
22. Acini di Pepe
Tiny, round pasta shaped like couscous or peppercorns that it adds something unique.
Best Use: Best suited for soups, particularly Italian wedding soup. It can also be used in cold salads.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes.
23. Rotelle
Also known as "wagon wheels," rotelle has a playful, wheel-like shape. This pasta is usually one for the kids and not a five-star restaurant or dish ;-)
Best Use: Serve with tomato or vegan cheese sauce or use in salads and hearty soups. Its shape makes it especially appealing for kids or if you want to serve something unique.
Cooking Time: 9-12 minutes.
24. Cavatelli (Shells)
Cavatelli is a small, shell-shaped pasta. This pasta's shape creates a cavity that's conducive to clinging sauce.
Best Use: Excellent for catching tomato, vegetable, vegan cream, vegan cheese, and vinaigrette sauces and works wonderfully in baked dishes or pasta salads.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes.
25. Lasagna
A long, wide, flat sheet of pasta that can be flat or with curly edges
Best Use: Lasagna is layered with various fillings like a choice of protein, cheese, and tomato sauce to create the classic baked lasagna dish. A vegan lasagna (a favorite of ours!) is also delicious, with filling options like brinjal, mushrooms, tofu, or lentils.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes (before baking).
Try this recipe: Tofu ricotta lasagna
ELEVATE YOUR PASTA DISHES
Trying different types of pasta can transform your meals from ordinary to extraordinary. By understanding which pasta types work best with specific sauces, ingredients, and dishes, you can elevate your culinary creations and enjoy a wide variety of textures and flavors. Oh, and you'll also impress your fellow diners ;-)
Happy pasta making!
