Nothing can ever go wrong with pasta dishes made with various types of pasta. But, with so many versatile shapes and types, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you’re a newbie.
Creating mouthwatering pasta dishes is all about unleashing your creativity in the kitchen. But have you ever been curious about the captivating history and origins of your favourite pasta varieties? If you’re interested in learning more, check out our curated list of pasta types!
Pappardelle
Pappardelle is a broad, flat, ribbon-like pasta that falls under the “wide-shaped pasta” category. Its origins date back to the 14th century in Tuscany, where it was traditionally enjoyed during special occasions. Over time, this pasta has spread to various regions and become a beloved choice for many.
Its wide shape and slightly rough texture make it perfect for holding onto rich, hearty sauces. Use this in dishes with ragu, mushroom, or creamy sauces.
Angel Hair
People believe this pasta originated in northern Italy. As you can guess from its name, angel hair pasta has a delicate, hair-like texture. This thin pasta is one of the lightest types of pasta available—even thinner than spaghetti.
Its slender shape allows it to cook quickly, making it ideal for pairing with light or fresh tomato sauces. We don’t recommend pairing it with hearty sauces with chunky meats, as the pasta would be too heavy to bear!
Campanelle
Full of history and tradition, Campanelle gets its name and inspiration from the lily flower, closely tied to Tuscany. The pasta, also known as “little bells,” has a fluted, petal-like shape that resembles a cone with ruffled edges.
Its design blends well with dishes with hearty ingredients like sausage, creamy sauces, or even vegetables. Plus, the slightly firm texture holds up well in baked dishes—you can even use it for mac ‘n cheese.
Spaghetti
Who doesn’t know about spaghetti? This iconic pasta takes its name from the Italian word “spaghetto,” meaning “little cord.” It is believed to have been introduced to Sicily by an Arab conqueror—just the right amount of thinness—and round, with a smooth texture that pairs well with various sauces. It is used in classic dishes like Spaghetti Bolognese, Spaghetti Carbonara, and spaghetti Aglio Olio.
Gnocchi
These pillowy potato dumpling buddies originate from northeastern Italy. The small, rounded bites are typically ridged to hold onto sauces, giving them a tender yet chewy texture, just like a pillow. Gnocchi is often used in dishes with rich sauces like butter and sage, tomato-based sauces, or creamy cheese.
Tagliatelle
Named after the Italian verb “tagliare,” which means “to cut”, tagliatelle originates from the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy. It’s famously served with a rich meat sauce known as “tagliatelle con ragù”.
This pasta has long, flat ribbons, similar to fettuccine but a bit wider. On top of that, it has a smooth, firm texture, perfect for any type of sauce.
Fettuccine
Often confused with tagliatelle, fettuccine is a classic pasta that originates from Rome, Italy. It’s shaped in long, flat ribbons slightly narrower than tagliatelle but still broad enough to hold rich sauces.
The most infamous dish with this pasta is Fettuccine Alfredo, where simple, creamy sauces made of butter and Parmesan cheese result in a comforting, warm meal. But don’t underestimate it; besides handling light sauces, it can also tackle thick meat sauces.
Fusilli
Fusilli, originating from Southern Italy, is a spiral-shaped pasta with deep grooves and crevices that are able to hold onto sauces nicely. The twists in this pasta are perfect for any type of sauce pairing, such as hearty marinara sauces. With a slightly firm texture, this pasta is also popular for pasta salads, where its shape helps absorb dressings and add a delightful bite.
Penne
Known for its tube-like shape with angled ends and ridged grooves, penne is believed to originate in Liguria, Italy. However, others trace it back to Southern Italy. Others also call it mostaccioli.
Its ridges make it perfect for holding onto sauces, though it is not as firm as fusilli. Penne’s slightly firm texture makes it versatile for various dishes. People’s favourite dish pairings are casseroles and other meat-chunk dishes.
Orecchiette
Orecchiette literally means “little ears” in Italian—you’ll understand its name once you see the shape. It originates from the southern region of Puglia. Though small, you’ll love the slight dips in the centre, as they work wonders in handling sauces. On top of that, the chewy texture complements your meal well.
Tortellini
Bored of plain pasta? Tortellini can be a choice, coming with meats like prosciutto or cheeses like ricotta and Parmesan. This ring-shaped pasta is from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, particularly known in Bologna.
The dough is tender but firm, perfect for holding the rich fillings. It sometimes comes in different colours, too. You can find it commonly served in a savoury broth or with a light cream sauce.
Farfalle
We call it elegant pasta, as it has a bow-tie shape—hence why people call it bow-tie pasta. In fact, the name “farfalle” means “butterfly” in Italian, resembling the wings. It comes from the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia area of northern Italy.
This pasta is especially suitable for kids’ meals due to its small size and cute shape. You can toss it with creamy sauce or combine it with pasta salads.
Pastina
Another kid-friendly pasta! In Italy, this is a nostalgic child’s first pasta. The tiny size makes it ideal for babies to be introduced to. That’s why many Italian households grew up with it. It’s perfect for soup, broths, and other comforting menus.
Lasagna
You might think, “Isn’t it the name of that famous dish?”. The answer is yes. The name for this sheet pasta is also the name for the lasagna dish. It was first known in ]’Naples and was initially enjoyed during special events. Nowadays, it’s a widely loved dish worldwide for any occasion with its layers of meat sauce and ricotta cheese.
Gemelli
Originating from the southern Puglia region of Italy, this pasta looks like a twisted rope. People often use it for light vegetable pasta dishes, baked dishes, and other pasta dishes with hearty sauces.
Ditalini
This medium-sized, very short tube pasta with smooth sides is similar to a mini version of ziti pasta. It gained popularity during the industrial age in Apulia, Italy, when the development of short-cut pasta like ditalini flourished.
Its small, smooth shape is amazing for menus like minestrone soup and pasta Fagioli. It also blends effortlessly into broths and sauces.
Bucatini
This hollow pasta is like a thicker version of spaghetti. Originating from the Lazio region of Italy, particularly around Rome, bucatini is featured in classic dishes like bucatini all’Amatriciana and is also popular in cacio e pepe, alla gricia, and carbonara.
The hollow centre allows it to soak up fresh tomato sauce and other rich sauces. On top of that, its thicker texture gives it a satisfying chew.
Linguine
Linguine, meaning “little tongues,” comes from Italy’s Liguria region, known for its seafood—hence why the pasta is often paired with seafood sauces. This pasta is like spaghetti but flatter and not as wide as fettuccine. Its shape is ideal for seafood dishes, especially with clam sauce or mussels like Linguine alle Vongole.
Macaroni
Macaroni, also called “elbows”, is a small, tube-shaped pasta best known for its role in creamy mac n cheese. Just like its name, it’s shaped like elbows and has a smooth or ridged texture that clings to sauces, making it perfect for baked dishes.
Though its origins are debated, macaroni became a staple in Italy and rose to global popularity in the 19th century. Today, it’s a favourite for comfort food, ideal for rich, cheesy dishes and hearty casseroles.
Manicotti
Try picturing penne pasta, but much larger—that is how manicotti is shaped. It is a large, tube-shaped pasta, ideal for stuffing with fillings like ricotta, spinach, or bolognese. It’s similar to penne but much larger, providing more space for rich fillings.
Manicotti can be either smooth or ridged, helping to hold onto sauces for a flavorful dish. Though an Italian-American creation, manicotti is inspired by the traditional Italian cannelloni. It’s most commonly used in baked dishes with various fillings.
Orzo
You might mistake it for a grain—many do! Orzo is a tiny, rice-shaped pasta from Italy, perfect for enhancing the texture of soups, salads, and starchy sides without overpowering other ingredients. Its smooth texture makes it ideal for orzo salads. You can mix it into a comforting soup or a refreshing salad.
Radiatori
Radiatori is a short, sturdy pasta from Naples, and it’s one of the most iconic shapes from the Campania region. Named for its resemblance to tiny radiators, radiatori has ridges similar to rotini but with a more compact design.
This pasta is great at holding onto thick sauces and works perfectly in soups. This is a great option if you want to add texture and style to your meal.
Ravioli
You’ll most likely find ravioli in most Italian restaurants; it’s a staple. It is one of the most well-known stuffed pastas, originating from Sicily in southern Italy. These pasta pockets, with their ruffled edges, are filled with various ingredients like ricotta, spinach, meat, or cheese. Plus, the tender texture pairs perfectly with light tomato, butter, or cream sauces.
Rigatoni
Rigatoni is a short, ridged tubular pasta from Italy, especially common in Rome and southern regions. Its sturdy texture is perfect for holding thick sauces, making it versatile for anything from baked casseroles to hearty meat or creamy dishes.
Rotelle
Looking for a fun twist in your pasta dishes? Rotelle, also known as wheel pasta, is the answer. Originating from Italy, its name means “little wheels” in Italian, reflecting its unique cartwheel shape.
This playful pasta is perfect for kids and a great choice for mac n cheese. With ridges that hold onto sauces, rotelle is ideal for creamy dishes or pasta salads, adding flavour and whimsy all at once.
Rotini
Another kid-friendly pasta option is rotini. This short, corkscrew-shaped pasta comes from Southern Italy and is similar to fusilli but with a tighter twist. Its sturdy form holds well in cold pasta salads and warm dishes with tomato, oil-based, or cream sauces.
Shells
Shells, also known as conchiglie or cavatelli, are a versatile pasta with ridges and a unique shell shape in various sizes. Originating from 18th and 19th-century Southern Italy, these pasta shapes are perfect for trapping sauces.
Why are they so popular? Their texture makes them ideal for holding onto creamy, tomato, or cheese sauces in dishes like baked pasta and mac n cheese.
Vermicelli
Vermicelli is a long, thin Italian pasta that translates to “little worms.” In Italy, it’s thinner than spaghetti, but in the USA, it’s thicker than angel hair. Originating from Campania, vermicelli is loved worldwide for its delicate texture. It’s perfect for light sauces, soups, and stir-fries.
Ziti
Ziti is a tube-shaped pasta, slightly larger than ditalini, commonly used in baked pasta dishes and casseroles. Known by various names like Boccolotti, zitoni, and ziti candelati, this pasta has a smooth texture that holds up well in hearty sauces.
Often found in Italian restaurants, ziti is the star of classic baked ziti dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The world’s rarest type of pasta is su filindeu, or “threads of God” in Sardo. This pasta is only made by a few women residents of the Sardinian city of Nuoro.
The world’s oldest type of pasta is testaroli, a native dish to the southern Liguria region and the northern Tuscany region in Italy.
The newest type of pasta is cascatelli, invented in 2021 by Dan Pashman. He described the shape as a short, flat strip with two sides: a bump on one side and two ruffles sticking out on the other.
Conclusion
Pasta offers endless possibilities with its rich history, unique shapes, and versatile uses. From classic favourites like spaghetti to playful options like rotelle, you’ll never get bored with this Italian dish.
Want to try delicious pasta dishes? Explore our menu and book a table at 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar. Join us to savour the authentic taste of Italy with our expertly prepared pasta and pizza creations!