Learn more about this collection of 32 different types of Pasta including recipes that can brighten up anyone's day. Whether it is a bowl of steaming spaghetti for dinner or a comforting lasagna for lunch, pasta meals never fails to satisfy.
With its wide range of shapes and sizes, there is a type of pasta suitable for every craving and occasion. And its versatility allows it to be paired with various ingredients and flavors, making it a perfect meal for any mood or taste.
Pasta tastes great, and it's also incredibly convenient. It can be cooked in and stored for later, or it can be quickly prepared on the spot for a delicious meal on the go. This makes it a great option for busy days or when you want a meal that can be easily enjoyed anywhere.
In addition, its comforting flavor and versatility make it a must-have in any kitchen. From creamy sauce to classic tomato based sauce, there is a type of pasta and sauce combination that is sure to ease.
🙋 Frequently asked questions
How is dried pasta made?
Dried pasta is made by mixing durum wheat flour and water to form a dough, which is then shaped, dried, and stored. The drying process removes moisture and helps to preserve the pasta for an extended period.
Fresh pasta versus dried pasta
Fresh pasta is made with eggs, has a softer texture, and is cooked immediately after preparation. Dried pasta is made with just flour and water, has a firmer texture, and has a longer shelf life compared to fresh pasta.
Pasta is a wonderful food that everyone should enjoy because of its versatility, convenience, and timeless flavor. Below are 32 types of different kinds of pasta you can try out on your own.
1. Angel Hair Pasta
Angel hair pasta, also called Capellini by many, is a thin and delicate pasta.
It has a delicate texture and its mild flavor makes it a versatile option that can be dressed up or down to suit a variety of dishes and tastes.
It is usually served in long strands and is a popular choice for light, brothy soups, and sauces, as well as simple, olive oil-based dishes.
2. Bucatini pasta
Bucatini sauce is similar to spaghetti but has a hole running through the center.
Bucatini has a slightly chewy texture and a unique appearance, making it a popular choice for pasta lovers.
This thick pasta is often served in tomato sauce or in dishes with meat, cheese, and vegetables.
3. Fried Spaghetti Pasta
Spaghetti is made from a combination of durum wheat flour and water. It is a type of pasta that is long and thin with a cylindrical shape.
This pasta is typically boiled until it reaches the desired texture and then served with a sauce of choice, such as a marinara, meat, or garlic and oil-based sauce.
Spaghetti Pasta can also be paired with additional ingredients, like meatballs, vegetables, or parmesan cheese, to create a more substantial dish.
4. Cannelloni
Cannelloni is a popular Italian dish that is known for its rich, comforting flavor and its elegant presentation.
Cannelloni is often rolled into tubes and filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, or vegetables.
The filled pasta is then baked in a sauce, often tomato or cream-based sauces, until heated and the cheese is melted.
5. Fettuccine
It is an Italian cuisine staple made with durum wheat flour and eggs.
It has a flat, ribbon-like shape and is slightly wider than linguine.
It goes particularly well with creamy sauces, like the famous Alfredo sauce, or heartier meat sauce like meat ragu. You can also pair it with a variety of ingredients, like veggies, seafood, or cheese, to make a full meal.
6. Gnocchi
Gnocchi originated in Italy and is a popular choice for those who prefer a gluten-free or low-carb alternative to traditional pasta.
The pasta is small, soft dumplings made from a mixture of potatoes, flour, and eggs. They are known for their light and pillowy texture.
Gnocchi can be served with various sauces, such as tomato sauce, pesto, or creamy cheese sauce. They can also be combined with other ingredients, such as vegetables or meat, to create a complete dish.
7. Fusilli pasta
Fusilli is a corkscrew-shaped pasta.
The spirals of Fusilli also make it a good choice for pasta salads, as they are easy to grab onto with a fork.
Fusilli is often used in salads, casseroles, and pasta dishes with lighter sauces, as the shape of the pasta helps to hold onto the sauce.
8. Meat Lasagna Recipe
Lasagna is a popular traditional Italian pasta for family dinners and special occasions.
It is made up of layers of flat pasta sheets alternating with a filling.
The lasagna filling typically consists of thick sauces made from tomatoes, meat, vegetables, and cheese. The layers are baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, creating a hearty and comforting meal
9. Linguine
The word "linguine" comes from the Italian word "lingua," which means "tongue," referring to the pasta's flat and narrow shape.
It is a type of pasta that is flat and narrow, similar in shape to spaghetti but with a wider, flatter surface.
It is traditionally made from durum wheat flour and water and is often served with a seafood-based sauce or simple tomato sauce.
10. Pappardelle
Pappardelle is a type of pasta that is similar to fettuccine, but slightly wider
It is a long, flat chewy egg pasta that is typically about 1-2 inches wide.
Pappardelle is commonly used in hearty meat sauces, as the wide noodles provide a good surface area for the sauce to cling to. The pasta is also often served with lighter sauces made with vegetables, cheese, or seafood.
11. Gemelli Pasta
Gemelli is a versatile pasta that is popular for its unique shape and its ability to hold onto sauces and other ingredients.
It is shaped like a twisted, spiral rope about 1-2 inches long.
Gemelli is often used in pasta salads and light sauces, as the twisted shape helps to hold onto the sauce. The pasta is also sometimes used in chunky meat sauces, where its unique shape adds an interesting texture to the dish.
12. Orzo pasta
Orzo is a versatile pasta that is popular for its unique shape and ability to absorb flavors from the other ingredients in a dish.
It is shaped like rice grains.
It is a small, rice-shaped pasta that is often used in salads, soups, and casseroles.
13. Filled Pasta
Filled pasta is a staple of Italian cuisine and is widely enjoyed for its versatility and delicious taste.
This stuffed pasta has in it, a variety of fillings, such as cheese, meats, vegetables, or a mixture of these ingredients. Some of the most common types of filled pasta include ravioli, tortellini, and cannelloni
These dishes are often served with sauces, such as tomato sauces or cream sauces, and are known for their rich, comforting flavors.
14. Egg Noodles
This pasta is a staple of many cuisines, including Chinese, German, and Jewish cuisine.
They are known for their tender texture and rich, eggy flavor.
The exact ingredients and preparation methods can vary depending on the region, but they are generally considered versatile and flavorful types of pasta.
15. Stuffed Rigatoni
Rigatoni is a staple of Italian cuisine and is widely enjoyed for its versatility and delicious taste.
It is shaped like a tube, with ridges running along the outside of the tube. It is also often used in a hearty sauce, as the ridges help to hold onto the sauce.
Rigatoni is also sometimes used in baked pasta dishes, where it provides a good surface area for sauces and cheese to cling to. The ridges also provide a nice texture to the pasta, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a little extra texture in their pasta dishes.
16. Olive Garden Toasted Ravioli.
Ravioli is a popular delicious dish in Italian cuisine and is often served as a main course or as an appetizer.
Ravioli consists of a filling, such as cheese, meat, or vegetables, encased in a thin layer of pasta dough and sealed around the edges.
The filled pasta is then boiled until cooked and served with tomato sauce or butter and cheese sauce.
17. Vermicelli pasta
Vermicelli is popular in Asian cuisine, particularly in dishes such as Vietnamese pho, which is used as a base for soup.
The thin, delicate texture of vermicelli makes it a good choice for light, flavorful dishes, as it cooks quickly and absorbs flavors well.
Vermicelli is also sometimes used in sweet dishes, such as rice pudding, where it is cooked with sugar and milk to create a creamy, sweet dessert.
18. Four Cheese Manicotti
Manicotti is a popular Italian dish that is known for its rich, comforting flavor and elegant presentation.
It is shaped like large tubes or cannelloni which is typically stuffed with a mixture of cheese, vegetable, or meat filling, and then baked in a sauce.
Manicotti is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of fillings and sauces to suit a wide range of tastes.
19. Udon pasta
Udon is a staple of Japanese cuisine and, it is made from wheat flour and water.
This thick, chewy noodle is typically served in a hot soup or stir-fried with vegetables and meat and is enjoyed for its comforting, hearty flavor and satisfying texture.
Udon is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in various dishes and found in many Asian grocery stores.
20. Easy Penne Alla Cabornara
Penne is a staple of Italian cuisine and is widely enjoyed for its delicious taste and versatility.
Penne pasta is shaped like tubes with diagonal cuts at the ends. It is a medium-sized pasta that is typically about 2 inches long and is one of the most popular types of pasta in the world.
Penne is known for its versatility and is often used in various dishes, including pasta salads, baked dishes, and sauces. It goes well with mozzarella cheese.
21. Pastina
Pastina is a staple of Italian cuisine and is widely enjoyed for its versatility and delicious taste.
It is small and very finely cut. The small size of the pasta makes it ideal for light, flavorful soups and broths, and it is a popular choice for both adults and children.
It is often used in soups and broths, as it cooks quickly and provides a delicate texture to the liquid.
22. Tortellini
Tortellini is a type of fresh pasta that is typically made by wrapping a small amount of filling in a thin pasta dough.
It is a type of filled pasta that is shaped like small rings or twists. The resulting tortellini have a delicate, tender texture and a rich, flavorful filling.
It is a traditional Italian dish that is typically filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, and served in broth or with a sauce.
23. Lumache
The name "lumache" is derived from the Italian word for "snail," which describes the pasta's distinctive shape.
Lumache resembles a snail shell in shape. It is typically large and has a ridged surface, making it well-suited for holding onto sauces.
Lumache is often used in hearty, meaty sauces, as well as in baked pasta dishes.
24. Anelli
The name "anelli" is the word used for "rings," in Italy.
It resembles a ring or a small donut shape.
It is small in size and is often used in soup or brothy dishes, as well as in pasta salads. Anelli can also be used in a baked pasta dish or with chunky sauces that can fill the center of the pasta rings.
25. Conchiglie
The name "conchiglie" is derived from the Italian word for "shells."
Conchiglie is a shell pasta with a curved and scalloped surface.
This pasta is commonly used in baked pasta dishes or with chunky sauces that can fill the hollow center of the shell. Conchiglie can also be used in pasta salads or soups and broths.
26. Farfalline
The name "farfalline" is derived from the Italian word "farfalla," which means "butterfly."
It is a small, bow tie pasta that is similar in size to farfalle, but smaller.
It is often used in soup, brothy dishes, and pasta salads. Farfalline can also be used with light, creamy sauces or in baked pasta dishes.
27. Diatalini
The name "ditalini" is from the word "denti," which means "teeth." This refers to the small, ridged shape of the pasta, which resembles tiny teeth.
It is a tube-shaped pasta, similar in size and shape to small macaroni tubes.
It is often used in soups and broths, as well as in pasta salads. Ditalini can also be used in baked dishes or with sauces.
28. Campanelle
The name "campanelle" is derived from the Italian word for "little bell."
Campanelle is shaped like a small, bell-like flower or a cone with fluted edges. It is similar in size to pasta shells but has a more distinctive, sculptured shape.
It is often used in pasta salads, as well as in dishes with light, creamy sauces or with chunky sauces that can fill the hollow center of the pasta.
29. Barilla
Barilla is made from high-quality durum wheat flour brand of pasta.
is known for its consistent texture and delicious flavor.
Barilla comes in a range of specialty pasta, such as whole grain, gluten-free, and protein-enriched options.
30. Tagliatelle pasta
Tagliatelle is a staple of Northern Italian cuisine and is often enjoyed as a comforting and satisfying meal.
It is long and flat, similar in shape to fettuccine or pappardelle.
It is typically made from durum wheat flour and eggs and is traditionally served with meat- or mushroom-based sauces.
31. Soba
Soba pasta is a type of noodle that is traditionally made from buckwheat flour in Japan.
Unlike traditional wheat-based pasta, soba has a distinctive nutty flavor and a slightly chewy texture.
It is often served either cold in a salad or broth-based dish, or hot in a stir-fry or soup.
32. Cheesy Easy Baked Ziti
It is a staple of Italian cuisine and is often used in baked pasta dishes, casseroles, and pasta salads.
Baked Ziti is similar in shape to penne, but longer and a tubular pasta with straight edges and a smooth surface.
Types of Pasta Takeaway
When it comes to pasta, the options are endless! From dry to fresh, filled to specialty, there's a pasta shape and form for every taste preference. I love the simplicity of dried pasta made from just flour and water, while fresh pasta made with eggs has a unique and delicate texture.
🍳 Related Recipes
The different shapes and sauces make it easy to switch up your pasta game and enjoy a delicious meal every time. For more ideas check out my leftover pasta recipes.
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