The Ultimate Guide to Pasta Shapes and Sauces

Pasta is a versatile and delicious food that can be enjoyed in many different ways. There are hundreds of different pasta shapes available, each with its own unique flavor and texture.

Choosing the Right Pasta

When choosing a pasta shape, it is important to consider the type of sauce being used. Thick sauces, such as bolognese or arrabiata, are best with short pasta shapes that can hold onto the sauce. Light sauces, such as marinara or pesto, are best with long pasta shapes that will not overpower the sauce.

Cooking the Pasta

No matter what type of pasta you choose, be sure to cook it according to the package directions. Overcooked pasta will be mushy, and undercooked pasta will be tough. Aldente, which basically means “chewy” is the golden standard for cooking pasta, and something you should always aim for. However, do note that

The Pasta Sauce

With so many different pasta shapes and sauces to choose from, there is sure to be a perfect combination for everyone. So next time you’re in the mood for pasta, experiment with different shapes and sauces to find your new favorite dish.

Short Pasta

Short pasta is typically about 2 inches long and is good for holding chunky sauces and vegetables. Some popular short pasta shapes aswell as our best pairing include:

• Penne: These short, tube-shaped noodles are good for hearty sauces like bolognese and arrabiata. The best choice for our tasty Classic Spaghetti Bolognese.
• Fusilli: These corkscrew-shaped noodles are good for capturing small pieces of food, like vegetables or meat. For this pasta, we recommend our fantastic Sweet and Spicy Pasta Salad.
• Farfalle: These bow-shaped noodles are good for creamy sauces or salads. Fantastic for our Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta recipe.
• Rotini: These spiral-shaped noodles are good for hearty sauces or baked dishes. This is an excellent choice for our Taco Pasta recipe.
• Gemelli: These twisted twin noodles are good for light sauces or salads. Fantastic pasta type for our Pesto Pasta Simple and Tasty recipe.

Long Pasta

Long pasta is typically 8–12 inches long and is good for thinner sauces. Some popular long pasta shapes, as well as our ultimate recipes, include:

• Spaghetti: These long, thin noodles are the most popular type of pasta. They are good for light sauces like marinara or pesto. Good pairing for our simple to make and delicious Tuna Pasta!
• Linguine: These flat, narrow noodles are similar to spaghetti, but they are wider and have a slightly chewier texture. They are good for seafood sauces or cream-based sauces. Fantastic with our excellent Italian Chicken Pasta.
• Fettuccine: These flat, wide noodles are good for creamy sauces or dishes that are baked in the oven. The perfect pick for the wonderful Creamy Corn Basil Pasta
• Angel hair: These very thin, delicate noodles are good for light sauces or salads. This is the best paired with our simple and tasty The Viral Feta Pasta.
• Bucatini: These hollow, thick noodles are good for hearty sauces like carbonara. Perfect for our Classic Italian Pasta Carbonara yum!

Sheet Pasta

Sheet pasta is made into flat sheets that can be cut into different shapes. Some popular sheet pasta shapes along with our favorite recipes include:

• Lasagna: These wide, flat noodles are used to make lasagna, a layered pasta dish.
• Fettuccine alfredo: These flat, wide noodles are used to make fettuccine alfredo, a creamy pasta dish.
• Ravioli: These small, filled pasta pockets can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, meat, or vegetables.
• Tortellini: These ring-shaped pasta pockets can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, meat, or vegetables.
• Tagliatelle: These flat, wide noodles are similar to fettuccine, but they are slightly wider. The best option for our Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta, nomnom.

Dumpling Pasta

Dumpling pasta is made into small, round, or oval shapes that are filled with a variety of ingredients. Some popular dumpling pasta shapes, together with our tasty recipes, include:

• Gnocchi: These small, potato dumplings are often served with a tomato sauce.
• Ravioli: These small, filled pasta pockets can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, meat, or vegetables.
• Tortellini: These ring-shaped pasta pockets can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, meat, or vegetables.

I hope this blog article has helped you learn more about different pasta types and when to use them. Happy cooking!