27 Varieties of Pasta and How to Use Them

With so many pasta shapes to choose from, the options feel endless. Isn't it fascinating how one food can transform into so many forms? Pasta is a true kitchen staple — just boil it and add some sauce or protein for an easy, satisfying dish.

While pasta is a reliable go-to, we often fall into the habit of using the same types again and again. Think of this as your invitation to explore the pastabilities. Some pasta shapes are perfect for holding thick, hearty sauces, while others shine in soups or salads. Here, you'll discover 27 pasta types, along with ideas for how to use them and delicious recipe suggestions.

Photo by Anadolu Agency/Contributor/ Getty Images

1. Capellini (Angel Hair) Pasta

The thin, delicate strands of capellini (also known as angel hair) are perfect with light or creamy sauces, but they can get lost in heavier, chunkier sauces.

Explore our full collection of Capellini Pasta Recipes.

Garlic and Tomato Pasta | Photo by Dinogo Magazine.

2. Farfalle (Bow Tie) Pasta

Farfalle, or bow tie pasta, is a great choice for dishes that require smaller pasta shapes, like penne or shells. Its charming shape adds a fun touch to any meal.

Discover our complete collection of Farfalle Pasta Recipes.

Bow Ties with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cream | Photo by Elijah.

3. Perciatelli (Bucatini) Pasta

These long, tube-shaped pasta pieces, also called perciatelli, are both fun and distinctive! Perfect for casseroles, Asian stir-fries, or served with a fresh tomato sauce.

Bucatini Pasta with Shrimp and Anchovies | Photo by Kims Cooking Now. Kims Cooking Now

4. Ditalini Pasta

Short, smooth tubes of medium size, ditalini are perfect for soups, pasta salads, and pairing with chunky sauces.

Ditalini with Roasted Tomato Sauce and Goat Cheese | Photo by Baking Nana.

5. Egg Noodles

These noodles add a rich heartiness to soups, stews, and casseroles, with their flat texture making them perfect for cream sauces.

Quick and Simple Tuna Casserole | Photo by dustysun.

6. Fettuccine Pasta

Fettuccine, a ribbon-like egg pasta, is often paired with creamy sauces, such as the famous Fettuccine Alfredo. It's also a great substitute for linguine or spaghetti in various dishes.

Explore our complete collection of Fettuccine Recipes.

Chef John

7. Fusilli Pasta

This thick, spiral-shaped pasta brings a fun twist to any dish that typically uses spaghetti. Its spirals are perfect for holding hearty sauces, and it's also a popular choice for pasta salads.

Browse our full collection of Fusilli Recipes.

Italian Pasta Salad for Salami Lovers | Photo by CookinBug. CookinBug

8. Gemelli Pasta

A short, twisted pasta, gemelli is perfect for pairing with hearty sauces, baked recipes, and lighter vegetable-based pasta dishes.

Pasta with Peas | Photo by Tony.

9. Gnocchi

These chewy pasta dumplings, typically made from potatoes, are often boiled and paired with hearty sauces. Tomato-based or herb and butter sauces are also excellent choices.

Explore our full collection of Gnocchi Recipes.

FNChef

10. Lasagna

This broad, long noodle is not only the name of the dish but also the noodle itself. Lasagna noodles can be flat or have wavy edges, while Lasagna (the dish) is simply delicious.

Browse our full collection of Lasagna Recipes.

Photo by TheWickedNoodle.

11. Linguine

These long, flat noodles are a bit thicker than spaghetti. The traditional Italian pairing is with clam sauce, but linguine works wonderfully in any dish that typically calls for spaghetti.

Explore our full collection of Linguine Recipes.

Sweet Italian Sausage Ragout with Linguine | Photo by bellepepper.

12. Macaroni

Macaroni, a small tube-shaped pasta, is perfect for creamy casseroles like mac and cheese or refreshing pasta salads like macaroni salad. The tubes soak up the creamy sauce, delivering rich flavor in every bite.

Browse our full collection of Macaroni Recipes.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Ham and Peas | Photo by lutzflcat.

13. Manicotti

Manicotti, a large tube-shaped pasta, is typically stuffed with cheese or meat fillings and baked. The surface can be either smooth or ridged, adding texture to the dish.

Browse our complete collection of Manicotti Recipes.

Microwave Mexican Manicotti | Photo by bd.weld. bd.weld

14. Orecchiette Pasta

Orecchiette, which translates to "little ears" in Italian, is a small, bowl-shaped pasta often paired with vegetables and olive oil instead of rich sauces. The pasta's tiny pockets capture flavorful bits of meat and vegetables.

One Pan Orecchiette Pasta | Photo by Linda T.

15. Orzo Pasta

A small, rice-shaped pasta that adds substance to soups and salads.

Browse our full collection of Orzo Recipes.

Parmesan Garlic Orzo | Photo by KGora.

16. Penne Pasta

A two-inch long, tube-shaped pasta with diagonally cut ends. Perfect for pairing with hearty meat or vegetable sauces, as the sauce fills the tubes. Similar to the smoother mostaccioli, also known as Penne Lisce.

Browse our complete collection of Penne Recipes.

Penne with Chicken and Asparagus | Photo by CookinBug.

17. Radiatore Pasta

A short, chunky pasta with ruffled edges, similar to rotini. Its shape resembles radiators, which is where it gets its name. Like other hearty pasta varieties, radiatore excels when paired with rich sauces or mixed with vegetables in a pasta salad.

Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad | Photo by GodivaGirl.

18. Ravioli

These small, stuffed pasta pockets are filled with a variety of finely chopped or pureed ingredients, ranging from cheese to meats to vegetables. You can enjoy ravioli with sauce, in soups, or simply topped with olive oil for a lighter option.

Browse our full selection of Ravioli Recipes.

Photo by Kim.

19. Rigatoni Pasta

These short, ridged tubes—affectionately known as "riggies"—are versatile enough for a variety of dishes, from sauces to salads to baked casseroles.

Explore our complete collection of Rigatoni Recipes.

Rigatoni alla Genovese | Photo by Chef John.

20. Rotelle Pasta

Resembling small wagon wheels, these round pastas—sometimes known by that very name—are a fun choice for kids. Try them in goulash or mac and cheese to add a playful touch.

Explore our complete collection of Rotelle Recipes.

Hot Wheels Pasta | Photo by Chef John.

21. Rotini Pasta

These pasta shapes, resembling squashed corkscrews, are a hit with kids. They are commonly used in pasta salads because the grooves catch bits of veggies.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad | Photo by CookinBug.

22. Shells

Shell-shaped pasta comes in various sizes. Large shells are great for stuffing with cheese and baking, much like manicotti. Medium-sized shells work well in casseroles and with meat sauces, while the smallest shells are perfect for soups and stews. Also known as conchiglie or cavatelli.

Explore our complete range of Shell Recipes.

Photo by LYNNINMA.

23. Spaghetti Pasta

The quintessential long, slender tubes of pasta you know and love. Spaghetti is perfectly thick to hold up to a rich meat sauce, yet thin enough to pair beautifully with a cream sauce or even just a simple drizzle of olive oil and garlic.

Wedding Gift Spaghetti Sauce | Photo by Melissa Goff.

24. Tagliatelle Pasta

This long, thin, flat pasta is reminiscent of fettuccine. Traditionally served with rich meat sauces, but it also pairs beautifully with lighter sauces.

Tagliatelle with Coriander Pesto | Photo by.

25. Tortellini

These little stuffed pasta rings are perfect in soups, served with sauce, or simply drizzled with olive oil. They often come in vibrant colors, thanks to the addition of ingredients like beets or tomatoes for natural dyes.

Explore our complete collection of Tortellini Recipes.

Photo by Dinogo. Dinogo

26. Vermicelli Pasta

These delicate strands of pasta are thinner than spaghetti but slightly thicker than angel hair, making them a versatile option in many dishes. Also called spaghettini.

Discover our full selection of Vermicelli Recipes.