9 Exciting Pasta Shapes That Bring Life to Simple Pasta Dinners

Pasta shapes, like most ingredients, come with certain norms: farfalle for hearty sauces, penne for baked dishes, and elbows for creamy mac 'n' cheese. But there’s no rule that says these are the only shapes that work. In fact, creativity in pasta is highly encouraged!

Turn dinnertime into an adventure by swapping in fun pasta shapes for your usual recipes. These playful alternatives will have your family excited to try something new and eagerly coming back for more of your homemade meals.

1. Gemelli

Gemelli gets its name from the Italian word for "twins." Though it may look like two tubes twisted together, it's actually a single s-shaped strand spiraled into a twin-like form. Try using gemelli instead of elbow macaroni for a fun twist on your baked mac 'n' cheese.

2. Cavatelli

Cavatelli are tiny, eggless semolina pasta shells that, if you look closely, resemble little hot dog buns. Switch out penne for cavatelli in this week’s Italian Sausage Penne recipe for a fun variation.

3. Mafaldine

Mafaldine is a flat, ribbon-like pasta with wavy edges on both sides, typically about one centimeter wide. It's often served with lighter sauces, so replacing spaghetti with mafaldine in a rich tomato-based sauce is a fantastic match.

4. Paccheri

Paccheri is a large, short tube-shaped pasta originating from Campania in Southern Italy. Often featured in Neapolitan dishes, it’s typically served with hearty sauces like ragu (a rich meat-based sauce) and has a smooth exterior. Swap paccheri for ziti in your next baked pasta casserole for a satisfying twist.

5. Cavatappi

Cavatappi is a macaroni-style pasta shaped like a spiral or corkscrew. True to its name, "cavatappi" means corkscrew in Italian. Its ridged surface helps sauce cling better, making it ideal for hearty dishes. Try using cavatappi instead of spaghetti in a turkey tetrazzini recipe for a fun, bite-sized twist that’s easier for little ones to manage.

Continue Reading: 9 Common Mistakes You Might Be Making When Cooking Pasta

6. Campanelle

Campanelle is a pasta shaped like a cone with delicate ruffled edges, perfect for holding thick sauces or for use in casseroles. Next time you're making fettuccine Alfredo, swap in campanelle instead of fettuccine. The extra sauce tucked inside each piece will surprise your taste buds.

7. Orecchiette

Orecchiette, a pasta from Apulia in Southern Italy, gets its name from its ear-like shape — a fun fact kids will love! This orecchiette pasta recipe requires just a few ingredients, is budget-friendly, and best of all, it’s a one-pan or one-pot dish for easy cleanup.

8. Radiatori

Radiatori are small, chunky pasta shaped like little radiators. While some say they were created by an industrial designer in the 1960s, they were actually invented between the First and Second World Wars. Try using radiatori in place of penne for a cozy baked penne dish — it’ll disappear from the pan in no time.

9. Conchiglie

Conchiglie, the shell-shaped pasta, is already a go-to for macaroni and cheese, but its larger versions are perfect for stuffing with meat and cheese. They're also great in baked dishes, as their ridged surfaces help sauce cling and their deep cavities hold filling. You know stuffed shells are a crowd-pleaser — give conchiglie a try next time!