30 Types of Pasta + Their Uses

With so many shapes—long strands, tube shapes, pillowy ravioli, and soft gnocchi—pasta definitely deserves its own guide. Enter 30 Types of Pasta + Their Uses. This list doesn’t cover every shape (because there are tons!), but it highlights the most popular ones you’ll find at the grocery store or in Italian restaurants! Plus some amazing gluten-free options too!

I just had to do it—I’ve put together a list of every type of pasta! So many times I’ve been at a restaurant wondering, “What is this pasta shape?” Haha. And of course, some shapes work better for certain recipes. You’ll find it all here, from classic's like spaghetti, and macaroni for mac + cheese to penne for pasta bakes, plus pillowy ravioli, gnocchi, lasagna sheets, and a whole lot more you may have never heard of!

Jump to:

• Long Pasta Types
• Short Pasta Types
• Filled Pasta
• Other Crowd Favorite Pastas
• Gluten-free Pasta Types
• Fresh Pasta vs Dried Pasta
• That's A Wrap On This Pasta Shapes Roundup!
• More Pasta Recipe Inspo
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

Long Pasta Types

Let’s kick off this roundup with the longer pasta varieties. These long, thin ribbons and strands are perfect for creamy sauces with just a hint of small, chunky ingredients. They really shine in dishes where they can hold their shape + texture!

Angel Hair

Angel hair pasta is a delicate, thin noodle perfect for light sauces and quick-cooking dishes.

Bucatini

Bucatini is a thick, spaghetti-like pasta with a hollow center, perfect for hearty sauces like Garlic Parmesan or this Shrimp Alfredo Bucatini Pasta.

Spaghetti

Spaghetti is a long, thin pasta that's ideal for a variety of sauces, from marinara to carbonara. See my Grandma’s Weeknight Spaghetti for the perfect sauce recipe!

Tagliatelle

Tagliatelle is a long, flat ribbon-like pasta that pairs beautifully with rich, hearty sauces like Bolognese. Its broad shape allows it to hold onto thicker, chunkier ingredients.

Fettuccine

Fettuccine is a thick, flat ribbon-like pasta that works perfectly with creamy Alfredo sauce or hearty meat sauces.

Linguine

Linguine is a long, narrow, flat pasta that pairs well with light, olive oil-based or seafood sauces like Shrimp Scampi Pasta.

Vermicelli

Vermicelli pasta is a thin, spaghetti-like noodle that works well with light sauces and quick dishes. It’s often confused with the Asian variety, which is typically made from rice and has a different texture + flavor.

Pappardelle

Pappardelle is a wide, flat ribbon pasta, ideal for rich, heavy sauces like ragùs and braised meat sauces.

Mafaldine

Mafaldine is a ribbon pasta with wavy edges that looks fancy on your plate. Its ridges are great for grabbing onto sauces, making every bite delicious.

Short Pasta Types

Short pasta shapes are the go-to for cozy, satisfying meals. They’re perfect for holding onto rich sauces and making every bite a little more delightful, whether you’re whipping up a creamy pasta bake or a chunky sauce!

Penne

Penne is a short, tube-shaped pasta with diagonal cuts, perfect for capturing chunky tomato or meat sauces.

Rigatoni

Rigatoni is a large, ridged, tube-shaped pasta that holds up well to thick, hearty sauces and baked dishes like this Spicy Vodka Rigatoni Pasta Bake.

Ziti

Ziti is a short, tube-shaped pasta with a smooth surface, perfect for baked dishes and chunky sauces. Its hollow shape makes it ideal for absorbing and holding onto flavorful ingredients, especially in pasta bakes.

Macaroni

Macaroni is a small, elbow-shaped pasta, iconic for making creamy mac + cheese.

Fusilli

Fusilli is a spiral-shaped pasta that’s great for holding onto sauces and adding texture to pasta salads.

Orzo

Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta, ideal for soups, salads, and as a rice substitute in various dishes.

Farfalle (also known as bowties)

Farfalline are mini bow-tie-shaped pasta, perfect for adding a fun shape to soups and light pasta salads.

Cavatappi

Cavatappi is a spiral, corkscrew-shaped pasta, great for creamy or cheesy sauces that cling to its curves.

Gemelli

Gemelli is a fun, twisted pasta that’s perfect for grabbing onto sauces. Its corkscrew shape makes it a favorite for adding a little extra flair to your pasta dishes.

Rotelle

Rotelle pasta, also known as wheel-shaped pasta, adds a playful touch to any dish with its distinctive, circular shape. It’s great for holding onto chunky sauces and is a hit in both pasta salads + hearty casseroles.

Campanelle

Campanelle is a pasta shaped like little bells or flower petals, with a ruffled edge that catches sauces beautifully.

Orecchiette

Orecchiettes are small, ear-shaped pasta, ideal for chunky vegetable or sausage-based sauces.

Ditalini

Ditalini are tiny, tube-shaped pasta, perfect for adding to soups and stews.

Conchiglie or Shells

Conchiglie are shell-shaped pasta, excellent for holding sauces and perfect for stuffing with cheese or meat.

Filled Pasta

Tortellini

Tortellini are small, ring-shaped pasta filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, great for adding to soups, serving with sauce or even in salad like this Caprese Pasta Cheese Tortellini Salad.

Ravioli

Ravioli are square or round pasta pockets filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, ideal for serving with a variety of sauces.

Cannelloni

Cannelloni are large, tube-shaped pasta, perfect for stuffing with ricotta and spinach or meat mixtures, then baked.

Jumbo shells

Jumbo shells are large shell-shaped pasta, ideal for stuffing with cheese, meat, or vegetables + baking like this Weeknight Jerk Chicken + Broccoli Stuffed Shells

Mezzelune

Mezzelune are half-moon shaped pasta, typically filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, and served with a light sauce.

Other Crowd Favorite Pastas

Gnocchi

Gnocchi are small, soft dumplings normally made from potatoes + flour, great with pesto, marinara, or cheesy sauce.

Lasagna

Lasagna are large, flat sheets of pasta, perfect for layering. See my Meatless Pumpkin Skillet Lasagna or Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup for inspo!

Gluten-free Pasta Types

You can enjoy all the pasta shapes mentioned above made without gluten, as there are plenty of alternatives to traditional wheat flour. Whether you're avoiding gluten for dietary reasons or simply want to try something new, there are many delicious gluten-free options to choose from. Some popular gluten-free choices include:

• Brown rice pasta
• Quinoa pasta
• Chickpea pasta
• Lentil pasta
• Corn pasta
• Buckwheat pasta
• Zucchini noodles (zoodles)
• Sweet potato noodles
• Rice noodles
• Shirataki noodles

These gluten-free varieties offer a range of flavors and textures, perfect for any pasta dish you love.

Fresh Pasta vs Dried Pasta

Dried pasta + fresh pasta each bring something special to the table:

Fresh Pasta:

• Has a very soft tender texture. It soaks up sauces beautifully and adds a touch of indulgence to any dish.
• It cooks up quickly, usually in just 2-4 minutes, making it perfect for those last-minute meals.
• Requires refrigeration and is best enjoyed within a few days, though it can be frozen for longer storage!
• Normally made with eggs + flour ---- it has a luxurious texture that's hard to beat.

Dried Pasta:

• Is a bit firmer and has a more neutral taste, making it great for holding onto hearty sauces + adding a satisfying bite.
• Takes a bit longer to cook, usually 8-12 minutes, but it’s worth the wait for its convenience.
• Available in countless shapes and sizes, from spaghetti and penne to fusilli and beyond. It's the go-to for everyday meals.
• Has a long shelf life and is perfect for stocking up your pantry, ready for any pasta craving.

Both types have their charm— is use fresh pasta for those special meals and dried pasta for my weekday everyday cooking.

That's A Wrap On This Pasta Shapes Roundup!

Well, my friends, that wraps up our roundup of 30 Types of Pasta. I'm certain you'll stumble upon a new pasta love or rediscover an old flame. May your kitchen be a haven of warm, cozy aromas, and may you find pure joy in crafting these pasta dishes!

More Pasta Recipe Inspo

So if you loved this roundup of 30 Types of Pasta be sure to check out more of my my fave pasta recipes!

• Creamy Roasted Garlic Kale Pasta
• Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Pappardelle
• Spicy Pumpkin Pasta Bake
• Cozy Sun-dried Tomato Pumpkin Ravioli
• Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
• Comforting Vegetarian Lasagna Soup

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you try any of these 30 Types of Pasta from this list or any other recipe on my website please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below or tag me on Instagram @Orchidsnsweettea_. I love hearing from you

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