Sr. Content Writer
The IL Forno team shares tips, guides, and stories from our kitchen, from authentic wood-fired pizza and fresh pasta to Italian food traditions and healthy eating choices. Every blog is reviewed by our culinary and content team so you get accurate, practical advice for your next meal in the UAE.
Have you ever craved pasta at midnight and gone to the grocery store to buy it? The moment your eyes land on the pasta aisle, you might have been jolted awake, like you were just there for your craving, but now you have to decide what to pick among the hundreds of tempting options. What’s even more perturbing is that you don’t even know half of them existed; most people don’t. So, if you are curious to know which one you should try next time, these 10 pasta types can be a good place to start.
This guide doesn’t just make you familiar with names but also tells you what sauce goes well with what and why these pasta types even exist. And by the time you are done reading it, you probably will know which one to pick for your next craving.
If you are in search of a classy, versatile and global favourite kind of pasta, then spaghetti is a clear winner. The unique shape of this pasta resembles long, thin strands, which somehow makes it a king among types of pasta. The smoothness of this pasta makes any type of sauce spread evenly across every strand. You can pair it with almost anything; it fits effortlessly with tomato sauce, garlic & oil, meatballs or seafood. And if cooking is not on your mind or not your forte, you can just order a spaghetti bolognese delivery.
This one on our list wins the best pasta shapes battle for holding sauces, with its short, tube-like formation that comes with angled ends. This pasta has a firm, strong shape that can’t be broken easily, which is also the reason why you can find it on almost all supermarket shelves and restaurant menus. The best part is, you don’t have to try hard to make it taste good. Among all types of pasta noodles, this one just needs to be tossed in anything, and it fits well.
Shaped as a corkscrew and also known as ‘spindle’ in Italian, this pasta is surely a kids’ favourite. The curves and edges of this pasta cover itself in the best way possible. That’s the reason why it becomes perfect for salads, casseroles and also for dishes that contain thick or fluid sauces. So, if you are looking to explore new kinds of pasta, then this pasta can be the best new pick.
This pasta makes you go in awe not just with the taste but also with the astonishing sight it serves. Farfalle sits high on the list of prettiest pasta types to serve with its bow tie shape. Plus, it has an amazing mix of tender and firm texture that comes from the fanned-out edges and tight mid-combination. It is best served with light cream, peas, mushrooms, chicken, or fresh greens. You can beautifully fit this pasta that comes among the most popular pasta shapes in both winter and summer dishes by changing its sauces.
Rigatoni pasta is shaped like a tube that has ridges and can hold sauces both inside and outside equally. This pasta is well known to add structure to slow-cooked and thick dishes like ragù, sausage and tomato, or thick cheese sauce dishes. If you are choosing one of the pasta noodle types, then this one is a crowd-pleaser. What’s the best part about this pasta? It never disappears below the sauce.
This one is often mistaken for spaghetti, but it is slightly wider and flatter than spaghetti. Linguine is often referred to as ‘little tongues’, as the subtle difference makes it a lot silkier. It tastes great when combined with seafood, prawns, clams, garlic, lemon or olive oil. Linguine can feel more expensive than most pasta types with a simple addition of olive oil sauce with chilli.
A Roman favourite, fettuccine is long, ribbon-like pasta that were traditionally made with egg and flour. This pasta is wide, flat, and soft enough to carry all sauces together, creating a tingling in your taste palette. Are you someone who likes to devour sauces made with cheese, mushrooms or butter? Then choosing the best type of pasta to add to your sauce is the best decision.
Tagliatelle shares its similarity with fettuccine but tends to be slightly broader and rustic. You can find this kind of pasta generally in slow-cooked meat sauces. The broad ribbons meticulously wrap around sauces, delivering flavour in each strand. If you are currently looking for different types of pasta that are beyond basics, then tagliatelle can be a great addition to the list.
Orecchiette are shaped like little ears, hence the name; these are basically made from a dough of semolina and water. The ear-like shape can also act like cups that scoop up cheese, vegetables, chunky tomato or sausage. This pasta is also built differently, soft at the centre and with slightly firm edges. And this one fits the bill if you are looking for shaped pasta that is built differently.
This one on our list is one of a kind. You can find lasagna sheets that are flat, wide, square pieces, made for layering. These layers absorb sauces without turning soggy, and when baked, they turn into soft, rich layers. No matter what sauce or ingredients you like in your lasagna, this one is the strongest type of pasta for a holiday gathering.
Well, each shape that exists today wasn’t just randomly created; each shape has its own purpose. Tubes are perfect for thick sauces, ribbons hold on to creamy and meaty sauces, spirals are excellent for pesto, small cups scoop vegetables, etc. That is the reason why you need to choose the right shape so it fits the flavour and balances a dish. You don’t just boil great pasta; you match it.
Also, along with the pasta types, texture also matters. Some are delicate, some firm, others built for cheese, and another perfect for broth. Once you learn which shape fits what sauce, your pasta game becomes unbeatable.
You can always let someone else do the work. If you find a good Italian restaurant, these pasta shapes can be unforgettable dishes. You can look for spaghetti bolognese delivery near you when staying in, and you can check out the offers from the best pasta in Dubai when travelling for food.
You can choose from spaghetti, fusilli, or penne that are easy to cook and great with any sauce.
Rigatoni, tagliatelle, and penne have a great grip on heavy ragù and creamy sauces.
Farfalle and fusilli can be a great pick, as they hold toppings well.
Fettuccine’s shape helps the cheese coat every bite.
Yes, there are hundreds of kinds of pasta that are made with different sauce styles.
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