As tempting as a hot and saucy plate of pasta will sound, there are several types and shapes of pastas that you can use for different recipes. Some pasta recipes require using some particular shapes of pasta which not only enhance the taste of the dish but also help in creating a visually tempting food.
Pasta is a simple yet wonderful food item that is very popular around the whole world. Many countries, cultures and people make use of pasta in different recipes with different shapes. It is believed that pasta originated from Greece or Arab countries but in today’s world, Italy is the home to pasta.
Several different shapes and pasta sizes are obtained from the pasta dough which is then transformed into mouthwatering food by using different recipes. Here is a detailed pasta shapes guide that will provide our readers with information on the most commonly used pasta shapes. If you closely follow the pasta shape chart, you will know more about the pasta shapes and sizes that are used for particular types of recipes.
What is Pasta?
Pasta is a type of food that makes the base of various dishes. It is typically made with wheat flour mixed with water or egg and kneaded into smooth and leveled dough. The dough is then shaped and cut into different sizes and shapes according to the call of the recipes.
To achieve the final look and a cooked texture, pasta is boiled or steamed and then added to the desired dishes. Pasta is believed to have originated from Greece and Arab countries however, the modern look of the pasta is given to the world by Italians. Pasta is very commonly used in Italian cuisine which has made this tempting food item very famous across the world. Patsa is adopted in various other cuisines as well.
Different Shapes and Pasta Sizes
The world of pasta is vast and delicious. There are several ways to make this delectable food item that can be used in various types of dishes and cuisines. Pasta sizes and shapes often determine the choice of ingredients to be used in a dish. For example, if you are craving for some lasagna and willing to make some at home, then to stay completely true to the recipe, you are required to use lasagna sheets for the dish.
Ranging from long to short, round to square, pasta is available in many different shapes and sizes. To understand the shapes in a better way, we have compiled this pasta shapes guide which will help our readers to know about the commonly used pasta shapes along with their – difficult to read – names.
Pasta Shapes Guide
Linguine
Linguine pasta is very similar spaghetti, but it has a flattened shape makes it lie a little more luxuriously on the plate. The flattened surface also helps it cling onto light sauces made with cream.
Bucatini
Bucatini may look like spaghetti because it is long and thin, but unlike speghetti, it has a narrow hole down the center. It is thicker and reminiscent of a straw, a quality that makes it excellent for holding sauces.
Tagliatelle
Tagliatelle is a long, ribbon-shaped pasta that’s similar to fettuccine. In fact, this pasta is known as fettuccine in Rome and Southern Italy, while in other areas this pasta is referred to as tagliatelle.
This pasta is typically served with a rich meat sauce, like bolognese and is often found to be delicious with fresh vegetables as well.
Tortellini
Tortellini are ring-shaped pastas(or often said to have a shape like belly button) that are usually stuffed with cheese or meat. Tortellini are traditionally served in capon broth. However, they also make the perfect addition to a variety of soups and stocks.
Ravioli
Ravioli is a type of pasta that has a filling enveloped in thin, egg-based pasta dough. Raviolis can be square or circular and stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
Macaroni
Macaroni is a tubular-shaped pasta that comes in different lengths and sizes. This versatile pasta shape is used in a wide variety of dishes and is very commonly used. The most popular dish of this type of pasta is macaroni and cheese.
Fettuccine
Fettuccine is a popular ribbon-shaped pasta from the pasta shape chart that is typically served with thick, creamy sauces. It also goes well with cheese, meat, and tomato sauces that is usually rich in flavor.
Farfalle
Farfalle are shaped like butterflies or bow-ties with crinkly edges. This pasta type is also perfect for cold pasta salads and is quite a famous choice among kids.
Rigatoni
Rigatoni are a large, tube-shaped pasta with ridged edges. These thick tubes are strong enough to take on heavier sauces like Bolognese and is often used is baked pasta recipes.
Orecchiette
Orechiette are shaped like shells and their cup-like shape help to hold heavier sauces made with raw tomato. This shape of pasta tend to pack the sauce in the cups nicely, which also means that these shapes are perfect for a pasta bake.
Spaghetti
Spaghetti is a pasta type that is widely used and loved. It is a long, thin, solid, cylindrical pasta shape that is easily recognizable. It gives the satisfaction of chewing on a beautiful bundle of noodles that can be twirled around the fork and can be packed with a load of flavor and spice. Spaghetti is usually served with loose, sweet tomato sauces or the very light but punchy flavoured broth.. It is generally used as a staple food anywhere you go.
Penne
Penne pasta are tubular in shape. It is cut on an angle to resemble the nib of an old feather quill. There are ridges on the outer side of the penne pasta that helps thicker tomato or vegetable sauces cling to the pasta. This shape is commonly used in dishes like classic carbonara with a gorgeous veggie twist, or in an indulgent affair made with butternut squash and pancetta, or with a creamy base that is full of cheese and flavorful herbs.
Fusilli
Fusilli is corkscrew-shaped pasta that is good for holding onto sauces. It comes from southern Italy and was traditionally made by twisting spaghetti around a thin rod. Now that you know much about pasta with our Pasta shapes guide, share with us which is the most used pasta shape in your household.
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