List of pasta


There are many different varieties of pasta. They are usually sorted by size, being long, short, stuffed, cooked in broth, stretched or in dumpling-like form. Yet, due to the variety of shapes and regional variants, "one man's gnocchetto can be another's strascinato".
Some pasta varieties are uniquely regional and not widely known; many types have different names based on region or language. For example, the cut rotelle is also called ruote in Italy and wagon wheels in the United States. Manufacturers and cooks often invent new shapes of pasta, or may rename pre-existing shapes for marketing reasons.
Italian pasta names often end with the masculine plural suffixes -ini, -elli, -illi, -etti or the feminine plurals -ine, -elle etc., all conveying the sense of "little"; or with -oni, -one, meaning "large". Other suffixes like -otti and -acci may also occur. In Italian, all pasta type names are plural.
Each pasta has its own unique purpose. For example, penne and fusilli can hold more sauces than spaghetti due to their hollow shapes. Additionally, the choice of pasta can be used to complement the consistency of sauces used in the cooking process. These choices, however, are mostly due to tradition and habits.

Long- and medium-length pasta

Long pasta may be made by extrusion or rolling and cutting.
ImageTypeDescriptionTranslationSynonymsOrigin or main area of consumption
BarbineThin strands, often coiled into nestsLittle beardsBarbina
BavetteNarrower version of tagliatelleBibsBaverine, bavettine, lasagneddi Liguria
BigoliThick, softer, spaghetti-like pasta. Made with whole wheat rather than durum. Sometimes made with duck egg.From bigolaro, the pasta press used to make bigoliFusarioiVeneto
BucatiniThick spaghetti-like pasta with a hole running through the centerHollow straws Translated from buco, meaning "hole", and bucato, meaning "pierced".Boccoloti, perciatellini, foratini, fidelini bucati, fide bucate, agoni bucati, spilloni bucatiLazio
Busiate Type of long macaroni. Often coiled around a twig of local weed.From busa, meaning "reed".Subioti, fusarioi, maccheroni bobbesi, busa, ciuffolitti, gnocchi del ferroSicily Sardinia
CapelliniVery thin spaghetti, often coiled into nests. Capelli d'angelo are slightly thinner.Thin hair, little hairAngel Hair, Capelli d'angelo, cabellos de angel, capelvenere, fidelini, fedelini, cappellini, sopracappellini, capellini fini, bassetti, tagliolini a nido, barbine a nido, ramicia, vrimiciddiLiguria
FedeliniVery thin spaghettiLittle faithful ones
FerrazuoliSimilar to a twisted buccato with a cleft running on the sidePossibly from the thin iron square used to create the cleft CannucceCalabria
FettuccineRibbon of pasta approximately 6.5 millimeters wide. Larger and thicker than tagliatelleLittle ribbons: from affettare, "to slice".Lasagnette, fettucce, ramicce, sagneRome
FilejaElongated screw.filleda, filateddhi, filatelli, fusilli avellinesi, maccaruni aru ferru, ricci di donnaVibo Valentia, Avellino
LinguineFlattened spaghettiLittle tonguesBavettine, bavette fini, radichini, linguettine
LaganeWide pastaLasagnoni, Bardele
LasagnaSquare or rectangle sheets of pasta that sometimes have fluted edges. The square of pasta is lasagna while the dish is lasagnePossibly from Latin lasanum or Greek lasonon, "Cooking pot", or the Greco-Roman laganum, a flat piece of bread.bardele, lasagnoni ; capellasci ; sagne ; lagana ; the fluted version can also be doppio festone, sciabo, sciablo
LasagnetteNarrower version of LasagnaLittle lasagna
LasagnotteLonger version of LasagnaBigger lasagna
Maccheroni alla molinaraVery thick, long, hand-pulled pasta.The miller’s wife’s pastaAbruzzo
Maccheroncini di CampofiloneThin strands of egg-based pasta. Similar to Capelli d'angelo.Marche
MafaldeLong rectangular ribbons with ruffled sides.Named in honor of Princess Mafalda of SavoyReginette, frese, tagliatelle nervate, signorine, trinette, ricciarelle, sfresatine, nastri, nastriniNaples
MatricianiSimilar to perciatelli, but folded over rather than hollowed out
PappardelleThick flat ribbons of egg-based doughFrom Tuscan papparsi, "to pig out".Papparelle, paparele ; paspardelle Tuscany and northern Italy
Perciatelli"Virtually identical to bucatini"From perciare, "to hollow"Maccheroncelli, Maccheronicini, Mezzanelli, Long MacaroniCampania
PiciVery thick, irregular and long, hand-rolled pasta.From appiciare, "to stick".Lunghetti ; pinci ; umbrici/ciriole Tuscany
PillusVery thin ribbons cooked in beef brothLisanzedas, a variation; large discs in lasagne-like layersSardinia
RusticheSerrated ribbonsliterally the feminine plural of rustico, meaning 'rustic'Apulia
Sagne 'ncannulateLong tube formed of twisted ribbonCaned lasagne
Scialatelli or scialatielliShort, flat ribbonsSorrento
SpaghettiA long, thin, cylindrical pasta of Italian origin, made of semolina or flour and water. Spaghettini and spaghettoni are slightly thinner or thicker, respectively."Little strings". Spaghetti is the plural form of the Italian word spaghetto, which is a diminutive of spago, meaning "thin string" or "twine".Fide/fidi, fidelini, ristoranti, vermicelloni, filatelli, vermicelloni giganti
Spaghetti alla chitarraSquare spaghetti, made of egg and flourNamed after the guitar-like device used to cut the pasta, which has a wooden frame strung with metal wires, sheets of pasta are pressed down onto the device, and then the wires are "strummed" so the slivers of pasta fall through.Tonnarelli, maccheroni alla chitarraAbruzzo
SpaghettiniA slightly thinner version of spaghettiThin spaghettiThin spaghetti
SpaghettoniA slightly thicker version of spaghettiSpaghetti spessi
StringozziSimilar to shoelacesShoestring-like, shoelaces
Su FilindeuExtremely rare pasta, made of 256 equal strands of thinly pulled and folded dough and laid in the sun to dry.The threads of GodSardinia
TagliatelleRibbons of egg-based pasta. Generally narrower than fettuccine.From the Italian tagliare, meaning "to cut".Tagliarelli, reginelle, fresine, nastri, fettuccelle, fettucce romane, fiadi, tagliolini; tagliatelle smalzade ; lesagnetes ; bardele ; fettuccine ; pincinelle ; tagghiarini ; taddarini Emilia-Romagna
TaglieriniThinner version of tagliatelleFrom the Italian tagliare, meaning "to cut".Tagliolini; tagliatini ; tajarin Liguria, Piedmont
TrenetteThin ribbon ridged on one side. Slightly thicker than linguine.
TripolineThick ribbon ridged on one sideSignorine
VermicelliA traditional pasta round that is thinner than spaghetti.Little wormsVery thin spaghettiCampania
ZitiLong, narrow hose-like tubes larger than mezzani or bucatini that are traditionally broken before being put to cook. The addition of the word rigati denotes lines or ridges on the pasta's surface. Ziti candelati are longer, zitoni a bit larger.Bride and bridegroom in Sicilian dialect.Boccolotti, zitoni, zituane, candele, ziti candelatiSouthern Italy

Short-cut pasta

Short cut pasta are mostly made by extrusion.
ImageTypeDescriptionTranslationSynonymsOrigin or main area of consumption
AnelliShort tubular, or annular-shaped, pasta sometimes with ridges on the inside or outside.Small ringsAnelloni, anellini, anelletti, anelloni d'Africa
BoccoliShort, thick twisted shape.Sardinia
CalamarataWide ring shaped pastaSquid-likeCalamariNaples
Campanelle or torchioFlattened bell-shaped pasta with a frilly edge on one end. Torchio are identical, with a smooth edge.Bellflower, gigli are lilies, torchio is a press.Gigli, cornetti, corni di bue
Cappelli da chefExtruded pasta that looks like a chef's hatChef hatsChef's hats
CasarecceShort lengths extruded into a S shape.From casereccio, "homemade".Casarecci, Cesariccia
CastellaneShell pasta coiled into a conical shapeTranslated as "castle dweller", for the shape of the pasta loosely resembles that of a long, flowing robe.
CavatappiCorkscrew-shaped macaroni.CorkscrewsCellentani, amori, spirali, tortiglioni, or fusilli rigati.
CavatelliShort, solid lengths. Exist in three size, usually measured in fingers From the verb cavare, "hollow".Cortecce, gnocchetti, manatelli, orecchie di prete, strascinati, truoccoli ; capunti, cingule, minuich, rascatelli, zinnezinne ; cantaroggini, cavatieddi, cecatelli/cicatelli, cecatidde, mignuicchi, strascenate, tagghjunghele ; pincinelle ; cavatielle, 'ncatenate, cazzarille, ciufele ; cavasuneddi, cavatuneddi, gnucchitti, gnocculi, pizzicarieddi. Pictured is dry capunti, a variety of cavatelli from Apulia.Southern continental Italy and Sicily
ChifferiShort and wide macaroni. Can be smooth or furrowed.From the Austrian cookies Kipferl.Gomiti
CicioneddosHand-rolled, shell-shaped pasta that are smaller than malloreddus.Sardinia
ConchiglieSeashell shaped, usually furrowed ShellsArselle, abissini, coccioline, conchigliette, tofettine, cinesini, margaritine, cinesi rigati, mezzi cocci, margherite rigate, cappettine
Creste di galliShort, curved, and ruffledCock's combGrui
FagioloniShort narrow tubeLarge beans
FarfalleBow tie or butterfly shapedButterfliesfiochetti, fiocconi, farfalloni, galla genovese, strichetti, nocchette
FazzolettiThin rectangles or squares of pastaHandkerchiefFazzoletti di seta, mandilli di sea Liguria
FestoniThick ruffled helicesSwag
FiorentineGrooved cut tubesFlorentine
FioriShaped like a flowerFlowers
FusilliLong, thick, corkscrew-shaped pasta that may be solid or hollow.The word fusilli presumably comes from Italian: fuso, meaning "spindle".Eliche, girandole, rotini, tortiglioni, spirali
Fusilli bucatiA hollow version of Fusilli. Note: different shapes can be attached to this name. Can be long, short or twined.Holed spindlesBusiata, maccaruna di casa, pirciati, filati cu lu pirtuso, fusilli col buco.Sicily
GarganelliEgg pasta in a square shape rolled into a tubeFrom garganel, "oesophagus"Maccheroni al petine, fischioniEmilia-Romagna
GemelliA single S-shaped strand of pasta twisted in a loose spiral.The name derives from the Italian for twins.
GnocchiLobed shells. Not to be confused with gnocchi dumplings.Possibly "knots"
GomitiElbow maccheroni, furrowed.From gomito, "elbow".Chifferi
KusksuPeppercorn-like shaped pasta, which is "a little bigger than a coriander", used in a traditional Maltese soup which bears its name. The kusksu pasta is "not to be confused with couscous".Malta
LanterneCurved ridgesLanterns
LorighittasStrands of pasta rolled twice around three fingers to form a ring, and then twisted to look like a rope.Small ringsMorgongiori, Sardinia
MacaroniTubes, either bent or straightFrom Greek for food made from barleyMacaroni, maccheronciniNaples
MaccheroncelliHollow tube-shaped pasta that is slightly smaller than a pencil in thicknessSmall maccheroni
MafaldineShort ribbons with ruffled sidesLittle mafaldeMafalda corta, Biricci
MaltagliatiIrregular shapes of flat pasta formed from scraps of pasta production.Badly cutStrengozze, malmaritati, blecs; pizzocherini ; straciamus/spruzzamusi ; gasse, martaliai ; begnamusi/sguazzabarbuz ; strengozze ; sagne 'mpezze ; pizzelle ; foglie di salice
MalloreddusHand-rolled, shell-shaped pasta with saffron. A machine-extruded version also exists, which typically omits the use of saffron.In Campidanese dialect a malloreddu is a male cow Gnocchetti sardi, caidos, macarones cravaos, maccaronis de orgiuSardinia
MandalaDesigned by Philippe Starck in 1987 for French pasta maker Panzani, intended to compensate for overcooking.A reference to mandalas.
MarilleDesigned by Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1983 – like a rolling ocean wave in cross-section with internal rugosities, but unsuccessful and no longer produced.From mare, "sea"
MezzaniShort curved tubeHalf-size onesPerciatelloni, Mezze Zite, Regine, Scaloppi, Napoletani
Mezze manicheAbout half the length of rigatoniHalf-sleeves
Mezze penneShort version of penneHalf-pens
Mezzi bombardoniWide short tubesHalf-bombards
NuvoleShort coiled pastaClouds
PaccheriLarge tube pasta often topped with sauce or stuffed with ingredients. May collapse under own weight when cooking.from Napolitan paccharia, "Slaps" with a depreciative -ero to indicate something common. The name has been ascribed to a slapping sound they may make when eaten.Maniche di frate, maniche rigate, rigatoni, rigatoncini, bombaroni, tufoli rigati. Moccolotti in Marche and Umbria.Naples
PassatelliMade from bread crumbs, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon, and nutmeg, and cooked in chicken broth.Pesaro e Urbino and other regions of northern Italy such as Emilia Romagna
Pasta al ceppoSheet pasta that is similar in shape to a cinnamon stickLog-type pasta
PenneMedium length tubes with ridges, cut diagonally at both ends. They can be either lisce or rigate. Mostaccioli is also sometimes used for Barilla products, pennette have a shorter length and pennoni are wider and thicker.Pens or feathers.Pennine, mezze pennette lisce, mezze penne, mezzani, pennettine, pennuzze, penne regina, mostaccioli, penne a candela, penne di natale/natalini, penne di ziti/zitoni.Liguria
Penne ricceCurled penne variant, usually grooved.Curly penne.
PicchiarelliSlightly longer than cavatelli.Apulia
Pipe rigateVery similar to Lumaconi but smaller has lines running the length of itGrooved pipes.
PizzoccheriA type of short tagliatelle, a flat ribbon pasta, made with buckwheat flour: the lack of gluten makes them hard to manipulate.From pinzochero, "bigot".Fugascion, pizzocher di TeiValtellina
QuadrefioreSquare with rippled edgesFrom quadro, "square" and fiore, "flower"
RadiatoriShaped like radiators, they were created between the First and Second World Wars. They are often used in similar dishes as rotelle or fusilli because their shape works well with thicker sauces.RadiatorMarziani
RiccioliHollow cut with cylindrical ridges.Curls.
RiccioliniShort wide pasta with a 90-degree twistLittle curls
RicciutelleShort spiralled pastaLittle curls
RigatonciniSmaller version of rigatoniSmall lined ones
RigatoniMedium-Large tube with square-cut ends, sometimes slightly curved. Always grooved, and straight or bent depending on extrusion method.From rigare, "to line, furrow, groove".Bombardoni, cannaroni rigati, cannerozzi rigati, rigatoni romani, trivelli, tuffolini rigatiLazio
RombiRhombus-shaped ribbons
RotelleWagon wheel-shaped pastaLittle wheels.Biciclette, ruotine, ruote, rotelline, ruotelline, rotine, rotini
SagnetteShort thick ribbons from Abruzzo and Molise. Also called sagne or tagliolini.
SagnarelliRectangular ribbons with fluted edges
SedaniSlightly larger than maccheroni with a similar slight bend. Can be smooth or furrowed.From sedano, "celery"Sedanini, cornetti, diavoletti, diavolini, folletti; or zanne d'elefante if smooth.
SpiraliSpiraled tubesSpirals
Spiralini Tightly coiled spiraliLittle spirals
StrapponiStrips of pasta ripped from a sheet.From strappare, "to rip off"Tuscany
StrozzapretiRolled across their width. Similar to Sicilian casarecce.Priest-chokers or priest-stranglersStrangolarpreti, gnocchi di prete ; frigulelli, piccicasanti, strozzafrati, cecamariti ; maccheroni alla molinara ; strangulaprievete ; strangulaprieviti ; affogaparini Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna
TestaroliTuscany
TortiglioniLarger tubes than rigatoni, the grooves are also deeper and spiral around the pasta.From Latin torquere, "to twist"ElicoidaliCampania, Lazio
TreccioniCoiled pasta.From treccia, "braid".
TrennePenne shaped as a triangleTriangoli, penne triangolo
TrofieThin twisted pasta made of durum wheat and water. Trofie bastarde are made with chestnut flour.possibly from Greek trophe, "food" or local Genovese dialect strofissià or strufuggiâ'', "to rub".Rechelline, trofiette.Liguria
TuffoliRidged rigatoni
VesuvioCorkscrew-shaped pasta.From Mount VesuviusCampania

Stretched pasta

Strascinati are mostly hand-made disks of pasta dragged across a wooden board. Orecchiette are the typical example.
ImageTypeDescriptionTranslationSynonymsOrigin or main area of consumption
CencioniPetal shaped, slightly curved with rough convex sideLittle ragsMischiglio Southern Italy
CorzettiFlat figure-eight stamped from LiguriaThe name derives from a 14th century Genovese coin, the corzetto.Curzetti ; crosets ; crosetti ; croxetti, torselliniVal Polcevera
FainelleFlat strascinato that vaguely resembles carob.Fainella means carob in Pugliese dialect.Foggia
Foglie d'ulivoShaped like an olive leafOlive leaves
OrecchietteIrregular disc with a central dome and a slightly thicker crown. Strascinate are identical but flat.Little earsstrascinate; recchini ; recchietele ; orecchie di prete ; cicatelli ; recchie di prevete ; cagghiubbi/fenescecchie ; chancierelle/pochiacche ; stacchiodde Apulia

Soup pasta

These are small types of pasta, mainly used in soups, many of which belong to the pastina family.
ImageTypeDescriptionTranslationSynonymsOrigin or main area of consumption
Acini di pepeBead-like pastaGrains of pepper--
AnelliSmall rings of pasta Small ringsAneletti, anidduzzi, cerchionetti, taraduzziSicily
AnelliniSmaller version of anelliLittle ringsAnelline
ConchiglietteSmall shell-shaped pastaLittle shells
CoralliniSmall short tubes of pastaLittle corals
DitaliShort tubes whose diameter is roughly the same as their length. Can be lisci or rigatiThimblesDitalini, tubetti, tubettini, gnocchetti di ziti, ditaletti, coralli; denti di vecchia, denti di cavallo, ganghi di vecchia, magghietti
Egg barley
FarfallineSmall bow tie-shaped pastaLittle butterflies
FideosPasta prepared with eggs, flour and water.
FiliniSmaller version of fideos, about 12–15 mm long before cookingLittle threads.
FregulaBead-like pasta from Sardinia. Slightly toasted due to drying process.Little fragmentsFregola, freula, fregua
FunghiniSmall mushroom-shaped pastaLittle mushrooms
GramigneShort curled lengths of pasta. Spaccatelle are larger.From gramigna, "weed" or spaccatura, "slot"Crestine, margherite lisce, fagioletti, zitellini, tubettini lunghi, gramignoni, spaccatelleSicily, Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
GrattiniSmall granular, irregular shaped pasta Little Grains
GrattoniLarge granular, irregular shaped pastaGrains
MidollineFlat teardrop shaped pasta
Occhi di perniceVery small rings of pastaPartridge's eyes
OrzoRice shaped pasta. Risoni are slightly bigger.Barley, ricePuntine, punte d'ago, armelline, semi d'orzo, semi d'avena, semi di riso, occhi di giudeo, armellette, puntalette, semi di cicoria, cicorietta, risetto, chicchi di riso, semini, avena, avena grande, cicorie, semi di melone, semi di mela, midolline, semoni, risone, risoni riso
PastinaAlthough pastina is the name for an entire family of miniature pasta shapes, it is also used to describe the most basic one in this family – small spheres, smaller than acini di pepeLittle pasta
PiombiSpheres slightly larger than acini di pepePearl pasta
PtitimRice grains, spheres or other formsFlakesIsraeli couscous, Jerusalem couscous, giant couscous, pearl couscousIsrael
PuntineSmaller version of Risi
QuadrettiniSmall flat squares of pastaLittle squaresQuadrucci, quadratini, quadretti, lucciole, quadrellini, quadrotti; quaternei ; squadrucchetti ; ciciarchiola/cicerchiole.
SorpreseSmall bell shaped pasta with a ruffled edge and a crease on one side. Can be ridged or smooth Surprise
StelleSmall star-shaped pasta.Stars, small or big anellini, avermarie, astri, fiori di sambuco, lentine, puntine, semini, stellettine, stellette
StortiniSmaller version of elbow macaroniLittle crooked ones
TripoliniIn larger varieties these are sometimes called farfalle tonde. Small bow tie-shaped pasta with rounded edges.canestrini are small willow baskets.Signorine, canestri, canestrini, farfallini, galani, nastrini, nodini, stricchetti
Alphabet pastaPasta that has been mechanically cut or pressed into the letters of the alphabet

Pasta with filling

The name raviolo can be used as a generic description for almost any type of pasta with filling.
ImageTypeDescriptionTranslationSynonymsOrigin or main area of consumption
AgnolottiSemicircular or square pockets; can be stuffed with ricotta, a mix of cheese and meats, or pureed vegetables.Diminutive of old word for "angel"; Agnolotti was Giotto di Bondone's nickname.agnellotti, agnolòt, angelotti, langaroli, langheroli, piat d'angelòtPiedmont
CaccavelleLarge bowl-like pasta intended for stuffingFrom Latin cacabus, "pot"Pentole Naples
CannelloniRolls of pasta with various fillings, usually cooked in an ovenDerived from cana, "reed".Cannaciotti, canneroncini, cannarone/cannerone, cannarune, canneroni, cannoli/ crusetti, manfriguli/manfrigoli, manicotti, gnocchettoni zitoni, tagliati di zitoni, cannelloni zitoni, spole, sigarette, schiaffoniCentral Italy
CappellettiSquares of dough filled with cheese and closed to form a small hat. In the large majority of Romagna the filling is made by a mixture of parmesan and soft cheese.Little caps or hatscappelli, cappelli del prete, or nicci in Tuscany.Emilia-Romagna
CaramelleA stuffed pasta resembling double twist candies.CandyParma and Piacenza
CasoncelliA stuffed pasta with various fillings.Possibly from casa, "house"Casonsei, Casonziei, CiaroncieLombardy
CasunzieiA stuffed pasta with various fillingsFrom casa, "house"Veneto
ConchiglioniLarge, stuffable seashell shapedLarge shellsCampania
CulurgionesA stuffed pasta typical with a filling of potato and mintCulingionis, Culurzones, Kulurjones, angiolottus, spighittiSardinia
FagottiniA 'purse' or bundle of pasta, made from a round of dough gathered into a ball-shaped bundle, often stuffed with ricotta and fresh pearLittle cloth bundles
LumacheSnailshell-shaped pieces. Larger than gomiti or pipe.SnailsLumachelle, lumachette, cirillini, chifferini, ciocchiolette, cirillini, gomitini, gozziti, lumachelle, lumachoni, pipe, pipette, tofarelle
MezzeluneSemicircular pockets about 2.5 in. diameterHalf-moons
Occhi di lupoLarge, stuffed, penne-shaped pasta. Around 1.5 inches long.Ribbed wolf eyes
PansottiTriangular shape with a bulging center, does not contain meat.Big belliesRavioli di magro.Liguria
RavioliTwo pieces of pasta on top of another, stuffed with cheese, ground meat, pureed vegetables, or mixtures thereof. Though commonly square, other forms are also used, including circular and semi-circular Many claimed origins: possibly from rapa, "vegetable root", or rabibole, "cheap stuff" in Ligurian dialect; or simply from ravolgere, "to wrap".
Rotolo ripienoA rolled pasta with filling; cooked roll is normally sliced, covered in sauce and broiled in the oven"Stuffed roll"Rotoli imbotito; strudel ; pasta al sacco
SacchettoniRound, similar to fagottini, but also may use ravioli stuffing. A small square of pasta brought around the stuffing and twisted.Little sacksSacchetti, sacchetini depending on size
TortelliSquare sheet of pasta folded into a triangle or discus folded into half-circle, with both extremities subsequently joined to form a ring shape. About 30x35 mm in size. Sweet variations can be found.Little piesCappellacci, turtello, tordelli, casonsei
TortelliniRing-shaped, usually stuffed with a mixture of meat and cheese. About 25x20mm in size.Small tortelliAgnoli, presuner or prigioneri
TortelloniRound or rectangular, similar to tortelli but larger. Stuffing usually does not include meat.
TufoliA pasta shell large enough for stuffing. From a southern Italian dialect, plural of tufolo, modification of Latin tubulus Large tubeManiche, Gigantoni, Occhi di elefante, Elefante, Canneroni grandi, Occhi di bove

Gnocchi and gnocchetti