Here’s a guide to help you choose the right pasta for the occasion, although ultimately there are no rules.

• Most dried pasta can be categorized into the following categories. Go to the store and try new pasta shapes to find what you like.

1. Long, Thin Pasta

Popular shapes

Spaghetti, Linguine, Angel Hair, Bucatini

Best use cases

Light, smooth sauces like marinara, olive oil-based sauces, and seafood sauces.

• Why? These shapes can be evenly coated in sauce without overpowering their delicate structure.

Example dishes

Spaghetti with marinara, linguine with clam sauce.

2. Wide, Flat Pasta

Popular shapes

Fettuccine, Pappardelle, Tagliatelle

Best use cases

Rich, creamy, or meaty sauces like alfredo, Bolognese, or ragus.

• Why? The broad surface area holds heavier sauces well.

Example dishes

Fettuccine alfredo, pappardelle with beef ragu, cumin lamb noodles

3. Tubular or Concave Pasta

Popular shapes

Penne, Rigatoni, Ziti, Shells, Lumaconi

Best use cases

Chunky sauces with vegetables, meat, or cheese, as well as baked dishes.

• Why? The tubes or concave spaces trap sauce and ingredients inside, ensuring flavor and texture in every bite.

Example dishes

Penne arrabbiata, baked ziti, rigatoni bolognese, ricotta stuffed shells

4. Small Shapes

Popular shapes

Orzo, Ditalini, Farfalle, Macaroni, Orechiette

Best use cases

Soups, salads, and light, creamy sauces.

• Why? Their size makes them versatile for dishes with smaller, bite-sized ingredients where you can get everything in the same spoonful.

Example dishes

Orzo in soup, farfalle pasta salad, elbow mac & cheese

5. Twisted or Spiral Shapes

Popular shapes

Fusilli, Rotini, Cavatappi, Vesuvio

Best use cases

Hearty, chunky sauces or creamy dishes.

• Why? The twists trap bits of sauce, ensuring flavor in every bite.

Example dishes

Fusilli with pesto, cavatappi mac and cheese

6. Sheet Pasta

Popular shapes

Lasagna

Best use cases

Layered baked dishes

• Why? Large sheets are perfect for stacking and holding hearty fillings.

Example dishes

Classic lasagna with bechamel and ragu.

Weeknight lasagna with ricotta, meat, and tomato sauce.

Casseroles