1. Food & Drink

The Pasta Shapes Gallery

Infinite Variety!

By , About.com Guide

The variety of pasta shapes in Italy is truly astounding -- every time I visit a supermarket I discover something new. This gallery has many common shapes, with recipes and substitution suggestions, and I will continue adding new shapes as they catch my eye.

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Sedani Rigati: More deeply ridged than sedani, to hold creamier sauces.Sedani RigatiSedani Piccoli: More slender then penne, and a bit firmer feeling. For thick sauces.Sedanini RigatiPenne Rigate: Ridged pasta, for thick and chunky sauces, or bakingPenne RigatePenne Lisce: Smooth sided penne, for creamy and chunky saucesPenne Lisce
Penne ai Funghi: Mushroom-flavored penne add delightful woodsy notes to a pasta dish.Penne Al Fungo Porcino, Mushroom-Flavored PennePenne al Peperoncino: Hot Pepper Penne add a delightful bite to creamy sauces.Hot Pepper PennePappardelle: Fairly broad strands with wavy edges, which are perfect with hearty meat sauces.Pappardelle: Broad Wavy-Edged StripsOrsi: Pasta bears, for kids to enjoy.Orsetti:
Orecchiette: Little ears, a classic pasta shape from Puglia.Orecchiette: Lasagna: sheets of pasta to make lasagna, the dish.LasagnaPasta Grattata: Pasta blebs for clear soups.Grattugiata, or Malfattini: Gomiti Rigati: Lined elbow macaroni, ideal for thick, creamy sauces.Gomiti Rigati:

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