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How to Choose the Right Pasta Shape

Rachel Mount HofstetterRachel Mount HofstetterUpdated: Apr. 29, 2021

What will go best with your sauce, spaghetti or linguini? Learn how to make the best choice.

Rigatoni

Ideal for dense, heavy, wetter sauces and for baked dishes.

Penne

Perfect for lighter tomato-based sauces like this Penne Alla Vodka recipe.

Fusilli

Ideal for adding to luncheon salads. Try this Zucchini Fusilli recipe.

Spaghetti

Perfect for lighter sauces and oil-and-garlic combinations.

Bucatini

Perfect for hearty, drier sauces containing meat or ham.

Farfalle

A natural for seafood pastas in lighter, cream-based sauces.

Pappardelle

Withstands heavy ragus of lamb or duck.

Orecchiette

Goes best with dryer pasta sauces, like broccoli rabe with sausage and oil.

Radiatore

Most delicious when paired with heavier, wetter sauces.

Cappelli d’Angelo

Ideal in broth-based pasta sauces.

Originally Published: July 05, 2011
Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest

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