1. Spaghetti
One of the most recognised pasta shapes in the world, spaghetti is a long, thin pasta traditionally paired with lighter sauces and classic Italian recipes.
Spaghetti works beautifully with dishes such as carbonara, aglio e olio, seafood pasta and pomodoro sauces. Its smooth texture allows olive oil and tomato-based sauces to coat evenly, making it a staple of authentic Italian dining.
2. Penne
Penne is a tube-shaped pasta with angled edges designed to hold rich sauces inside each piece.
This versatile pasta is commonly served with arrabbiata sauces, creamy tomato dishes and baked pasta recipes. Penne’s ridged texture makes it ideal for thicker sauces and melted cheese dishes.
3. Lasagne
Lasagne refers to the wide sheets of pasta layered together to create one of Italy’s most comforting dishes.
Traditionally baked with slow-cooked ragù, béchamel sauce and cheese, lasagne is one of the most iconic dishes in Italian cuisine. Modern variations may include vegetables, seafood or rich mushroom fillings.
4. Ravioli
Ravioli are delicate pasta parcels filled with ingredients such as ricotta, spinach, seafood, meat or seasonal vegetables.
Served with butter sauces, tomato sauces or light broths, ravioli is loved for its balance of rich fillings and delicate pasta texture.
5. Linguine
Linguine is similar to spaghetti but slightly flatter in shape, making it perfect for seafood dishes and silky sauces.
This pasta is traditionally paired with shellfish, lobster, prawns and white wine sauces, making it a favourite in coastal Italian cuisine.
6. Rigatoni
Rigatoni is a large ridged tube pasta designed to hold chunky sauces and slow-cooked ragù dishes.
Its sturdy texture makes it ideal for baked pasta dishes, creamy sauces and hearty meat recipes. Rigatoni pairs particularly well with rich tomato sauces and melted cheese dishes.
7. Farfalle
Known as “bow tie pasta”, farfalle is recognised for its distinctive shape and lighter texture.
Farfalle is commonly served in fresh pasta salads, creamy sauces and lighter Italian dishes. Its shape works especially well with vegetable-based recipes and delicate sauces.
8. Fusilli
Fusilli features a spiral shape designed to trap sauces between its twists.
This pasta works particularly well with pesto, tomato sauces and creamy dishes, while also being popular in pasta salads and baked recipes.
9. Macaroni
Macaroni is a small curved pasta shape most commonly associated with baked pasta dishes and cheese sauces.
Traditionally used in comforting oven-baked dishes, macaroni is also found in soups, pasta bakes and creamy Italian-inspired recipes.
10. Cannelloni
Cannelloni are large pasta tubes filled with ingredients such as spinach, ricotta or slow-cooked meat before being baked in sauce.
These rich baked pasta dishes are traditionally topped with tomato sauce, béchamel and cheese for a comforting Italian classic.
Fresh Pasta vs Dried Pasta
Italian cooking uses both fresh and dried pasta depending on the dish being prepared.
Fresh pasta is softer and more delicate, making it ideal for ravioli, tagliatelle and lighter sauces. Dried pasta has a firmer texture and is often used for dishes requiring stronger structure, such as penne, spaghetti and rigatoni.
Both styles remain essential to authentic Italian cuisine.
Discover Italian Pasta at San Carlo
At San Carlo, our menus celebrate authentic Italian cooking with handmade pasta dishes, seasonal ingredients and classic recipes inspired by regional Italy.
From rich seafood linguine to comforting baked pasta dishes, discover Italian dining experiences across our restaurants throughout the UK.
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