Pasta may have originated in Italy, but in recent years it has gained immense attraction in India. Did you know that there are more than 600 different shapes & sizes of pasta! This article talks about some highly popular pasta varieties in India, their nutrition, health benefits and so much more! Prove your love for pasta by reading on!
Different Types of Name List
If you get confused about pasta shapes and names, then we’re here to help! This Italian delicacy has become common in Indian kitchens. Let’s talk about some delicious pasta that will tingle your taste buds!
1. Macaroni
It is one of the most popular types of dry pasta available. Macaroni is usually shaped like narrow tubes, that resemble the shape of the letter “C”. However, depending on the manufacturer, it may come in different sizes and thicknesses.
Origin – Italy
Color – Off yellow
Nutrition – 100 g of Macaroni pasta contains 75 g of carbohydrates.
Recipe – Mac & cheese.
Note – The main ingredient behind macaroni is durum wheat.
Health Benefits – Eating Macaroni is a good way to get energized.
2. Fusilli / Rotini
This type of pasta is also called “Rotini” in the United States. It’s widely known for its peculiar corkscrew-shaped appearance. Moreover, it can be either solid or hollow. In traditional pasta making, it is made by spinning a thin iron rod over the pasta to make its notable shape. On our list of pasta names, fusilli sure takes its special spot!
Origin – Southern Italy
Color – Comes in all ranges like – Red, yellow, green, etc
Nutrition – 100 g of Fusilli pasta contains 3.6 g of Fiber.
Recipe – Fusilli with tomato, garlic & cheese.
Note – Fusilli is commonly made from semolina flour.
Health Benefits – Fuseli is a perfect food if you want to reduce bloating.
3. Penne
This lovely variety has a shape that resembles the shape of a fountain pen’s steel nibs. Moreover, the word “Penne” means quill, which this pasta so greatly resembles. It’s usually cut into cylindrical textures with ridges. Additionally, the ridges allow the sauces & flavor to cling on to the pasta better, therefore enhancing the overall taste.
Origin – Liguria, Italy
Color – Color varies – Red, yellow, Green, etc.
Nutrition – 100 g of Penne pasta has a phosphorus content of 118 mg.
Recipe – Tomato Basil Penne Pasta
Note – The main ingredient behind penne pasta is durum wheat.
Health Benefits – Eating penne may be good for your mental health.
4. Spaghetti
Spaghetti makes its grand entry on our list of different kinds of pasta! This delectable variety closely resembles noodles, so you’ve got to keep a keen eye! Interestingly, its literal translation means “Little twine”. Usually, it takes 8 – 12 minutes to properly cook spaghetti. Yummy!
Origin – Italy
Color – Usually comes in creamy yellow color.
Nutrition – The glycemic index of spaghetti is just 42! Now that’s shockingly low!
Recipe – Spaghetti Bolognaise.
Note – The main ingredient behind spaghetti is durum wheat but it can be made from semolina flour as well.
Health Benefits – Spaghetti can help manage blood sugar spikes due to its low Glycemic Index.
Also Read:- Fenugreek benefits
5. Rigatoni
While this flavorsome variety may look eerily similar to penne, there is a key difference! Unlike penne, this variety is cut straight and has a slightly large circumference. Rigatoni has a classic cylindrical shape.
Origin – Rome, Italy
Color – Yellow, green, orange.
Nutrition – 100 g of rigatoni has 0 g of sodium!
Recipe – Rigatoni al’ segreto
Note – Rigatoni is made from the following grains – Durum wheat semolina, wheat, buckwheat, etc.
Health Benefits – Rigatoni can help manage chronic kidney conditions.
6. Conchiglie
Out of all the different pasta shapes, conchiglie stands out. This wonderful delicacy looks similar to a “conch”, hence the name. Its unique shape makes it easier for sauces to adhere to the pasta’s surface. The largest shell-shaped variety is called conchiglioni, while the smallest is known as conchigliette.
Origin – Italy
Color – Color ranges from yellow, red, etc
Nutrition – 90 g of Conchiglie has 0.639 mg of copper (24% of RDA)
Recipe – Beef stroganoff with conchiglie pasta.
Note – Tomato sauce pairs really well with conchiglie.
Health Benefits – This shell-shaped pasta can help improve your immunity.
7. Farfalle
Farfalle has a lovely bowtie shape that is pleasing to the eyes. The larger-sized variety of this pasta is called farfalloni, while on the other hand, the smaller variety is farfalle. Intriguingly, the literal meaning of farfalle is “Butterfly” (A very fitting name!)
Origin – Italy
Color – Color ranges from yellow, red, etc
Nutrition – 90 g of Farfalle has 0.639 mg of copper (24% of RDA)
Recipe – Beef stroganoff with conchiglie pasta.
Note – It’s best to use olive oil as a base for cooking farfalle.
Health Benefits – This shell-shaped pasta can help improve your immunity.
8. Lasagne
Did you know out of all the different kinds of pasta on our list, lasagne is one of the oldest delicacies from Italy? Their shape is usually wide & flat but some waved variations are also seen. You can stack them up with your favorite fillings like mozzarella cheese, veggies & meat! Isn’t that awesome?
Origin – Naples, Italy
Color – Green, White, or Red
Nutrition – 100 g of vegetable lasagne contains about 7 g of proteins.
Recipe – Italian Sausage Lasagna
Note – The best type of cheese to pair with the lasagne are – Ricotta and Mozzarella.
Health Benefits – Eating lasagne can be an excellent protein source.
9. Linguine
Linguine is another noodle type of pasta that originated in Italy. While it may look akin to fettuccine, it is slightly different. It’s classically about 4 millimeters in width. Moreover, its literal translation comes out as “little tongue” in Italian.
Origin – Liguria, Italy
Color – It’s usually light yellow in color.
Nutrition – 100 g of Linguine pasta has an iron content of 1.3 mg ( 17 % of DV)
Recipe – Parmesan Garlic Linguine
Note – To step up your nutritional game, make sure to pair Linguine with some seafood & veggies.
Health Benefits – Rich iron content in linguine can improve blood circulation in the body!
10. Fettuccini
This delicious pasta is shaped like a delicate ribbon. Many people get confused between linguine & fettuccini, but this pasta is a bit flatter & wider. Furthermore, it is highly popular in roman & Tuscan cuisines.
Origin – Italy
Color – Light yellow
Nutrition – 100 g of fettuccini contains 24.5 mg of calcium.
Recipe – Fettuccine alfredo
Note – You can freeze fettuccini beforehand to keep it from separating.
Health Benefits – Fettuccini can help you get stronger teeth & bones.
11. Ravioli
If you want us to name a type of pasta that’s as delicious as ravioli then we’ve got bad news for you! This popular filling pasta is usually served with some delicious broth or sauce. Moreover, you can stuff it up with cheese, veggies, or meat it’s up to you!
Origin – Italy
Color – It naturally has a light yellow color.
Nutrition – 100 g of ravioli contains 10.1 mg of protein.
Recipe – Cheese Ravioli
Note – Make sure to keep the dough sheet as thin as possible.
Health Benefits – Ample protein content in ravioli can enhance tissue repair in your body.
12. Ditalini
This wonderful pasta is shaped like small, little tubes. It’s Commonly called “Small macaroni”. Due to their small size, they are best served with soups. Additionally, it’s a very popular ingredient in traditional Sicilian cuisine.
Origin – Italy
Color – light yellow – orangeish
Nutrition – 102 g of ditalini contains 1 % of DV of calcium.
Recipe – Pasta e fagioli
Note – It is best to cook the broth thoroughly for better taste.
Health Benefits – Eating ditalini might be good for managing blood pressure.
Also Rad:- Dry Fruits List
13. Manicotti
In our list of pasta, manicotti takes the cake! Out of all the different pasta shapes and varieties, this pasta has a noticeable tubular shape. It’s a ridged, tubular-shaped pasta that is stuffed with filling. Isn’t it cool? Cheese, chicken, or veggies, have your pick!
Origin – Italy
Color – Light yellow
Nutrition – 167 g of Spinach Manicotti contains 34 % of DV of vitamin A.
Recipe – Spinach manicotti
Note – Use a small spoon to stuff your manicotti to avoid breaking it.
Health Benefits – Eating spinach manicotti can improve your eye health.
14. Orecchiette
They may look extremely similar to Conchiglie, but they are smaller in size. Orecchiette is known as “Little ears” in the pasta world. Its name literally translates to ‘ears” in Italian. Furthermore, it takes 9 – 12 minutes to properly cook this pasta. So, make sure to take your time
Origin – Apulia, Italy
Color – Light yellow or white
Nutrition – 100 g of orecchiette contains about 3.6 g of fiber (13% of DV)
Recipe – Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
Note – Traditionally orecchiette is served with meat and white wine.
Health Benefits – This flavorful “ear” shaped pasta can be excellent for your digestion.
Also Read:- Vitamin D Fruits List
15. Angel’s hair
Isn’t that a fun name? on our list of different pasta shapes and names, it is one of the thinnest varieties. Yes, it’s even lighter and thinner than spaghetti! It’s named due to its fine, thin, and long appearance.
Origin – Italy
Color – Yellow
Nutrition – 100 g of angel’s hair pasta has 0 g of sodium.
Recipe – Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs
Note – It’s advised to use the light base sauce with this pasta.
Health Benefits – If you want to avoid bloating, then it’s best for you!
16. Garganelli
This egg-based pasta is next on our delicious list of pasta! Garganelli is made out of rolling noodles into a cylindrical shape. The common cooking time for this pasta is around 8 -10 minutes. Additionally, the literal meaning behind its name translates to “Trachea”, due to its uncanny resemblance!
Origin – Italy
Color – Yellow, Light yellow
Nutrition – 100 g of Garganelli pasta contains about 14 g of proteins.
Recipe – Garganelli di ragu bianco
Note – Garganelli best complements tomato or meat sauces.
Health Benefits – Ample protein content in garganelli can help build muscle mass.
17. Pappardelle
Pappardelle pasta is a wonderful combination of big and delicate-looking strands. It is usually 2 – 3 cm wide. Moreover, the usual cooking time for this delicious pasta is about 7 – 10 minutes, so make sure to give it plenty of time to cook!
Origin – Tuscany, Italy
Color – Off yellow in natural color.
Nutrition – 100 g of Pappardelle pasta contains about 34 g of Carbohydrates.
Recipe – Pappardelle Pasta with Portobello Mushroom Ragu
Note – This thick pasta will definitely be a great addition to a ragu or bolognese sauce.
Health Benefits – Eating pappardelle for breakfast will keep you energetic & lively throughout the day!
18. Gemelli
Gemelli is a past that has a distinctive shape! This delicious pasta’s shape resembles a rope. You may think it’s two strands woven together, but it’s a trick! It’s a single s-shaped strand woven in a spiral shape. Isn’t that interesting? Due to its peculiar shape, it’s known to hold sauces well.
Origin – Italy
Color – Color ranges from yellow to off yellow.
Nutrition – 56 g of Gemelli pasta contains about 42 g of Carbohydrates.
Recipe – Gemelli with Sweet Sausage and Spinach
Note – You can use any sauce as its lovely shape enhances the flavor.
Health Benefits – Enjoying Gemelli is the best way to fuel your kidney and brain.
19. Rotelli
Rotelli is pasta that you will most often see in a kid’s bowl! It has a fun “wheel” shaped appearance. Furthermore, it’s fun and small-sized. This makes it easier for kids to eat and enjoy!
Origin – Italy
Color – Its natural color is yellow or off yellow.
Nutrition – 100 g of Rotelli pasta contains about 5.4 g of fiber.
Recipe – Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Roasted Vegetables
Note – Due to its fun shape your kids will love it!
Health Benefits – Due to healthy fiber content it can be good for kids’ digestion.
20. Orzo
On our list of different pasta shapes and names, Orzo makes its entry. Although it’s typically mistaken for rice, it is a type of pasta. Furthermore, it is basically the smallest pasta shape available. We can understand the confusion as it greatly resembles rice! Fortunately, it makes a great addition to soups & sauces.
Origin – Italy
Color – It’s naturally yellowish in color.
Nutrition – 100 g of Orgo pasta contains about 16.1 g of fiber.
Recipe – Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta
Note – Whole wheat orzo makes a good substitute for rice due to its ample fiber content.
Health Benefits – It is good for digestive health.
Conclusion
Pasta is a food that’s made from wheat flour or its substitute. What’s good about pasta is that it can be made into varieties of different shapes and sizes. Some delicious types of pasta are – Linguine, Macaroni, Orzo and so much more! Furthermore, it’s a great source of energy & nutrition. If you want to get healthy then, grab your bowl of delicious pasta asap!
