Rigatoni
Rigatoni’s name comes from the Italian word “rigato” which means ridged, or lined. Rigatoni is typically larger than ziti or penne. Rigatoni is also cut straight, unlike the diagonal of penne. Rigatoni’s ridges make it easier for sauces and cheese to cling on compared to smoother pastas, like ziti.

The word rigatoni comes from the Italian word ‘rigate’ which means ridged, grooved or lined. Many Italians believe that the ridges actually make a better surface for sauces and grated cheese to adhere to than smooth pasta like penne lisce.

Penne translates to the word “pen”, and gets its name from its shape – a short cylinder-shaped pasta that has angled edges. The shape was inspired by a quill. Penne’s large diameter and ridges make it ideal for retaining sauces on its entire surface.

Penne can be smooth (lisce) or ridged (rigate), although the ridged variety is the most popular. The ridged ones being a bit sturdier and more soak-up-the-sauce-able than its smoother siblings.

10 Different Types of Pasta and What Dishes They’re Best Used For

• Spaghetti.
• Penne.
• Lasagne.
• Ravioli.
• Linguine.
• Rigatoni.
• Farfalle.
• Fusilli.

Sopressini A real fringe pasta, at best, that’s also called borsa vuota (“open purse”), this one has an origin story as murky as reused pasta water.

Manicotti. Manicotti are short, large pasta tubes, usually ribbed, meant to be stuffed with meat, cheese, and vegetables; the name means “little sleeve” in Italian.

Ditalini
Ditalini: Small tube-like shapes, commonly used in pasta e fagioli. The name means “small thimbles” in Italian.

What is the difference between spaghetti and spaghetti Rigati? In Italian, “rigati” means “ridged” and this innovative long cut is ideal for sauce lovers. Thicker in diameter than regular spaghetti, thick spaghetti gives a fuller taste to each sauce.

Rigatoni are a form of tube-shaped pasta of varying lengths and diameters. They are larger than penne, sedani and ziti and sometimes slightly curved, though nowhere near as curved as elbow macaroni. Rigatoni characteristically have ridges down their length, sometimes spiraling around the tube, like elicoidale.

They are often served with a heavy sauce, which holds well in the hollows of the pasta tubes. Tubular pasta is also used in salads and casseroles. Some of the larger tubes that have a wide opening can be stuffed with meat and/or cheese and then baked.

Rigatoni characteristically have ridges down their length, sometimes spiraling around the tube, like elicoidale. And unlike penne, rigatoni’s ends are cut square to the tube walls instead of diagonally. Ridges or grooves in pasta is something that developed after industrialized pasta production started.

Mostaccioli is approximately 2 inches long and is available with a smooth or ridged surface. Cook for 10 to 13 minutes. Large tube pasta that contains a wide hollowed center that is approximately 1 inch in diameter. Paccheri ranges from 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inches in length.