Penne rigate (from Italian ‘penna’, meaning “quill” or “pen”). This pasta is ideal for hot and spicy sauces such as the Italian classic Arrabbiata, made with tomatoes and chili. The sauce flows inside the tube, while the ridged surface perfectly holds onto bits of garlic, chili, and herbs.

Fusilli (from Italian ‘fuso’, meaning “spindle”). A green classic: fusilli pasta, pesto sauce, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella. Thanks to their spiral shape, this pasta perfectly holds the thick pesto sauce in its every groove. Spiral pasta pairs harmoniously in size with cherry tomato halves and mini mozzarella balls, ensuring a flawless balance of flavor and […]

Rigatoni (from Italian ‘riga’, meaning “line”). They are ideal for thick, slow-cooked meat or vegetable stew and for oven-baked dishes. Their wide diameter and ridged walls allow the pasta to capture the sauce, turning each tube into a flavorful mini-appetizer.

The deep, cup-like shape of this pasta acts like a spoon. Serve it with thick sauces containing chunks of stewed vegetables (such as zucchini or eggplant), mushrooms, or ground meat. The sauce fills the pasta from within, creating a true explosion of flavor.

Cavatappi (meaning “curls”). This pasta is perfect for dishes featuring tender chicken breast, juicy ground meat, or mushrooms. The ridged spirals hold thick, creamy sauces — such as garlic or cheese-based ones — exceptionally well, while the pasta shape itself pairs harmoniously with pieces of poultry and vegetables.

Pipe rigate (meaning “ribbed tubes”). This pasta acts like a deep pocket: green peas, capers, or ground meat easily slip inside through the wide opening and get trapped near the tapered base, ensuring a juicy bite every time.

Chifferi rigati (meaning “ridged little horns”). This pasta is crescent-shaped. It is ideal for thick, rich cheese sauces, such as the classic cheddar and milk sauce used for Mac and Cheese. The hot, liquid cheese completely fills the hollow interior of the pasta and gets “trapped” inside, ensuring the pasta doesn’t end up dry.

Creste di Gallo (meaning “rooster’s comb”). The curved shape and ruffled edge of this pasta are perfect for holding onto finely chopped vegetables and herbs. Use this pasta for dishes with light vegetable sauces (for example, those based on broccoli, zucchini, and spinach).