14 types of pasta any die-hard pasta fan needs to know

If you’re feeling a little lockdown boredom with your favourite pasta recipes, maybe you just need to change things up a little. We rounded up 14 different types of pasta that you need to try – plus the recipes to use them in:

1. Mafaldine

This one is like linguine but so much better! The rivets on either side of each ribbon are perfect for a rich, meaty sauce. Try this venison bolognaise with mafaldine for the perfect meaty dinner.

2. Gemelli

This is fusilli’s glam cousin, with just the right number of twists to keep things interesting! These curly noodles pair well with a light pesto sauce, or use them in your favourite baked pasta dish.

3. Paccheri

Paccheri pasta is like giant macaroni, just right for baked pasta dishes. You can even stuff each tube of paccheri with your favourite stuffing, or substitute macaroni with paccheri in this epic mac and cheese ‘cake’.

4. Fideo

Similar to vermicelli but shorter, fideo makes for the prefect addition to any seafood pasta dish. Try fideo pasta with this spicy prawn dish.

5. Cavatappi

The large twists in this pasta make for great pasta salads or even red pepper pesto dishes. Cavatappi takes this smoked chicken pasta salad with chipotle mayo dressing to the next level.

6. Campanelle

If you’re feeling indecisive and can’t choose between a twist, a tube or a shell, have the best of all three with campanelle. They look like little flowers and are best paired with a creamy pasta sauce, like this cheesy chicken pasta.

7. Anelli

Small and compact, these little pasta rings make a great addition to any winter soup. Add to this gourmet chicken noodle soup to make it even heartier.

8. Orecchiette

These little ear-shaped domes make light oil-based sauces sing! Try out this lemon, ricotta and broccoli pasta dish with orecchiette.

9. Cavatelli

A great substitute for penne, these hotdog-shaped noodles pair wonderfully with thick or meaty sauces. Try out these feta meatballs in a fresh tomato sauce with cavatelli pasta.

10. Radiatori

This radiator-looking pasta shape is unlike any other, making for a lovely surprise in your baked pastas or pasta salads. Try it in this cheesy chicken, bacon and mushroom pasta bake.

11. Stelle

You have to try this star-shaped pasta at least once. Add some dazzle to this one-pot lamb pasta by replacing the orzo with stelle.

12. Cappelletti

Cappelletti are hat-shaped pasta filled with an assortment of fillings, much like ravioli. Try substituting one for the other in a pasta bake and see which one is your favourite.

13. Rotelle

We can’t lie – this wheel-shaped pasta is both fun to look at and functional, with sauce, meaty bits and veggies tending to get wedged in between the pasta spokes. Rotelle pairs well with meaty or veggie-laden sauces, and this mushroom and red wine pasta is just awaiting a rotelle makeover.

14. Conchiglie

The shell-shaped conchiglie is already a favourite for many, performing excellently in pasta salads and bakes. This zucchini and chicken crème fraiche pasta bake will be perfect with conchiglie.