You probably know it primarily from fettuccine Alfredo (and the myriad ways to play it up, like with seafood). But you can also use these "small ribbons," which are wider and flatter than spaghetti noodles, in any dish with a thick or creamy sauce.
Don't let the name fool you: Despite the fact that gemelli means "twins," each piece is actually just one twisted piece of pasta dough. The twisted texture makes it a great option for serving with tasty sauces like homemade pesto. The grooves catch all the bits of flavor. You can also think outside the pasta box with this chorizo pumpkin pasta, or keep it classic and simple with one-pot chicken pesto pasta.
Gnocchi is a very different type of Italian pasta. In addition to the standard ingredients (egg and flour), this pasta also includes potatoes, which gives it a slightly different texture. For that reason, gnocchi are sometimes referred to as dumplings and can qualify for one of the tastiest stuffed pasta recipes.
Although macaroni noodles are sometimes called elbow macaroni, gomiti literally translates to “elbow” in Italian. Gomiti is a very close cousin to macaroni. In comparison, the circumference of the tube is a little bit wider, one end is a little bit more pinched than the other side, and some gomiti are ridged while all macaroni noodles are smooth.
One of the oldest types of pasta, these wide sheet noodles are a staple in many American households in the popular dish featuring layers of pasta, sauce and cheese. While traditional four-cheese lasagna is always a delicious option, you can also try a breakfast version using bacon and eggs.
Similar to fettuccine, linguine (which means "little tongues") is a long, flat noodle. Because it's slightly narrower than fettuccine, linguine is often served with lighter sauces or even simply with olive oil or pesto. It's also commonly used in seafood dishes.
In Italy, you might see these elbow-shaped pasta referred to as maccheroni, but stateside we spell this pasta macaroni. Whatever you call it, it's most commonly used in dishes like macaroni and cheese here in the U.S., though you'll also see it used in macaroni salads, stirred into soups or served with chili.
Also called mafalda or reginette (which means "queen" in Italian), mafaldine is essentially fettuccine with frills. It goes well with tomato or cream-based sauces, because the sauce catches in its edges. You could try replacing the lasagna noodles with mafaldine in recipes like slow-cooker lasagna soup. Otherwise, go for a classic meat sauce to pair with the frilly noodles.
Manicotti is a ridged, tube-shaped pasta. Meaning "little sleeves," each piece is about four inches long and an inch high. These tubes are designed to be stuffed with tasty fillings and baked. A ricotta and herb filling is most popular,
Also called mafalda or reginette (which means "queen" in Italian), mafaldine is essentially fettuccine with frills. It goes well with tomato or cream-based sauces, because the sauce catches in its edges. You could try replacing the lasagna noodles with mafaldine in recipes like slow-cooker lasagna soup. Otherwise, go for a classic meat sauce to pair with the frilly noodles.