There are SO Many More Types of Pasta Than Spaghetti

Freshly made or from a box, pasta can be one of the easiest — and most beloved — dishes to prepare. There are countless pasta recipes. They cover everything from short pasta to angel hair pasta, and stuffed pasta with cheese sauces to baked pasta dishes.

Whatever the type or shape, pasta is traditionally made from just a few everyday ingredients. These include durum wheat, water, and sometimes eggs. The dough is then fashioned into various shapes and sizes before being cooked in a pot of (typically salted) boiling water.

Today, with the popularity of low-carb and gluten-free diets, you can even find “alternative” pastas. These are made from protein-packed lentils, chickpeas, or quinoa in classic shapes like rotini, penne, or fusilli.

Yet, despite pasta's popularity, you might see names like bucatini or pappardelle on a menu and find yourself racking your brain to recall that shape.

So in an effort to help reduce the amount of Googling and help you start slurping down a plate of noodles asap, we’ve rounded up some of the most common types of pasta with pictures and corresponding recipes to give you a crash course on one of the world’s most delicious and popular foods. (Don't miss these summer pasta recipes, pasta salad recipes, and our favorite healthy pasta recipes too.) Buon appetito!!!