Miscellaneous Pasta Shapes
Some pasta shapes are unique: shells, butterflies, little ears . . . These shapes are “miscellaneous pasta” because they don’t fit into a broader category. Take a look at this grab bag of fun pasta shapes that add visual interest to dishes served to company, friends, and yourself!
| Italian Name and Translation | Approximate Cooking Time | Great Accompaniments |
|---|---|---|
| Conchiglie (“shells”) | Cooks in 10 to 12 minutes | Wonderful with a simple butter-basil sauce and a grating of Parmesan cheese |
| Farfalle (“butterflies”) | Cooks in 10 to 12 minutes | Pretty tossed into cold salads with fresh vegetables |
| Fusilli (“twists”) | Cooks in 10 to 12 minutes | Corkscrew shaped and good with chunky sauces |
| Orecchiette (“little ears”) | Cooks in 7 to 9 minutes | Wonderful in chicken soups and clear broth |
| Orzo (“barley”) | Cooks in 8 to 10 minutes | Rice-shaped pasta, good in dishes such as cold-chicken-and-sun-dried-tomato salad with vinaigrette |
| Rotelle (“small wheels”) | Cooks in 8 to 10 minutes | Fun-shaped favorite of children |
