This guide covers classic shape-to-sauce pairings and inverts the catalog into a practical answer for cooks comparing kinds of pasta sauces and wondering what pasta shape goes with each one.
| Shape | Region | Classic sauces |
|---|---|---|
| Bucatini | Lazio, Italy | Amatriciana, Cacio e pepe, Carbonara |
| Casarecce | Sicily, Italy | Pesto alla trapanese, Eggplant and tomato, Ricotta and tomato |
| Cavatappi | Campania, Italy | Mac and cheese, Chunky tomato, Pesto, Baked pasta |
| Conchiglie | Southern Italy | Chunky vegetable sauces, Meat ragu with peas, Cream and ricotta |
| Farfalle | Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Italy | Light cream sauces, Salmon and cream, Pesto, Primavera |
| Fettuccine | Lazio, Italy | Alfredo (butter and Parmigiano), Bolognese, Cream sauces |
| Fusilli | Campania, Italy | Pesto, Tomato and vegetable, Primavera, Chunky meat ragu |
| Linguine | Liguria, Italy | Pesto Genovese, Vongole (clams), Seafood |
| Orecchiette | Puglia, Italy | Cime di rapa (turnip tops), Meat ragu, Broccoli rabe |
| Paccheri | Campania, Italy | Seafood ragu, Slow-cooked tomato and basil, Stuffed and baked |
| Pappardelle | Tuscany, Italy | Wild boar ragu, Hare ragu, Porcini mushroom |
| Penne | Campania, Italy | Arrabbiata, Puttanesca, Vodka sauce, Pesto |
| Rigatoni | Lazio, Italy | Pajata, Rigatoni alla genovese, Meat ragu, Amatriciana |
| Spaghetti | Campania, Italy | Pomodoro, Aglio e olio, Carbonara, Amatriciana |
| Strozzapreti | Emilia-Romagna and Central Italy | Meat ragu, Sausage and tomato, Truffle cream |
| Tagliatelle | Emilia-Romagna, Italy | Bolognese ragu, Prosciutto and butter, Mushroom cream |