​Short Pasta

Short pasta is a category of short pasta shapes that can be eaten with a fork or spoon, such as penne, fusilli, and macaroni. It contrasts with long pasta (such as spaghetti or tagliatelle) and is distinguished by its smaller size, variety of shapes, and often grooves that help collect sauce.

• Small size: These pasta shapes are smaller than long pasta.
• Variety of shapes: There are many different shapes, such as tubular (penne, rigatoni), spiral (fusilli), shell-shaped, and others, which can be both delicious and fun.
• Grooves: Many short pasta shapes have grooves ("ridges") on their surface that help retain sauce better, making them more flavorful.
• Consumption: They are suitable for eating with a fork or spoon, depending on the shape.

• Penne: Pasta tubes with a slanted cut at the ends.
• Fusilli: Helical in shape.
• Rigatoni: Larger, ridged tubes.
• Maccheroni: A term that in Italy can refer to several specific short pasta shapes.
• Farfalle: Butterfly-shaped.
• Tubettini, Tempestine, Risoni, Stelline: Small shapes ideal for soups and stews, according to Fine Dining Lovers.