Italians are known worldwide for their love of pasta. This product is loved so much that each region in Italy has its own favorite variety. According to Untold Morsels, there are more than 350 variations of pasta, but only a few are popular in Italy and around the world. Here are some types of pasta commonly used in Italian cooking.

Penne

Penne is a type of pasta that comes in several sizes. This pasta can either be smooth or grooved. It's used to prepare a famous Italian dish, known as “penne all'arrabbiata." This simply means penne with spicy seasoning, “arrabbiata.” Penne all'arrabbiata originates from the city of Roma and, around the Lazio region.

Fusilli or Corkscrew Pasta

Fusilli pasta is twisted in shape. This enables it to hold the seasoning and flavors more easily. Fusilli is native to southern Italy. The reason why it's so popular is that it works for any occasion. This means you can use it for a formal ceremony or even for a simple dinner with friends.

Farfalle or Butterfly Pasta

This is one of the most aesthetically superior types of pasta used in Italian cooking. This is why it's popular in Italy. The pasta was given the name Farfalle because of its shape, which looks like butterflies. When you prepare this pasta, you need to be careful because it can easily remain hard in the center. This also means that the outside can end up soggy as you are trying to ensure that the center is cooked well, which ends up ruining the meal.

Orecchiette or Shells Pasta

“Orecchiette” pasta has a shape that resembles an ear. This type of pasta is particularly popular in Apulia. When you prepare it with meat sauce, the sauce enters the hunched part, giving the pasta a unique taste. Another closely related type of pasta is “conchiglie” which takes the appearance of a shell.

Spaghetti

Spaghetti is pasta that's made using water and hard wheat. The pasta is then elongated and made into thin pieces. In Italian cooking, spaghetti can be cut to make “spaghetti spezzati.” This dish is usually prepared with cheese and tomato sauce. It can also be included in a lot of other recipes.

These are just some of the most common types of pasta used in Italian cooking. Each type has a unique appearance and taste. Each type is also used to make specific dishes that are popular in Italian cooking.