During the month of December, the University Libraries staff make lists and check them twice. What are these lists about? Anything! You can look at past years’ lists here and stay tuned for more lists!
Disclaimer: every pasta shape was created for a specific sauce/dish. But I am famously both a picky eater and someone with a good amount of food restrictions, so here are my takes!
Rotini
Starting off with my universal pasta. Rotini, you will always be that girl. It’s the perfect pasta for when I feel like I need a dish with a ton of veggies and want a good “fork balance.”
Conchiglioni (big shell)
They are so beautiful and so easy for making an expensive looking dish out of inexpensive ingredients.
Orecchiette
I think it is more successful for the sauces I make when compared to conchiglie (lil shells). I think a lot of home cooks use these interchangeably, but I think that is a mistake that makes people overlook the beauty of orecchiette.
Cavatappi
The superior shape. In my home, if a box of cavatappi appears, that means an amazing cheesy dish is on the horizon.
Mafalde
Okay, I’m not a huge fan of long pastas but mafalde is lovely. The ridges elevate this to be on the list.
Farfalle
It wouldn’t be a pasta list without them. I mean, c’mon! They’re lil bows! But for real, we don’t get a lot of novelty foods and farfalle can be used in many dishes without compromising the sauce. It’s a good pasta that also happens to be fun.
Tagliatelle
My favorite to make, and it looks so beautiful and impressive! This is great for a fast dish alongside a simple sauce.
Casarecce
Delightful shape! Delightful bite! Underrated shape.
Radiatori
Lovely. The shape makes this fun and interesting to eat.
Agnolotti (or Ravioli)
Another favorite to make, especially to share! There is something so lovely about making something beautiful and intensive for another person. It is always worth it.
Easton Brundage is a Research & Learning Librarian and a semi-reformed picky eater. When he is not at the library, you can find him making zines, doing a puzzle, or trying out a new recipe.
