Pasta is one of Italy’s greatest gifts to the world, and each shape has its own character. At London Italian restaurant Luce e Limoni we love them all.
What are the different types of pasta? Here are some examples.
Rigatoni are large, ridged tubes with a satisfying bite. Their hollow centre and textured surface make them particularly good at holding on to flavour, while their sturdy shape gives a sense of substance and comfort.
Bucatini might look like thick spaghetti at first glance, but a closer look reveals a surprise. A narrow hole running through the centre. This small detail changes the way they feel when eaten, giving them a pleasing chew and allowing a gentle flow of flavour through each strand.
Spaghetti, perhaps the most famous pasta of all, is round, smooth and endlessly versatile. There’s a reason it’s an icon: its simplicity is timeless, and it has an easy elegance whether twirled on a fork or enjoyed in a more rustic style.
Tortelloni are plump, filled pasta, often larger than their close cousins tortellini. Their distinctive ring shape, folded and twisted by hand in traditional methods, adds an artisanal touch and creates a little parcel of flavour in every bite!
Linguini are flat, narrow ribbons, wider than spaghetti but slimmer than fettuccine, with a lovely balance between delicacy and firmness. Black linguini, coloured naturally with squid ink, brings not just a dramatic appearance but also a subtle depth that makes it stand out on the plate.
Gnocchi are quite different from traditional pasta, being small dumplings usually made from potatoes or a combination of ingredients. Soft, pillowy and comforting, they offer a melt-in-the-mouth texture that contrasts beautifully with the chew of wheat-based pasta.
Each of these shapes tells its own story, shaped over centuries of Italian culinary tradition. Choosing between them is not just about taste, but also about the kind of dining experience you want; the robust satisfaction of rigatoni, the playful twist of bucatini, the familiar elegance of spaghetti, the crafted charm of tortelloni, the smooth ribbons of linguini, or the cloud-like softness of gnocchi!
You’ll find us at 91-93 Gray’s Inn Road, Chancery Lane, London WC1X 8TX
Call Us 020 724 23382 | Email Us flavours@luceelimoni.com
