What to Order When You Don’t Know the Pasta Menu
You sit down at a cozy Italian spot, open the menu, and immediately get hit with unfamiliar pasta names—strozzapreti? trofie? orecchiette? Unless you’ve memorized the regional pasta map of Italy, it can feel a little overwhelming. But don’t worry: understanding the shape, sauce pairing, and style behind each pasta can help you order confidently—and enjoy your meal even more.
Here’s a quick guide to help you decode the pasta menu like a pro.
- Orecchiette (“Little Ears”)
This ear-shaped pasta from Puglia is known for its scoop-like design, which makes it perfect for catching thick sauces and chunky ingredients like sausage and broccoli rabe.
Order it when: You want something hearty with texture.
Best with: Meat-based sauces, chunky vegetables, or pesto.
Learn more from Eataly’s Pasta Guide - Trofie
A short, twisted Ligurian pasta typically served with basil pesto. Its spiral shape helps cling to oil-based sauces.
Order it when: You see a classic pesto dish on the menu—it’s likely made with trofie.
Best with: Pesto Genovese, light seafood sauces, or garlic-infused olive oil.
Read about it on Serious Eats Pasta Guide - Strozzapreti (“Priest Stranglers”)
Don’t be alarmed by the name—it’s a hand-rolled pasta similar to cavatelli, often associated with Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany.
Order it when: You want something rustic and chewy with a satisfying bite.
Best with: Ragu, sausage, or creamy mushroom sauces. - Paccheri
These oversized tube-shaped pastas are great for rich meat sauces and fillings. Sometimes they’re stuffed and baked, other times they’re tossed with slow-cooked ragu.
Order it when: You want a bold, meaty pasta dish.
Best with: Short rib ragu, spicy sausage, or stuffed with ricotta. - Cavatelli
Small, shell-like pasta that almost looks like miniature hot dog buns. It has a dense, chewy texture that holds up well to heavier sauces.
Order it when: You want comfort food with serious bite.
Best with: Broccoli rabe and sausage, or tomato and pancetta. - Pici
A hand-rolled Tuscan pasta that looks like thick spaghetti. It’s usually served in simple sauces that highlight texture over flash.
Order it when: You’re eating at a rustic or regionally focused spot.
Best with: Garlic, tomato, or cacio e pepe-style sauces.
Quick Pasta-Ordering Tips for the Unfamiliar Menu
- Ask about the sauce. Even if you don’t recognize the pasta name, knowing what it’s served with helps clarify what you’re getting.
- Look for regional hints. If the restaurant specializes in northern or southern Italian cuisine, the pasta shapes will likely reflect that.
- Trust the house-made label. If it says “house-made,” it’s almost always a good bet—it’ll be fresh and likely pair well with the sauce on the menu.
Trying It at Home or Ordering In?
If you’re curious to try these pastas but want to eat at home, many of them are available for delivery from artisanal restaurants through Uber Eats and Grubhub. To make it more affordable, you can buy a Grubhub gift card with cashback through Fluz and save while exploring new pasta styles.
Whether you’re seated at a trattoria or browsing a takeout menu, having a little pasta knowledge helps turn confusion into confident (and delicious) decisions.
