Marry the (Pasta) Shape to the Sauce

By miss5elements

Ingredients

• Gemelli (jeh-MEL-lee; "the twins")
• Orecchiette (oh-reck-ee ET-tay; "little ears")
• Fusilli (foo-ZEE-lee; "spindles")

Preparation

Step 1

GEMELLI
The spiral shape is ideal for trapping sauce.
Consider something light - garlic sauteed in olive oil.
Or something chunky - braised bacon & peas or sauteed chopped eggplant & tomatoes with ricotta salata & fresh basil.

ORECCHIETTE
The concave, rough-textured center pushed out into a dome shape catches the sauce, while the outer rim gives it bite.
Sauteed broccoli rabe & sausage or a lamb sauce will go nicely with this noodle.

FUSILLI
The twisty shape makes it a popular choice for pasta salads & casseroles.
The corkscrew design is ideal for catching thick tomato based or hearty meat sauces, or a basil pesto.
Another idea: Saute with green olives & tomatoes.