Be honest. Aside from different types of ravioli, how many types of stuffed pasta can you name? If your list comes up short then it's time for some fooducation of the main types of filled pasta most loved by Italians, making it easier for you to distinguish tortellini from tortelloni, and agnolotti from cappelletti. Armed with this knowledge you'll be able to shop at your local Italian speciality market with ease, and impress friends and family with a spectacular meal.
At the end, you will be able to see all 12 filled pasta types courtesy of this nifty infographic from the folks at Food Republic.
Ravioli and Ravioloni
Ravioli is generally a flat piece of pasta that is then wrapped around a filling, much like a dumpling. It can be served with ragu sauce, or in brodo or broth. The category includes ravioli pasta, filled ravioli, cheese ravioli, baked ravioli, toasted ravioli, mushrooms ravioli, ravioli gigante and big ravioli. They can vary in size, from the small to the very large, and contain whatever you can think of to put in them.
Try this recipe for ravioli with gorgonzola pear and walnuts or this recipe for ravioli with ricotta cheese.
Agnolotti
This type of pasta from Piedmont is similar to a ravioli but smaller. Agnolotti pasta can be made with a wide range of agnolotti recipes such as butternut squash agnolotti and corn agnolotti.
Cappelletti
Cappelletti stuffed pasta is another form of pasta that is similar to agnoltti or ravioli. Cappelletti pasta can be made with whatever ingredient you have to hand, such as cheese cappelletti or chicken cappelletti.
Tortellini
Once again the tortellini pasta falls into the category of filling-wrapped pasta. Variations include: cheese tortellini, chicken tortellini or baked tortellini. Generally it is 'fatter' than ravioli.
Try these recipes for tortellini in broth, or this traditional tortellini recipe, or learn how to fiold traditional Italian tortellini.
Tortelloni
Tortelloni pasta is basically a larger version of tortellini. Variations include baked cheese tortelloni and ravioli tortelloni. Try this recipe for tortelloni with ricotta and pumpkin filling, served with black truffle and butter.
Mezzelune
Mezzelune pasta is a typical pasta from the northern autonomous region of South Tyrol. It is like a ravioli except semi-circular in shape.
Fagottini
Fagottini pasta is a 'pinched' form of stuffed pasta, typically filled with vegetables like green beans and carrots. Discover the science behind this pasta shape.
Shell Pasta - Conchiglie
Usually, shell pasta or conchiglie are not stuffed-pasta shells, but rather there to 'catch' the sauce. So a typical shell pasta recipe is more a recipe for the sauce.
Pansotti
Pansotti pasta is a typical Ligurian cheese-filled pasta, the pansotti recipe usually includes a filling of ricotta, spinach, herbs and greens.
Cannelloni
The cylindrical stuffed cannelloni pasta usually contains spinach and ricotta, but there are meat versions such as beef cannelloni.
Try this recipe for cannelloni with spinach and gorgonzola sauce or this recipe for cannelloni filled with salmon and spinach.
Manicotti
Manicotti pasta, which means 'little sleeve', is a large, cylindrical stuffed-pasta similar to cannelloni. Often you;ll find baked manicotti or manicotti with cheese.
Serious about getting better acquainted with filled pasta from Italy? We suggest you roll up your sleeves and prepare our authentic handmade egg dough from scratch, then use it to make your choice of stuffed pasta with this delectable ricotta and herb filling.
Hungry for more? Try these stuffed pasta recipe ideas.
Via Food Republic
