10 Cheapest Pasta Shapes—and When It Matters

As a pasta lover, you know the impact the right pasta shape can have on the taste and texture of your meal. But did you know that some pasta shapes are more budget-friendly than others? Here’s a rundown of the 18 cheapest pasta shapes and when their use really shines.

1. Spaghetti: The Classic Choice for Traditional Recipes

The most well-known pasta shape, spaghetti, is a staple in my pantry. Its affordability is a big reason why. But beyond that, spaghetti is the ideal choice for classic, tomato-based sauces like marinara or Bolognese. Its long, thin shape allows the sauce to cling perfectly.

2. Penne: Perfect for Baked Pasta Dishes

Next up is penne, a tube-shaped pasta that’s excellent for baked dishes. Its hollow center and ridges allow it to hold onto chunky meat or vegetable sauces, making it a cost-effective and versatile choice for your pasta repertoire.

3. Fusilli: Ideal for Pasta Salads and Creamy Sauces

With its fun, spiral shape, fusilli is a hit in pasta salads and creamy dishes. Its twists and turns trap in sauces and toppings, ensuring every bite has balanced flavor. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly way to add a gourmet touch to your meals.

4. Farfalle: The Best Pick for Light, Summery Dishes

Also known as “bow-tie pasta,” farfalle is perfect for light, summery dishes. Its unique shape makes it great for cold pasta salads or dishes with light, oil-based sauces. And the best part? It’s one of the most economical shapes you can buy.

5. Macaroni: A Must for Classic Comfort Food

Macaroni, the star of childhood comfort food, is both incredibly affordable and versatile. It’s a must-have for making homemade mac and cheese, but don’t limit yourself—macaroni also works well in soups, salads, and casseroles.

6. Rigatoni: The Right Choice for Hearty Meat Sauces

With its large, tube-like shape, rigatoni is a great choice for hearty meat sauces. Its ridges and hollow center help scoop up and hold onto the sauce, creating a satisfying bite every time. Plus, it’s another cost-effective pasta shape to keep in your pantry.

7. Rotini: Optimal for Holding onto Chunky Sauces

Rotini, with its tight spirals, is perfect for grabbing onto chunky sauces. Whether it’s a spicy arrabbiata or a chunky primavera, rotini ensures every bite is packed with flavor. And, it’s one of the most affordable pasta shapes on the market.

8. Orzo: The Go-To for Soup-Based Dishes

Orzo, resembling large grains of rice, is the go-to pasta shape for soup-based dishes. It’s also a fantastic and economical addition to salads or as a side dish, cooked risotto-style. Orzo cooks quickly, saving you time in the kitchen.

9. Vermicelli: A Staple in Asian-Inspired Noodle Dishes

Vermicelli is a thin, long pasta that’s a staple in Asian-inspired dishes. It’s a delicious and affordable choice for stir-fries or noodle soups. Plus, it’s quick-cooking, making it a perfect choice for weeknight dinners.

10. Linguine: The Top Choice for Seafood Sauces

Linguine, slightly wider than spaghetti, is the top choice for seafood sauces. Its flat, narrow shape is perfect for clinging onto light, delicate sauces. Despite its gourmet appeal, linguine is surprisingly budget-friendly.

11. Gnocchi: The Budget-Friendly Option for Gourmet Meals

While not technically a pasta, gnocchi deserves a spot on this list. These small, round dumplings are a cost-effective way to add a touch of gourmet to your meals. They’re particularly good with rich, robust sauces like ragu or gorgonzola cream.

12. Angel Hair: The Delicate Pasta for Light, Fragrant Sauces

Angel hair, or capellini, is a very thin pasta that’s best paired with light, fragrant sauces. Its delicate nature allows it to absorb flavors quickly, making it a great choice for simple, fresh dishes. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest pasta shapes you can find.

13. Pappardelle: The Best Partner for Rich, Slow-Cooked Sauces

Pappardelle is a wide, flat pasta that’s fantastic with rich, slow-cooked sauces. Its broad surface is perfect for hearty sauces like Bolognese or lamb ragu. Despite its fancy name, pappardelle is quite affordable, making gourmet meals accessible on any budget.

14. Fettuccine: Ideal for Velvety Alfredo Sauce

Fettuccine, another flat pasta, is the ideal match for velvety Alfredo sauce. The pasta’s wide surface area allows it to hold onto the creamy sauce, making each bite a delight. Fettuccine is another cost-effective pasta shape to add to your pantry.

15. Ziti: The Preferred Choice for Layered Baked Pasta

Ziti is a tube-shaped pasta that’s a popular choice for layered baked pasta dishes, like lasagna or baked ziti. Its ability to hold onto sauces and cheese makes it a hearty option for any meal. Plus, it’s one of the most budget-friendly pasta shapes out there.

16. Lasagna: The Essential for Traditional Italian Dishes

Lasagna sheets, while slightly more expensive than other pasta shapes, are still a cost-effective choice. They’re essential for traditional Italian dishes like lasagna alla Bolognese. Their large surface area is perfect for layering with rich sauces and cheese.

17. Tortellini: The Economical Option for Filling, One-Pot Meals

Tortellini, a stuffed pasta, is an economical option for filling, one-pot meals. Whether it’s cheese or meat-filled, tortellini is a great way to add variety to your dishes without breaking the bank. It’s especially good in broths or with simple butter sauces.

18. Manicotti: The Top Choice for Stuffed Pasta Dishes

Last but not least is manicotti. These large, tube-shaped pastas are perfect for stuffing with cheeses or meats. Despite their gourmet appearance, manicotti is an affordable pasta shape that can elevate your meals without straining your wallet.