Tubular Pasta

This group of pasta includes any pasta that is hollow through the middle, forming a tube. Sold in a wide range of lengths, widths and textures, tubular pasta is ideal for serving with heavy or chunky sauces, as it may be held inside the tubes. The large tubes may also be stuffed and baked, whilst the smaller varieties are excellent for adding to salads or casseroles.

Serve tubular pasta with thick tomato sauces, chunky sauces, meat sauces and thick cream sauces. Tubes with thick ridges or grooves (termed 'rigati' or 'rigate') hold the sauce better than smooth-walled pasta (termed 'lisci' or lisce').