Best Short Pasta of 2026

Kiera Browne Avatar
Kiera Browne
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2026

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Short pasta is a versatile and delicious food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Made from durum wheat semolina, short pasta comes in a range of shapes and sizes, including penne, fusilli, rigatoni, and macaroni. Whether you prefer it with a classic tomato sauce, a creamy cheese sauce, or mixed with vegetables and herbs, short pasta is a convenient and satisfying meal option. It can also be used in salads, soups, and casseroles for added texture and flavour. With so many options to choose from, short pasta is a great pantry staple to have on hand for quick and easy meals.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Garofalo Ditaloni Rigate Vegan Pasta 500g Cover #TOP 1
Garofalo Ditaloni Rigate Vegan Pasta 500g
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Rummo Farfalle Pasta No.85, 500 g Pack Cover #TOP 2
Rummo Farfalle Pasta No.85, 500 g Pack
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Rummo Rigatoni Pasta No.50, 500 g Pack Cover #TOP 3
Rummo Rigatoni Pasta No.50, 500 g Pack
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 5 Short Pasta

Garofalo Ditaloni Rigate Vegan Pasta 500g

500 g (Pack of 1)
Garofalo Ditaloni Rigate Vegan Pasta 500g Cover
Garofalo Ditaloni Rigate Italian Soup Pasta - Vegan and Small Pasta Shapes, 500g (Pack of 1)

Garofalo Ditaloni Pasta is a premium choice made by the renowned pasta maker from Gragnano, Italy. Since 1789, they have been crafting high-quality pasta, and the Ditaloni shape is perfect for holding onto rich sauces, making your meals more enjoyable. With its ridged pattern, this pasta works wonderfully in lighter dishes and minestrone soup as well. It boasts Pasta di Gragnano IGP status, ensuring that you receive the best quality. Made from 100% durum wheat semolina, it is high in protein and cooks to a delightful al dente texture.

What We Like
High-quality Italian pasta
Great for rich sauces
High in protein
Vegan and egg-free

Rummo Farfalle Pasta No.85, 500 g Pack

PR006-1
500 g (Pack of 1)
Rummo Farfalle Pasta No.85, 500 g Pack Cover
Rummo Farfalle Pasta No.85 - Elegant Italian Butterfly Pasta, Crafted for Light & Flavourful Dishes, 500 g (Pack of 1)

Rummo Farfalle Pasta is a delightful butterfly-shaped pasta that excels in capturing the essence of light sauces, enhancing your meals with flavour. It is expertly crafted to maintain a consistently al dente texture, making it perfect for sautéing or double-cooking. This pasta showcases the classic shapes of Italian cuisine, allowing you to create authentic dishes with ease. The unique bronze extrusion process gives it a rough surface that absorbs sauces beautifully, transforming your culinary creations from ordinary to extraordinary.

What We Like
Captures sauce flavours well
Consistently al dente texture
Classic Italian pasta shape
Rough surface enhances sauce absorption

Rummo Rigatoni Pasta No.50, 500 g Pack

PR007-1
500 g (Pack of 1)
Rummo Rigatoni Pasta No.50, 500 g Pack Cover
Rummo Rigatoni Pasta No.50 - Premium Italian Tube Pasta, Expertly Ridged for a Robust Sauce Retention, 500 g (Pack of 1)

Rummo Rigatoni Pasta offers a taste of traditional Italian cuisine, originating from Rome. These generous, ridged tubes are perfect for creating delicious recipes, especially with hearty meat ragù or savoury oven-baked dishes like eggplant casserole. You can enjoy consistently al dente pasta, ensuring a delightful texture even after cooking. Furthermore, the pasta's special bronze extrusion technique provides a rough surface that absorbs sauces beautifully, elevating your meals from simple to truly mouth-watering.

What We Like
Traditional Italian flavour
Perfect for various recipes
Remains al dente
Rough surface for sauce absorption
#TOP 4

Garofalo Casarecce Dry Pasta 500g Pack

500 g (Pack of 1)
Garofalo Casarecce Dry Pasta 500g Pack Cover
Garofalo Casarecce Dry Pasta 500g

The Garofalo Casarecce Pasta is made from the finest durum wheat semolina, ensuring a natural and high-quality taste that you will appreciate with every bite. Its unique short, twisted shape is very versatile, making it perfect for pairing with both light and chunky sauces, so you can easily create a variety of dishes. Originating from Sicily and central southern Italy, this pasta carries an authentic homemade feel, adding a traditional touch to your meals. Additionally, it suits both vegan and vegetarian diets, offering a convenient option for many food preferences.

What We Like
High-quality durum wheat
Versatile shape for sauces
Authentic Italian origin
Vegan and vegetarian friendly
#TOP 5

Garofalo 500g Rigatoni Dry Pasta

500 g (Pack of 1)
Garofalo 500g Rigatoni Dry Pasta Cover
Garofalo Rigatoni Dry Pasta, 500g

Garofalo Rigatoni Pasta is a premium Italian product made by a renowned pasta maker since 1789. With its Pasta di Gragnano IGP status, you can be assured of its high-quality standards. The tube-shaped rigatoni is perfect for pairing with rich meat sauces or for baked dishes, providing versatility in your cooking. Made from 100% superior quality durum wheat semolina, it ensures an al dente texture, making every meal a delightful experience for you and your guests.

What We Like
High-quality Italian pasta
Perfect for meat sauces
Al dente texture
Vegan and vegetarian friendly
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a short pasta?

Short Cuts: Penne, Rigatoni, Farfalle, Orecchiette, etc. Short cuts are made to capture hearty ragùs and chunky vegetable sauces in their sturdy hollows and ridges, giving satisfying bursts of flavor as you eat. As a general guide, choose a pasta shape that has the right size hollow to catch the pieces in your sauce.

2. What is the smallest size pasta?

Orzo. Orzo is often mistaken for a grain, but it's a type of pasta, possibly the smallest of the small pasta shapes. It resembles rice, and it's often used to make orzo pasta salads. It can also add great texture to soups.

Editor's Notes

During our short pastum research, we found 306 short pastum products and shortlisted 5 quality products. We collected and analyzed 19,950 customer reviews through our big data system to write the short pasta list. We found that most customers choose short pasta with an average price of £20.00.

The short pasta are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of short pasta, including Garofalo, Rummo.

Written by
Kiera Browne Avatar

Kiera Browne served as chef and caterer in Purslane Restaurant for three years before establishing her restaurant. Kiera now owns two restaurants and a culinary school all over the United Kingdom. Kiera has featured in magazines and editorials, providing recipes for various dishes. Using her skills and knowledge in the culinary field, Kiera has published few pamphlets on preparing various cuisines.