Pasta Almanac

The difference

Bucatini vs Bigoli

Both are thick long strands, but bucatini is smooth and pierced down the center, a hollow straw, while bigoli is solid, rough, and usually whole wheat, pushed through a Veneto press. Bucatini's hole pulls sauce inside for amatriciana, bigoli's rough body grabs an anchovy and onion sauce.

Gouache illustration of Bucatini

Bucatini

Family
Long strands
Size
250 to 300 mm long
Surface
Smooth
Cook
7 to 11 min

Wants: Amatriciana, Gricia, Cacio e pepe

Gouache illustration of Bigoli

Bigoli

Family
Long strands
Size
2.5 to 4 mm across
Surface
Textured
Cook
22 min

Wants: Ragu

Compare more shapes, or look up Bucatini and Bigoli in full.