Pasta Almanac

The difference

Cavatappi vs Fusilli

Both are corkscrews, but cavatappi is a hollow ridged tube wound into a spiral, with a hole through the middle, while fusilli is a solid twisted ribbon. Cavatappi's hollow and ridges grab thick sauces and bake well, fusilli's spirals hold a clinging pesto or tomato.

Gouache illustration of Cavatappi

Cavatappi

Family
Shaped shorts
Size
35 mm long
Surface
Ridged
Cook
7 to 12 min

Wants: Cheese sauce, Tomato sauce, Ragu

Gouache illustration of Fusilli

Fusilli

Family
Shaped shorts
Size
35 to 40 mm long
Surface
Smooth
Cook
8 to 11 min

Wants: Pesto Genovese, Neapolitan ragu, Vodka sauce

Compare more shapes, or look up Cavatappi and Fusilli in full.