The difference
Ditalini vs Stelline
Both are pastina for broth, but ditalini are short ridged tubes, little thimbles, while stelline are tiny flat stars, often with a hole at the center. The tube has depth and walls, the star is a thin pressed shape. Ditalini holds more sauce, stelline is the classic children's soup pasta.

Ditalini
- Family
- Pastina
- Size
- 4 to 8 mm long
- Surface
- Ridged
- Cook
- 7 to 11 min
Wants: Bean and legume soups, Broth, Tomato sauce

Stelline
- Family
- Pastina
- Size
- 4.25 mm across
- Surface
- Smooth
- Cook
- 4 to 7 min
Wants: Broth, Butter and parmesan, Tomato sauce
Keep exploring
See the full profiles for Ditalini and Stelline, or compare more shapes.
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From the Almanac
Updates from Pasta Almanac, when there is something worth sharing.