The difference

Macaroni vs Penne

Macaroni is the small smooth elbow, a short curved tube about 4 mm across. Penne is bigger, ridged, and cut on the diagonal to a point. Macaroni is the everyday cheese sauce shape, while penne's ridges and wider bore handle a chunkier tomato or vegetable sauce.

Gouache illustration of Macaroni

Macaroni

Family: Tubes
Size: 15 mm long
Surface: Smooth
Cook: 5 to 10 min

Wants: Cheese sauce, Tomato sauce, Bean and legume soups

Gouache illustration of Penne

Penne

Family: Tubes
Size: 48 to 50 mm long
Surface: Ridged
Cook: 10 to 12 min

Wants: Arrabbiata, Vodka sauce, Tomato sauce

Keep exploring

See the full profiles for Macaroni and Penne, or compare more shapes.

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From the Almanac

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