The difference
Tonnarelli vs Spaghetti
Tonnarelli is spaghetti's square-cut cousin. Where spaghetti is round and smooth, tonnarelli has a square section and a rougher, more porous surface from the wire frame it is cut on, so it grips an emulsified cheese sauce better. That grip is why Rome reaches for tonnarelli, not spaghetti, for cacio e pepe.
Tonnarelli
- Family
- Long strands
- Size
- 2 to 3 mm wide
- Surface
- Textured
- Cook
- 6 to 13 min
Wants: Cacio e pepe, Amatriciana, Carbonara
Spaghetti
- Family
- Long strands
- Size
- 250 to 300 mm long
- Surface
- Smooth
- Cook
- 9 to 12 min
Wants: Tomato sauce, Carbonara, Garlic and oil
Compare more shapes, or look up Tonnarelli and Spaghetti in full.