Pasta Pronunciation Guide

From spaghetti to tortellini, pasta names are as rich as the dishes themselves, but sometimes they can be tricky to pronounce. That’s why Barilla® created this pasta pronunciation guide to help you say your favorite pasta shapes using both English and Italian pasta pronunciation.

Filled Pasta

Filled pasta like tortellini often features soft, flowing sounds that reflect its Italian roots. In American English, tortellini is typically pronounced tor-tuh-LEE-nee, while the Italian pronunciation is tor-tel-LEE-nee. However you say it, this classic shape is always known for its rich, satisfying fillings.

Lasagne

Lasagne and lasagna are often used interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference worth noting. “Lasagne” is the Italian plural form, referring to the pasta sheets themselves. “Lasagna” is commonly used in American English to describe the dish. In English, it’s often pronounced luh-ZAHN-yuh, while the Italian pronunciation is lah-ZAHN-yeh, and both are widely understood.

Long Pasta Shapes

Long pasta shapes like spaghetti and fettuccine are kitchen staples, each with a name rooted in Italian. Spaghetti is commonly pronounced spuh-GET-ee in English and spah-GAYT-tee in Italian, while fettuccine is fet-uh-CHEE-nee in English and feht-too-CHEE-neh in Italian. These familiar shapes are as versatile as they are iconic.

Mini Pasta Shapes

Mini pasta shapes bring both versatility and charm to everyday meals and are perfect for lighter dishes or quick recipes. Mini farfalle (farfalline) is pronounced far-fuh-LEE-nee in English and far-fah-LEE-neh in Italian and mini penne (pennette) is pen-ET-ee or pehn-NET-teh.

Pasta Shells

Pasta shells come in a variety of sizes, each designed to hold sauces and fillings. Orecchiette is pronounced oh-rek-ee-ET-ee in English and oh-rek-KYET-teh in Italian. Meanwhile manicotti is man-uh-KOT-ee or mah-nee-KOT-tee. Larger shells like conchiglie follow similar patterns, with slightly different Italian endings.

Short Pasta Shapes

Short pasta shapes are known for their unique textures and playful forms. Penne is typically pronounced PEN-nay in English and PEHN-neh in Italian and rigatoni is rig-uh-TOH-nee or ree-gah-TOH-nee. Shapes like fusilloni (foo-zil-LOH-nee) and farfalle (far-FAH-lay) highlight the rhythm and musicality of Italian pronunciation.

Soup Pasta Shapes

Soup pasta shapes may be small, but their names still carry distinct pronunciation. Orzo is pronounced OR-zoh in English and OR-tso in Italian and ditalini is dee-tuh-LEE-nee or dee-tah-LEE-nee. Pastina, a comforting favorite, is pas-TEE-nuh in English and pah-STEE-nah in Italian.