Many people think all pasta shapes taste the same. On the contrary, your dinner will differ depending on the type of pasta you choose and which sauce it’s paired with. Learn more about the most common types of pasta so you know which to order at a restaurant.

4 Popular Pastas to Eat for Dinner

1. Spaghetti 

Spaghetti is the most common pasta. The thin, long, yellow noodles easily wrap around a fork. This lighter pasta works with a variety of flavors. Though it’s most commonly served with marinara sauce, puttanesca or carbonara also work well. Meatballs are classic additions to any spaghetti dish.

2. Penne 

Penne is a small cylindrical pasta with diagonally cut ends. It comes in flavors like spinach and tomato, but egg penne is the most popular. It’s so common because it’s versatile, complementing tomato, vegetable, meat, and cream sauces. 

3. Angel Hair

This type of pasta is also called capellini. It’s one of the thinnest types of pasta, so it does resemble hair. Since its strands are so delicate, it’s best for light sauces like thin tomato sauce, broth, or even just olive oil.

4. Linguine

These long, flat noodles resemble fettuccine, but they’re thinner. This pasta often accompanies seafood, especially shrimp and clams. It also picks up cream and pesto flavors well.

If you’re craving pasta for dinner during your Hawaii vacation, head to Atlantis Seafood & Steak in the heart of Waikiki. The fine dining restaurant offers a tantalizing menu of pasta dishes made from the freshest ingredients, like sautéed chicken marinara and garlic shrimp Italiano. If you’re in the mood for seafood, you can even choose your own crab or lobster from the tank. Visit them online to see their menu, or call (808) 922-6868 to make a reservation.