Pastasty

Pasta Cooking Times by Shape: 20 Shapes Compared

Comparisons, Pasta Cooking Techniques Published:

Checked on 2 November 2026: compiled with AI from the official sites listed in the sources, each figure confirmed by two separate searches of the official site or on the page itself, and read by our editor before publication; every month the figures are checked again, automatically. Rules and prices change; the official site always has the last word.

How long does each pasta shape need? Below are the cooking times of 20 shapes, as Barilla gives them on its own product pages, read on 2 November 2026. Other brands of the same shape are usually within a minute or two, depending on thickness.

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Written with AI from the sources listed at the end.

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A dash means the figure was not confirmed on the official site on the date checked.
Pasta Cooking Times by Shape (checked 2 November 2026)
ShapeShortest time (minutes)Longest time (minutes)
Spaghetti910
Thin Spaghetti67
Angel Hair45
Linguine910
Fettuccine1213
Bucatini911
Penne1112
Mini Penne910
Rigatoni1213
Ziti1112
Rotini78
Fusilli1111
Farfalle1112
Elbows78
Medium Shells89
Jumbo Shells912
Orzo910
Ditalini1011
Gemelli1213
Orecchiette1214

How to use this table

  • The shorter time gives pasta al dente, firm to the bite; the longer one softer pasta.
  • Time from when the water returns to a full boil after the pasta goes in; stir in the first minute so it does not stick.
  • If the pasta will finish cooking in a sauce or in the oven, take it out a minute or two before the shorter time.

Before you rely on it

  • The times are Barilla’s for its own pasta; thicker or bronze-die pasta of other brands may take longer.
  • At high altitude water boils cooler and pasta takes longer. The date each row was checked is in the sources.

Sources