What Are Soup Pasta Shapes?

Soup pasta shapes were created with a variety of soups in mind. They are smaller than your normal pasta allowing them to act as an ingredient in the soup rather than soaking up all the broth. Barilla carries small soup pasta shapes such as orzo, pastina, ditalini, and fideo cut spaghetti.

Want inspiration for how to use these soup pasta shapes? Check out Barilla's collection of Soup Recipes here!

Pastina Pasta Uses and Recipe Inspiration

Pastina are small, star-shaped pasta pieces ideal for chicken soups or in "Italian Penicillin." Pastina can be used outside of soup in risottos, as a filling in vegetables, or on top of salads.

Want to try a new pastina dish? Check out Barilla® Classic Blue Box Pastina recipes for more inspiration!

Ditalini Pasta Uses and Recipe Inspiration

Ditalini, meaning "small thimbles" in Italian, is a mini tube-shaped pasta that is just the right size for adding to other ingredients in a soup.

Ditalini is a classic choice for soups like Minestrone, vegetable soups, or most famously pasta e fagioli. Ditalini also works well in a variety of other dishes such as pasta salads, or as a stuffing for peppers or tomatoes.

Ready to try a new ditalini recipe? Grab a box of Barilla® Classic Blue Box Ditalini and get cooking!

Orzo Pasta for Soups

Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta that means "barley" in Italian. This shape is used frequently in soups, but is also used in risottos, pasta salads, or in several side dish recipes.

For more inspiration, check out a selection of our favorite orzo pasta recipes.

Fideo Cut Spaghetti for Soups

For those who love delicate, thin pasta strands in their soups, try Fideo Cut Spaghetti. Used in Mexican and Spanish dishes, Fideo Cut Spaghetti is ideal for flavorful broths, tomato-based soups, stews, and classic chicken soups.

Try one of our Barilla® Classic Blue Box Fideo Cut Spaghetti recipes today.