Inspiration
7 Best Pasta Shapes for Soup, AKA Comfort in a Bowl
Set the table for soothing warmth. For the house-filling aroma of thyme, rosemary, and savory stock greeting you at the door. And the satisfying bite of fork-tender veggies, rich broth, and egg noodle ribbons (one of the best noodles for soup, in our humble opinion). It’s a feast in one wondrous bowl.
Try out these soup-friendly pasta shapes for a little something new, or for delish substitutes in a pinch.
Best Noodles for Soup: Egg Noodles
Egg noodles and soup just belong together. There’s nothing like coming inside, shucking off your cold layers, and ladling up a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup. Filling, hearty ribbons soak up all the broth’s flavor while adding a rich egg note. Pure bliss. Medium, Wide, and Extra Wide Egg Noodles all add a delish twist to soup. But you’ll find Extra Wide the easiest to spoon up since they’re actually the shortest of the trio!
Whip up a masterpiece with this Pork and Chile Verde Soup. Egg noodles are hefty enough to support the pull-apart pork, plus the fresh lime tang brightens everything up.
Itty-Bitty, Small Pasta for Soup: Acini di Pepe
Little dots, but you’ll want the big pot. Acini di Pepe’s small shape makes it supremely easy to scoop. You’ll get a balanced bite of silky spinach with a smattering of Acini di Pepe. Have a confetti celebration when Spinach Soup is ready for dinner.
Ditalini, a Thimble of Joy
Ditalini is a popular shape for Southern Italian Pasta Fagioli. Bean soup! Because of its larger size, Ditalini holds up in heartier soups. Tender, silky legumes make a lovely combo for these thimbles of joy. The middle is hollow for spoon-sipping goodness, made for meals savored on chill nights then ferried to work for lunch the next day.
Make it a meatless protein kinda night with our Pasta Fagioli recipe.
Small Shells for Cradling Broth
Small Shells are the cute, scoop-it-up shape. Broth nestles in mini pockets for a bite brimming with flavor. Ridges add a tasty texture. You’ll want the big bowl for this one. Stir up a broccoli cheddar soup with Small Shells, like little cups for cheese. Make lentil soup with a shell spin. The possibilities are endless!
Orzo, a Versatile Classic
Orzo is small and shaped like a grain of rice. Or a seed. Ready to grow into a fragrant bowl of face-warming soup. Offering a dainty bite like other small pasta for soup, Orzo pairs beautifully with a light broth. Make an extra-large batch and freeze half. Your future self will thank you.
Best Pasta for Soup, Twirlable Edition: Angel Hair
So light. So delicate. So gloriously twirlable. Angel Hair is our thinnest pasta, so it glides through broths. Think ramen-style recipes. The size makes it a great choice to step outside the small-soup-shape comfort zone.
Soup is so customizable, so the best pasta for soup depends on the moment. You can switch up shapes. Toss in a seasonable veggie. Add everything but the kitchen sink. It’s all delish, so open the cupboard and see what strikes your fancy.
