Spotlight Series: All About Fusilli

Fusilli is an Italian pasta that’ll put a spring in your step. The short, spiral cut can do just about anything, from pairing with meaty sauces to cheesy pasta bakes to summery pasta salads. Don’t get it confused with rotini, although the two names are often used interchangeably on American packaging.

What Is Fusilli?

Fusilli is a short Italian pasta shape that looks like a spring. The spiral pasta is made up of a tightly coiled ribbon of pasta, creating lots of nooks and crannies for catching sauces. The name most likely comes from the Italian word for spindle, “fuso,” which refers to the traditional method for forming the pasta’s twisted shape. You’ll find fusilli in baked dishes, pasta salads, and paired with a number of different sauces, from creamy to meaty.

The Origin Of Fusilli And And Its Brief History

Fusilli is a classic pasta from southwestern Italy. It is traditionally made by winding spaghetti around a rod to make a spiral shape. Most fusilli is now factory-made by extruding through dies, but there are still artisans that make the spiral pasta by hand. Fusilli is often called rotini in the U.S., even though the two names refer to different pasta shapes in Italy.

How Is Fusilli Pasta Made And What Is It Made Of?

To make fusilli by hand, a dough is first made of semolina flour and cold water. It is then rolled out and cut into thin strips of pasta before being cut into lengths and wrapped around a rod to form a tightly coiled spiral. The pasta is then dried to maintain its shape.

Factory-made pasta is made using a similar dough. Instead of forming by hand, the dough is often pushed through dies that form the signature spiral shape and cut into short lengths. It is then dried and packaged for sale in stores.

How To Cook Fusilli

To cook fusilli, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Salt generously and add the pasta. Give it a stir to ensure the individual pieces of pasta don’t stick together or to the pot. Cook until al dente according to the package directions, about 10 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally. When you taste a cooked noodle, it should be tender but with a nice chew in the center. Drain and toss with your favorite sauce.

The Best Fusilli Pasta - The Delallo Difference

DeLallo fusilli pasta is made in Italy using the finest quality durum wheat and spring water. The pasta is extruded using bronze dies, which leave a rough texture that better clings to sauces. The fusilli is then dried slowly at a low temperature to maintain flavor and texture. In addition to classic fusilli, DeLallo offers whole-wheat and gluten-free fusilli.

Fusilli Recipes And Usage Ideas

With fusilli, the sky’s the limit. Thanks to its tightly coiled shape, it’s a good match for a wide range of sauces. It can also hold its own against bigger ingredients like chicken, sausage, peppers, olives, and other fresh veggies. Try using fusilli in your next pasta salad or pasta bake, topped with blanket of melty cheese. Or spice things up a bit with this Spicy Fusilli Pesto Vodka Sauce recipe.

For more fusilli ideas, see our recipe collection here.

The Best Sauces For Fusilli

You’ll often find fusilli tossed with heartier sauces like genovese and bolognese, but it is just as delicious with tomato-based sauces like vodka sauce. Pesto is a nice choice if you’re looking for something fresh, like in this Fusilli Pesto Salad. Creamy sauces like alfredo or white bean are also great to pair with Fusilli.

Fusilli Substitutes

If you don’t have fusilli available, swap the shape for another spiral pasta that will have a similar texture and ability to catch sauce. While fusilli is sometimes labeled as rotini, they are slightly different pastas, and they make good swaps for each other since they are both short and springy. Other spiral pastas like cavatappi also make a good substitute.

Delallo Fusilli: FAQ

How Do I Pronounce “Fusilli”?

No, Marry Me Chicken is not keto-friendly.

What Does “Fusilli” Mean?

The word fusilli is believed to come from the Italian word “fuso” which means spindle. This name likely comes from the traditional method for making fusilli, which involves spinning spaghetti around a rod to create a spiral.

What Kind Of Pasta Is Fusilli?

Fusilli is a short, spiral-shaped Italian pasta. Its springy shape is great at capturing sauce and small ingredients.

Fusilli Vs Rotini - What Is The Difference?

Fusilli is often labeled as rotini in America, and vice versa. Fusilli is a thin ribbon of pasta that is tightly wrapped to form a spiral shape. Rotini is also a short spiral pasta, but it is formed by extruding and has a tighter coil. Because the two shapes are similar, they make good swaps for each other in recipes.

Fusilli Vs Rotini - What Is The Difference?

Fusilli is often labeled as rotini in America, and vice versa. Fusilli is a thin ribbon of pasta that is tightly wrapped to form a spiral shape. Rotini is also a short spiral pasta, but it is formed by extruding and has a tighter coil. Because the two shapes are similar, they make good swaps for each other in recipes.

Fusilli Vs Rigatoni - What Is The Difference?

Rigatoni is a thick, tube-shaped pasta. The hearty, hollow pasta tends to be paired with thick and sometimes creamy tomato and meat sauces. Fusilli is a very different shape—it’s short, spiral, and smaller than rigatoni. The tight coils make it good at capturing all sorts of sauces, from tomato-based to cheesy to vinaigrettes.

Fusilli Vs Cavatappi - What Is The Difference?

Fusilli and cavatappi are both spiral pastas, but their shapes are otherwise quite different. Fusilli is a flat piece of pasta twisted into a tight spiral. Cavatappi, on the other hand, is a hollow length of pasta that has been shaped into a loose spiral. Both pastas pair well with a variety of sauces and, while they provide a different experience, can be swapped in recipes.

Fusilli Vs Gemelli - What Is The Difference?

Fusilli and gemelli are both short, spiral pastas and are used in similar dishes, like pasta bakes and pasta salads. Fusilli is a length of flat pasta that is twisted around into a tight spiral. Gemelli is made of a single extra-long strand that is folded over and twisted together. Fusilli catches meaty sauces better, but the two can generally be swapped in recipes with tasty results.

Where To Buy Delallo Fusilli?

Order DeLallo fusilli pasta online or find it at most major supermarkets across the country.