Spotlight Series: All About Fusilli Col Buco

Fusilli col buco has a fun name, a fun shape and is just as fun to eat. This is all thanks to its unusual shape—long, hollow strands with a corkscrew shape. Fusilli col buco is a versatile pasta cut, harmonizing with a wide range of sauces, while retaining a delightful al dente bite. If you’ve ever wondered “What is fusilli col buco pasta, exactly?” keep reading to learn all about this unique Italian pasta.

DeLallo Fusilli Col Buco: Fast Facts

• Category: Tubular pasta, shaped pasta
• Meaning: Little spindle with hole
• Cook time: 11 to 12 minutes
• Place of Origin: Lazio region, Italy
• Main Ingredients: durum wheat, water
• Alternative Names: Fusilli lunghi col buco
• Possible Substitutes: fusilli, fusilli lunghi, bucatini

What Is Fusilli Col Buco?

Fusilli col buco is a long, hollow pasta from Italy with a corkscrew shape. Think of it as long hollow fusilli noodles. Fusilli col buco’s hollow center and curves ensure the pasta will capture sauce extremely well—from hearty ragùs to chunky mushroom sauces to thinner sauces like pesto and marinara. Of course, fusilli col buco pairs well with classic tomato sauces too. Its signature shape makes it just as fun to eat as it is to serve.

How Do I Pronounce Fusilli Col Buco?

Fusilli col buco is pronounced “fu-zee-lee cul boo-ko.” The word fusilli roughly translates as “little spindles,” a reference to the pasta’s twisted shape. Fusilli col buco means “fusilli with a hole,” referring to the pasta’s hollow center.

The Origin Of Fusilli Col Buco And Its Brief History

While it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact location for some pasta shapes that have changed over time, it is said that fusilli, as we know it, was likely developed in Southern Italy (specifically Campania), as Naples was at the center of pasta manufacturing beginning in the 18th century.

Early fusilli noodles were made by twisting fresh spaghetti around a rod or knitting needle and allowing it to dry in a corkscrew shape. Early fusilli col buco was likely made in the same way but using longer, hollow pasta noodles. Starting in the 19th century, Italian pasta making became mechanized, resulting in the fusilli and fusilli col buco we know today.

How Is Fusilli Col Buco Made And What Is It Made Of?

Authentic Italian pasta like DeLallo Fusilli col Buco is made with just two ingredients: ground durum wheat (known as durum wheat semolina) and spring water. The dough is kneaded together before shaping and extruding into its shape.

Fusilli col buco’s shape is made by extruding pasta dough through dies or plates. The pasta dough is added to the machine and is pushed manually or mechanically through a hollow die in a spiral shape. Though some companies use Teflon for a quicker way to extrude pasta, DeLallo uses artisanal bronze dies to extrude its pasta. This creates a rougher homestyle surface texture that best captures sauces. Once noodles are dried, they are packaged to sell.

How To Cook Fusilli Col Buco

To cook fusilli col buco, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. We recommend 5 quarts of water per 1 pound of pasta. Season the water generously with salt. Add the pasta and gently stir to ensure the pasta noodles do not stick. Cook for that ideal al dente texture, checking for doneness a little before the package cook time. DeLallo Fusilli col Buco takes about 11 minutes. When you taste the pasta, it should be tender with a slight bite in the center. This pleasing bite is what’s known as al dente. Drain and toss with your favorite sauce.

Note that if you plan to cook the pasta further in the sauce—tossing it over the heat until it is well-coated, for instance—you may want to cook the fusilli col buco slightly less than al dente, since it will continue to cook in the sauce.

The Best Fusilli Col Buco Pasta - The Delallo Difference

Made in Italy, DeLallo Fusilli col Buco is made with generations of pasta making experience and the finest durum wheat. This wheat is expertly milled into durum wheat semolina flour. From there, semolina is combined with cool spring water to form the pasta dough. DeLallo uses no additives or enriched flours—just wheat and water. Fusilli col buco gets its shape from bronze dies, an artisanal method that gives noodles a rough surface texture to capture sauces at every twist and turn. DeLallo Fusilli col Buco is slowly dried to maintain its flavor, imitating traditional pasta making and producing high-quality pasta you can enjoy at home.

The Best Fusilli Col Buco Pasta - The Delallo Difference

With its unique shape, fusilli col buco is excellent at trapping sauces. It is sturdy enough to pair nicely with thick or chunky sauces, such as a meaty ragùs. Its long strands and hollow centers make it a good match for thinner sauces too, like pesto and fresh tomato sauces.

For a simple but flavorful dinner, make this Fusilli with an Easy Tomato and Pesto Sauce or the famous Pesto Rosso. And who doesn’t love buttered noodles? This Easy Weeknight Butter Noodle recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, and the kids will love the classic flavors and the fun pasta shape. Fusilli col buco goes wonderfully with cheesy sauces, too, like in this Fusilli with 3 Cheese Pomodoro and Zucchini Alfredo With Fusilli Col Buco. For a simpler, veggie-forward dish, make Authentic Pasta Primavera using fusilli col buco.

Beyond pasta main dishes, fusilli col buco is also excellent in soups like chicken noodle soup or Pasta Fagioli. Break it up into shorter pieces before adding it directly to the broth to cook.

Check out our recipe collection for more fusilli col buco recipes!

The Best Sauces For Fusilli Col Buco

The sky is the limit when it comes to saucing fusilli col buco. This curly pasta shape pairs nicely with a wide variety of sauces and ingredients. Classic fresh or jarred tomato sauces are always a good choice, as is any kind of pesto sauce. Simpler olive oil-based sauces featuring fresh ingredients like sautéed mushrooms, Italian sausage, leafy greens and other vegetables also work well.

Creamy or cheesy sauces are a fun choice for fusilli col buco, as are meaty sauces like rustic ragùs and bolognese sauces.

Fusilli Col Buco Substitutes

The easiest swap for fusilli col buco is regular fusilli. It is widely available and still has a twisted shape. If possible, look for fusilli that looks more like springs or telephone wire to better mimic the shape of fusilli col buco. Note that standard fusilli is much shorter and does not have a hollow center.

Another good option is Bucatini, since the noodles are long and hollow, helping it capture sauces. Still, bucatini lacks the spiral shape of fusilli col buco.

Delallo Fusilli Col Buco: FAQ

What Does Fusilli Col Buco Pasta Look Like?

Fusilli col buco has a fun shape that kids and adults will love. The long noodles are hollow with a distinct corkscrew shape. Sometimes the extra-long strands are bent in the center to fit into a package.

What Does Fusilli Mean In Italian?

The Italian word fusilli means “little spindles” in English, referring to the pasta’s twisted shape. Fusilli col buco means “fusilli with a hole,” or “little spindles with holes.”

Fusilli Col Buco Vs Fusilli - What Is The Difference?

There are two major differences between fusilli and fusilli col buco. The first is their length: fusilli is a short cut pasta shape (like penne rigate and rigatoni), while fusilli col buco is made of long strands (like spaghetti and capellini). The second difference is fusilli col buco is hollow, while fusilli is not. Both pastas have a spiral shape, which helps them to capture sauce and small ingredients like crumbled Italian sausage.

Where To Buy Delallo Fusilli Col Buco?

Order DeLallo Fusilli col Buco online or find it at most major supermarkets across the country.