Mostaccioli vs. Penne Pasta: What’s the Difference?

What are the differences between mostaccioli vs. penne pasta? If you’ve ever wandered down the pasta aisle at the grocery store you’ve probably stumbled upon these two pastas. While they may seem interchangeable they are actually a little different and have different applications when cooking.

These two types of pasta are very popular and can easily be found in most grocery stores around the country. Both pastas are characterized by the sharp angle of their ends which is achieved by using a specialized cutting tool. 

Both mostaccioli and penne pasta come from Italy but they differ in the regions, with one from South Italy and the other from the North of the country. They are made from the same ingredients but that doesn't mean they are used in the same types of recipes.

Explore the intriguing differences between mostaccioli vs. penne pasta for an exciting deep dive into different kinds of pasta. Discover what delicious recipes you can try out with these popular and versatile pasta types.

 Jump to Section

• What Is Mostaccioli Pasta?
• What Is Penne Pasta?
• What Similarities Are There Between Mostaccioli vs.Penne Pasta?
• What Is the Difference Between Mostaccioli vs. Penne Pasta?

What Is Mostaccioli Pasta?

When comparing Mostaccioli vs. penne pasta it may not seem like a big difference but they do each have their own unique qualities. Penne pasta is an overarching type of pasta that mostaccioli is a part of. Penne pasta refers to long tube-like pasta that is cut at an angle. Both kinds of pasta can be made from semolina flour, durum or wheat flour and they both look similar.

The origins of mostaccioli vs. penne pasta are where their differences begin. Mostaccioli originates from the Campania region of Southern Italy while Penne is from Genoa in the Liguria region of Northern Italy. Mostaccioli is simple to make because it only uses flour and water meaning it is a great option for people who don’t eat eggs such as vegans. 

How does the flavor of mostaccioli vs. penne compare? Mostaccioli is smooth on the outside while penne has little ridges. This means mostaccioli is great to use in recipes with lighter sauces and penne holds up better with a rich and creamy sauce. Mostaccioli is also great in chilled pasta salads such as this zesty Italian pasta with its light and refreshing sauce.

The flavor of both kinds of pasta is technically identical because the same dough is used to make both. The difference is in texture, which gives the pasta a different mouth feel and affects the perceived flavor of the dish.

What Does Mostaccioli Pasta Look Like?

Penne mostaccioli has a comical name meaning "small mustache" in Italian, referring to its smooth outside and angled edges. This pasta was given the name because of its similarity to the facial hair that grows above the upper lip. The main difference when comparing mostaccioli vs. penne is the appearance.

They are both made from wheat flour but mostaccioli is not ridged whereas penne is ridged along the outside. Mostaccioli has a smooth unridged outer layer which gives it a softer texture that pairs well with light, refreshing sauces. Using mostaccioli in baked dishes is also popular because of its soft texture when baked.

What Is Penne Pasta?

What are the differences between mostaccioli vs. penne pasta? Penne pasta is a short tube-like pasta with an angled end. The word penne means "quill" or "tip" in Italian and refers to the sharp angle at the end of the pasta that resembles an old-fashioned writing quill that was traditionally dipped into ink before writing.

Originally from Genoa in the Liguria region of Italy, this hand-made pasta has a long and storied past dating back to the 1800s. Penne pasta is one of the few pastas to have a specific birthdate. When Battista Capurro patented his diagonal pasta-cutting machine in 1865 penne pasta was born. With its long cylindrical shape and hollow center, penne pasta is commonly thought to be one of the most popular pasta shapes in the world, second only to spaghetti. 

When using mostaccioli vs. penne in recipes it is important to take into account the different textures associated with each noodle. Penne pasta can be used in a variety of dishes, such as this classic Italian recipe for penne pomodoro featuring tomato passata, fresh basil, crushed garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It is also great in baked dishes like Buffalo chicken pasta with lots of creamy cheese and spicy Buffalo sauce. 

What Does Penne Pasta Look Like?

What are the differences in appearance when it comes to mostaccioli vs. penne? Penne pasta is a long cylindrical type of pasta with angled edges and a hollow center. It is made with an extruder to achieve the symmetrical lines and then cut at a sharp angle. There are many common types of pasta made with extruders with penne pasta being one of the most popular. 

What Similarities Are There Between Mostaccioli vs. Penne Pasta?

• Mostaccioli vs. Penne Ingredients: Both of these pasta types are made with the same ingredients. Mostaccioli and penne are traditionally made with semolina flour, wheat flour or durum but gluten-free versions of penne are now available for those with gluten sensitivities. Both are also egg free so they are safe for vegans to consume.

• Mostaccioli vs. Penne Shape: Mostaccioli and penne are both cylindrically shaped with an angled edge on both ends. Mostaccioli is smooth on the outside while classic penne pasta has ridges around the outside. Both of these types of pasta are hollow on the inside like a small tube. 

What Is the Difference Between Mostaccioli vs. Penne Pasta?

There are many similarities and differences between mostaccioli vs. penne pasta. There are two different types of penne pasta: penne rigate and penne lisce. Mostaccioli is a type of penne lisce due to its smooth texture.

What is commonly thought of as penne pasta is traditionally known as penne rigate. The word rigate means "ridged", referring to the appearance of penne pasta. In contrast, lisce means smooth in Italian which is an apt description for the smooth outer surface of mostaccioli pasta.

The origins of mostaccioli vs. penne 

Mostaccioli is from Southern Italy while penne hails from Northern Italy. This separation in distance means the pasta evolved in different ways due to the regional differences of the cuisine. 

The taste of mostaccioli vs. penne

The taste of both types of pasta is very similar because they are both made out of the same flour. The tastes of these two pasta types can seem different because they are frequently used with other types of sauces. Mostaccioli is typically used with lighter sauces such as a fresh tomato sauce while penne pasta is usually paired with a rich and creamy sauce like a dairy-based alfredo. 

The texture of Mostaccioli vs. penne

The texture of mostaccioli vs. penne is the biggest difference between the two types of pasta. Mostaccioli is smooth on the outside and doesn’t have any ridges. The smooth outer portion of the mostaccioli can make it seem softer when cooked. The texture of penne has small ridges along the outer portion of the pasta making it seem a bit harder when cooked.

Production of Mostaccioli vs. Penne 

The production process of mostaccioli vs. penne pasta's manufacturing process has both similarities and key differences. The first step in making penne pasta and mostaccioli is to prepare the dough. The dough is made from just two simple ingredients: flour and water. The flour and water are then kneaded into a pasta dough.

This is where the differences between mostaccioli vs. penne come in. The penne pasta is pressed through a die using the traditional Italian methods. This artisan preparation technique gives the penne ridges which increase the pasta’s surface area and help the pasta absorb more sauce. In contrast, the mostaccioli pasta doesn't have ridges, so it is simply shaped into a cylinder and cut without the extra step of being pressed through a die.

Learning to make fresh pasta can be an exciting experience, one that you can enjoy by booking cooking classes near you. Discover the secrets behind making authentic pasta from scratch while learning from a five-star professional chef in an engaging hands-on environment. Master new skills such as kneading dough, rolling out and shaping the pasta and learn to make traditional pasta sauces from scratch for a hearty, restaurant-quality dish.

If going out isn’t your style try online cooking classes available from the comfort of your own home. Browse a wide catalog of cuisines offered, featuring classes such as French baking, Japanese sushi making and so much more. Learning about different cuisines from around the world can be a deeply rewarding and fun experience for all levels of home cooks. 

Mostaccioli and penne pasta are both incredible pasta varieties suited to various uses in the kitchen. From cheesy pasta bakes to refreshing cold pasta salads, there are so many exciting recipes to use these pastas in, and now that you know the similarities and differences between them, you'll be able to wow your dinner party guests with great food and your new-found culinary knowledge. 

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.