What pasta shape is named 'little ears'?

The pasta shape named “little ears” is orecchiette.

The name comes from the Italian word orecchio, meaning “ear,” with the diminutive ending giving the sense of “little ears.” Orecchiette are small, round pasta pieces with a characteristic cup-like center and slightly thicker rim.

They are strongly associated with Puglia in southern Italy, especially Bari, where the traditional dish orecchiette con le cime di rapa pairs them with broccoli rabe, garlic, olive oil and often anchovy. Their hollow shape is useful for catching sauce, vegetables and small ingredients.

Orecchiette are sometimes confused with conchiglie because both can hold sauce, but conchiglie are shell-shaped and usually have a more pronounced opening. Cavatappi and fusilli are spirals, while orecchiette are defined by their ear-like, cupped form.