Which pasta shape is named after the Italian word for “little bells”?

Campanelle is the pasta shape named after the Italian word for “little bells.” The name refers to its fluted, bell-like form, which has a ruffled edge and a hollow center.

Campanelle is also known by names including gigli, meaning lilies, because its shape can resemble a small flower. It is a short pasta designed to catch sauce in its central cavity and among its folded edges. It is commonly paired with rich sauces, cheese, vegetables, or ingredients such as sausage.

The shape is sometimes associated with Tuscany, although pasta naming and production can vary between regions and manufacturers. Like many Italian pastas, its identity is based on shape as much as on ingredients.

Campanelle should not be confused with conchiglie, which are shell-shaped, or farfalle, which are pinched in the center and resemble butterflies. Those shapes also hold sauce well, but their names describe different visual forms.