Here’s another shape that shows the Italian flair for a fun sense of design. In Italian, “orecchio” is “ear,” so this pasta translates as “little ears.” Orecchiette pairs well with American-inspired pasta salads and also makes a velvety smooth macaroni and cheese. In traditional Italian cooking, orecchiette is often paired with dairy-based sauces, tomato-based sauces (with or without vegetables) and chunky fish/meat-based sauces.