Probably the smallest variety of pastina, acini di pepe (also called peperini) are ideal for broths.

Minute letters and number that are especially appealing to children.

Select these light anellini for vegetable and meat broths.

Break up these very fine pasta strands and cook them in broth.

Light soups, perhaps those containing vegetables or lentils, suit these shapes.

Use this delicate pastina shap in broths and light soups.

This quirky mushroom-shaped egg pasta works well in heartier soups.

Shaped like grains of barley, orzi are perfect for my versioon of stracciatella.

These tiny egg pasta squares are ideal for giving extra body to light broths.

This pasta variety, which is also called pasta a riso, mimics rice grains very convincingly when cooked.

Delicate star shapes are often tossd with butter and hot milk.

These tiny macaroni can be used in light soups. The larger tubetti are perfect for minestrone.