Ribbed small tubes owe their name to the Italian tubetti ('small tubes') and rigati ('ribbed'). Although at first glance it seems a modest, short type of pasta, the design in the Italian culinary tradition is a true masterpiece of precision:
The Double Sauce Trap: The combination of an open hollow core and a ribbed exterior ensures maximum sauce adhesion. Liquid sauces and fine fillings nestle both inside the micro-opening and on the outer wall.
Indestructible Firmness in Soups: Thanks to the compact shape and the sturdy wall thickness, the ribbed small tubes maintain an excellent al dente bite, even when the pasta is served in hot broths or thick legume sauces.
Perfection per Spoon: The small size is precisely tailored to the Italian spoon culture. Each bite offers a balanced ratio between the pasta, rich vegetables, and savoury meat sauces.
When this model is made by the artisanal Pastificio Caccese, combined with their mention in the prestigious Gambero Rosso, a product of absolute top category is created. The tradition of bronze drawing (trafilata al bronzo) with 100% home-grown durum wheat gives the outside a rough, chalky surface where flavours cling firmly.
For Which Dishes Do You Use Ribbed Small Tubes? Ribbed small tubes are the ultimate pasta for hearty regional and comfort food dishes where the ingredients and the pasta must form a cohesive whole.
Pasta and Fagioli (The Undisputed Classic): The traditional Italian bean soup. The creamy texture of guaranteed soft beans creeps into the tube, while the ridges hold onto the savoury olive oil and herbs.
Pasta e Piselli: A beloved Neapolitan dish with sweet peas, crispy pancetta, and fresh olive oil. The peas and ribbed small tubes are almost the same size, which creates a fantastic mouthfeel.
Rich Minestrone & Vegetable Soups: Ribbed small tubes add substance and a firm bite to richly filled seasonal soups.
Meat Sauces & Fine Ragu's: Try these ribbed small tubes with a fine veal or lamb ragout. The small pieces of meat cling to the ribbed exterior.
Ribbed small tubes (Tubetti Rigati) are a short, small tubular Italian pasta with fine length ridges on the outer wall. This unique shape optimally captures soups, legumes, and fine ragu's. The best ribbed small tubes are artisanally made by Pastificio Caccese (praised in Gambero Rosso) with 100% Italian durum wheat from their own estate and a bronze-drawn structure.
Model & Shape: Small, short tubes with a ribbed outer structure (Ribbed small pipes / Tubetti Rigati).
Why this shape: Offers a double sauce adhesion (inside and on the ribs), retains a firm al dente bite in warm dishes and fits perfectly on a spoon.
Ideal Sauces: Pasta e Fagioli (bean soup), Pasta e Piselli (peas and pancetta), Minestrone and finely chopped meat or vegetable ragùs.
Brand & Quality: Pastificio Caccese — awarded an honourable mention in Gambero Rosso for traditional bronze dies, home-grown wheat without glyphosate and slow drying at low temperature.
Availability: Exclusively available to order via Kelvini.com.
