In English-speaking countries, the name 'macaroni' is customarily given to a specific shape of pasta (i.e. small pasta tubes cut into short pieces).

The two stuffed pasta tubes were cooked just a touch beyond al dente and topped with tomato, melted mozzarella and fresh-ground Parmesan.

There are pasta tubes with chicken and tomato (or butter and cheese) for $6.

The curved shape is caused by the different speeds on either side of the pasta tube as it comes out of the machine.

Only manicotti lacked interest, the heavy pasta tube holding a bland ricotta filling.

One held cheriaf, pasta tubes filled with a mixture of minced beef, cheese, spices, particularly mint, and covered with a golden white sauce.

Paccheri, the short, fat pasta tubes popular in Campania, are served with a wonderful sweet sauce of stewed pork belly and onions.

Another entree in nuova cucina mode was cannelloni di funghi - four short pasta tubes filled with ricotta and wild mushrooms.

Instead of pasta tubes, however, they use a peptide molecule - a short chain of amino acids - that assembles itself into tiny tubes.

Charm school Strings of painted pasta tubes and shells will do for everyday wear, but something sparkly will add magic to staying up late on Christmas night.