Which pasta variety is shaped like short, narrow curved tubes?

Macaroni is a type of Italian pasta in the shape of a small, curved tube. It may also come in straight tubes. A popular dish made with macaroni is 'Macaroni and cheese', which consists of the pasta mixed in a cheese sauce. The earliest record of the dish dates to 1390 in a medieval collection of recipes called 'Forme of Cury'.

There are several theories about the meaning of the word 'macaroni'. Some believe it derives from the name of the Greek goddess of the 'blessed dead', Macaria. Another theory suggests it come from the Greek 'makaria', a kind of barley broth. On the other hand, British author Professor John Dickie (born 1963) claims it comes from the Latin word 'maccare', meaning to pound or crush.

Macaroni is a popular variety of pasta throughout the world and has been adopted into Western and Eastern cuisine. In Asia, the pasta is cooked in water and served in clear broth with ingredients such as ham, sausages, peas and mushrooms. In Malaysia, it is sometimes used in stir-fries.