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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Macaroni

Macaroni is a type of pasta usually shaped as short, hollow tubes, often made from semolina or durum wheat flour and water.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Macaroni is a tubular pasta, typically made from semolina or durum wheat flour and water. In North America, it commonly refers to the curved elbow-shaped variety used in dishes like macaroni and cheese.

What it is

Macaroni is a type of pasta defined by its short, hollow tube shape. It is usually made from durum wheat semolina and water, without eggs, and is extruded and dried. In Italian usage, the term *maccheroni* can be broader, covering several tubular pasta shapes.

Why it matters

Macaroni is a staple in Canadian households, especially as elbow macaroni in macaroni and cheese and other pasta dishes. Its versatility and quick cooking time make it a convenient base for soups, sauces, and casseroles.

Key details

In North American English, “macaroni” almost always means elbow macaroni. It is boiled in salted water until al dente, then drained. The exact cooking time varies by shape and brand. Macaroni is not the same as all pasta—it is a specific category of tubular pasta.

In short

  • Macaroni is a short, hollow tube pasta, often elbow-shaped.
  • It is made from semolina or durum wheat flour and water, no eggs.
  • In Canada, it's most familiar as elbow macaroni in mac and cheese.
  • Italian *maccheroni* is a broader term for tubular pasta.
Canadian angle

Macaroni is a familiar staple in Canadian households, especially in macaroni and cheese and other pasta dishes. In Canadian English, the term commonly refers to elbow macaroni.

Quick questions

What is macaroni made of?
It is usually made from semolina or durum wheat flour and water, and typically does not contain eggs.
Is macaroni the same as pasta?
No. Macaroni is a type of pasta, but not all pasta is macaroni.
What is the difference between macaroni and elbow macaroni?
Macaroni is the broader term for tubular pasta, while elbow macaroni is the curved, elbow-shaped form commonly meant by “macaroni” in North America.

Sources

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macaroni
    Supports: Definition of macaroni as pasta made from semolina shaped in slender tubes; also notes other historical meanings.
  2. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/macaroni
    Supports: Defines macaroni as a type of pasta in the shape of small tubes.
  3. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/macaroni
    Supports: Defines macaroni as small tubular pasta made from wheat flour.
  4. Bon Appétit — https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/macaroni
    Supports: Explains common North American usage, ingredients, lack of eggs, and the broader tubular-pasta usage.
  5. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/macaroni-pasta
    Supports: Describes macaroni as a small tubular form of pasta and notes variations including elbow-shaped forms.
  6. La Cucina Italiana — https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/glossary/maccheroni-pasta
    Supports: Explains Italian usage of maccheroni, ingredients, and cooking to al dente.
  7. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaroni
    Supports: Provides commonly cited overview of shape, ingredients, elbow macaroni usage, and Italian terminology.