What Is Linguine and How Can I Use It?

Linguine is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 144 recipes to get you started.

What is linguine?

Linguine is a long, flat strand of pasta, narrower and flatter than spaghetti but not as wide as fettuccine. The name means "little tongues" in Italian, a nod to its slightly oval cross section.

That flattened shape is the whole point. It gives a sauce more surface to cling to than a round strand, while staying light enough for the seafood and oil sauces it is famous for.

Linguine is believed to have come from the Campania and Liguria coast, which is why it pairs so naturally with clams, shrimp, and pesto.

Sauces That Suit It

Linguine wants a sauce that coats without weighing it down. Olive oil, garlic, white wine, and seafood are its classic partners, and the strand carries them beautifully without going gluey.

The signature dish is linguine with clams, like this linguini with white clam sauce where the briny broth slicks every strand. Shrimp scampi works on the same logic, as in linguine with herbed shrimp.

It also takes a light cream or a chunkier vegetable sauce well, as in linguine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, where the flat strand grabs the oil-packed tomato.

Where linguine struggles is under a heavy meat ragu. A thick, chunky sauce overwhelms the delicate strand and slides off; save those for a sturdier shape like rigatoni.

Cooking and Substitutes

Dried linguine cooks in about 9 to 11 minutes, a touch longer than spaghetti because of the extra width. Fresh linguine needs only 2 to 3 minutes. Finish it in the pan with the sauce for the last minute and reserve a little starchy pasta water to bring everything together.

For general cooking timing and salting, see the pasta guide.

The easiest swaps are spaghetti or thin fettuccine, both close in body. Spaghetti runs a little lighter on coating since it is round; fettuccine is wider and flatter, so it leans toward cream sauces. Bavette, a narrow companion called linguine fine, is nearly identical.

Buying and Storing

Dried linguine, sold in long straight strands, keeps a year or two in a sealed container in a cool, dry cupboard. Bronze-die linguine has a rougher, paler surface that grips oil and seafood sauces noticeably better than slick supermarket strands.

Fresh linguine is sold refrigerated and lasts only a few days. Freeze it if you will not use it soon and cook it straight from frozen, adding a minute to the time.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find linguine: Linguine is usually found in the pasta section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Pasta, linguine is a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

意大利面，扁

British (UK) term

Pasta, linguine

en français

pâtes linguine

en español

la pasta linguini

How much does linguine weigh?

Related

Cereal Grains and Pasta

Recipes using linguine

There are 144 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Pasta with Creamy Avocado Pesto

This avocado pesto is so creamy, tasty and refreshing. Toss the pasta with it to make a quick, wholesome and delicious week-day meal.

Artichokes, Roasted Pepper, Sun-dried Tomato & Feta Pasta Salad

This quick and easy pasta salad is succulent and tasty, and it only needs you to boil some pasta, toss everything all together. Here it s.

Italian Pasta Stir-Fry

I squeezed a bit lemon juice and grated some fresh lemon zest to give it a zing, which actually worked beautifully. Certainly well satisfied our palate and tummy at the same time. A yummy and healthy way to enjoy a stir-fry pasta.

Linguine & Asparagus with Creamy Sauce

Creamy sauce is made with both cream cheese and goat cheese, which makes the dish creamy and tasty. Sauteed mushrooms and asparagus are simmered in chicken broth and white wine to enhance the flavor. Toss them all together and serve it as a delicious main dish.

Artichokes, Cherry Tomato & Feta Cheese Pasta Salad

Quick and easy to make, and the salad tastes refreshing and delicious.

Shrimp Sauce with Linguine

Try this tantalizing seafood pasta dish that will add a new flavor to your cooking style and feed your hunger.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

A tantalizing and delicious pasta dish made with succulent chicken breasts, bell peppers and fresh mushrooms.

Pasta with Asparagus Salad

Cold pasta salad with blanched asparagus, tuna chunks, ham strips, black olives, and linguine tossed in garlic olive oil and lemon juice. Great at room temperature or chilled.

Linguine with Herbed Shrimp

Linguine with herbed shrimp in a garlic butter and olive oil sauce, finished with Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh herbs. An easy 35-minute pasta dinner with bold flavor and almost no cleanup.

Linguine Al la Carbonara

Linguine carbonara with crispy bacon, Parmesan, and a silky egg and cream sauce tossed hot so every strand is coated. A rich, comforting Italian pasta classic.

Classic Pasta Carbonara

Classic pasta carbonara: linguine tossed with crisp bacon, raw egg, parsley, and Parmesan. The Roman classic that turns five ingredients into a silky, peppery dinner in 30 minutes.

Pasta with Red Clam Sauce

Pasta with red clam sauce made from fresh littleneck clams steamed in white wine and fish stock, then tossed with tomato, basil, and oregano. Light, briny, and ready in 30 minutes.

Linguine & Turkey Saute

Leftover turkey and broccoli linguine in a sage-scented pan gravy, topped with crunchy herb stuffing crumbs. The post-Thanksgiving pasta that rescues the fridge.

Scallops Spa Pasta

Light linguine tossed in a tarragon-shallot sauce with thinly sliced sea scallops and tender asparagus. A spa-cuisine pasta that delivers restaurant flavor without the heavy cream.

Mike's Linguini with Clams

Linguine with canned clams, a fast pantry pasta tossed with garlic sizzled in good olive oil, dried parsley, and black pepper. Ready in about 15 minutes from ingredients you keep on the shelf.

Chicken Linguine

Golden chicken, broccoli, and red bell pepper tossed with linguine in a garlic-butter sauce finished with fresh lemon juice and Parmesan. Quick, colorful, and on the table in under 45 minutes.

Linguine Primaver Della Santa Maria

Linguine primavera with zucchini, yellow squash, and red bell pepper in a chunky tomato-wine sauce topped with fresh basil and sliced olives.

Amazing Linguine Deliziose

Linguine deliziose tosses lightly floured shrimp and salmon with sauteed leeks, mushrooms, garlic, and white wine, then finishes with linguine in a buttery marjoram-parsley sauce. San Francisco surf-and-pasta feast.

Alpine Peppered Venison on Rainforest Herb Linguini

This is an easy dish with very complex flavour from the herb pasta, the seasoned meat, the wild earthy mushrooms and the aromatic scented jus which you really only taste half way through the dish if it’s done right.

Linguine with Brussel Sprouts Barigoule

Linguine with Brussels sprouts barigoule braises savoy cabbage, leeks, and sprouts in wine, lemon, and thyme, then tosses the whole thing with linguine. A Provencal vegetarian pasta.

Tony's Summer Pasta

Fresh Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic tossed with hot linguine in a no-cook caprese-style sauce. The easiest summer pasta you'll make all season, ready in 30 minutes.

Guinness Cheesecake

Guinness stout cheesecake with cream cheese, cinnamon, and vanilla baked in a springform pan. A boozy, malty twist on classic cheesecake for stout lovers.

Linguine with Crab & Mushrooms

Linguine with crab and mushrooms in a light white wine sauce with chicken broth, turmeric, tomato paste, and fresh tarragon. A quick seafood pasta for two that's ready in 40 minutes.

Shrimp & Vegetable Pasta

Shrimp and vegetable linguine tossed in a no-cook sauce of olive oil, lemon juice, fresh dill, Roma tomatoes, and chili oil. Loaded with broccoli, peas, and peppers.

Linguini

Creamy linguini with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan, served with microwave-steamed zucchini and cauliflower. A simple cream pasta with an easy vegetable side built in.

Singapore Spicy Noodes

Singapore-style spicy peanut noodles toss linguine and shredded red cabbage in a chunky peanut butter sauce with ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Pantry-friendly weeknight noodle dish.

Pasta with Szechwan Peanut Dressing

Pasta with Szechwan peanut dressing tosses linguine in a creamy, spicy peanut butter sauce sharpened with rice vinegar, garlic, and chili, plus broccoli and cherry tomatoes. A vegan peanut-noodle bowl, warm or chilled.

Pasta & Smoked Salmon Salad

Linguine with smoked salmon in a creamy white wine and Dijon mustard sauce topped with Parmesan. An elegant pasta dish that comes together in under 40 minutes.

Lynn's Vegetable Pasta

Lynn's vegetable pasta with broccoli, cauliflower, and mushrooms sauteed in garlic olive oil with red pepper, tossed with linguine and topped with ricotta and Romano cheese.

Halloween Black Spiders' Leg Noodles

Halloween black spiders' leg noodles toss inky squid ink linguine with roasted butternut squash, orange bell peppers, garlic, and Kalamata olives. A vegetarian Halloween pasta with bold spooky color contrast.

Ham-Linguine Florentine

Ham linguine Florentine with wilted spinach, mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-marjoram sauce made lighter with evaporated skim milk. Topped with toasted almonds.

Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto & Feta Cheese

Very nice flavor to this dish. Simple to make and satisfying.

Linguini with Greens & Potatoes

Vegan linguine with new potatoes, wilted greens, green beans, and roma tomatoes in a garlicky vegetable stock sauce with red pepper flakes. Light, hearty, no oil needed.

Linguine with Tomatoes & Jalapeno

Linguine with roasted garlic, fresh tomatoes, jalapeno, and anchovy paste tossed with Parmesan, oregano, and lemon juice. Bold, punchy, and not shy about flavor.

Sicilian Tomato Pesto with Linguine

Sicilian tomato pesto with toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes folded with chopped tomatoes and tossed through linguine. Bright, rustic, and ready in 30 minutes.

Linguine with Spinach Sauce

Linguine tossed with a buttery spinach sauce simmered in white wine with onions, garlic, mushrooms, and basil, then finished with Parmigiano-Reggiano. A pantry-friendly weeknight pasta.

Spaghetti with Lots of Garlic & Olive Oil

Spaghetti with lots of garlic and olive oil is the Italian aglio e olio classic: linguine cooked in garlic-steeped water, then finished with parsley and grated Parmesan. Pantry pasta perfection.

Linguine with Tuna

Linguine with grilled tuna, sauteed bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, capers, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. A bright, Mediterranean-style pasta ready in under 30 minutes.

Linguine a la Greque

Linguine a la Greque with spinach, chickpeas, golden raisins, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. A quick vegan Greek-style pasta tossed together in 35 minutes from pantry staples.

Linquine with Clam Sauce

Linguine with white clam sauce made from canned clams, garlic, olive oil, and fresh parsley. A classic Italian-American pasta dish with a lightly thickened briny sauce.

Linguini with Limas & Mustard

Linguine tossed with baby lima beans, grainy mustard, scallions, and fresh plum tomatoes in a light vegetable broth sauce. Ready in 15 minutes.

Linguine Alle Vongole

Classic Italian linguine with fresh clams in white wine garlic sauce. Briny clam broth, butter, and parsley create an elegant seafood pasta ready in 45 minutes.

Linguine with Mushrooms & Garlic

Linguine with mushrooms and garlic in butter and olive oil is a stripped-down Italian pasta with just six ingredients. A pound of sliced mushrooms sauteed until concentrated and golden, tossed with linguine in garlic butter.

Pasta Arrabbiata From Lhj Online

Pasta arrabbiata with linguine tossed in a spicy tomato sauce made from canned tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. A fiery Italian classic ready in 30 minutes.

Shrimp& Vegetable Pasta (Gtkg62A)

A vibrant marinated shrimp and vegetable linguine with bell peppers, Roma tomatoes, broccoli, peas, fresh dill, and a lemon-herb olive oil dressing. Marinate ahead, toss with hot pasta, and serve.

Pasta Primavera Verde

Pasta primavera verde with steamed broccoli, asparagus, green beans, and sugar snap peas tossed with linguine, fresh dill, and garlic. A light, veggie-packed spring pasta.

Linguine with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Spinach

Linguine with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach recipe

Springtime Pasta

Linguine tossed with fresh spring vegetables including asparagus, broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, and leeks. A light, veggie-packed pasta dish that puts the season's best produce front and center.

Spring Linguine

Quick linguine with crisp asparagus, bacon, scallions, and a lemony butter pan sauce topped with crumbled goat cheese and black olives. A bright, seasonal pasta dinner on the table in 30 minutes.

Mediterranean Stir-Fried Beef

Stir-fried beef strips marinated in red wine vinegar with broccoli, mushrooms, and linguine, finished with Parmesan. A fast Mediterranean-style weeknight dinner.

All 144 linguine recipes