Their history can be traced back to Arab rule in Sicily. At the time, pasta was hollow in the middle, making them dry faster, while maccheroni has a smooth surface. Although there is a tendency to compare the Maccheroni with Penne and use them for simpler dishes, they are particularly suitable for more complex preparations. With Barilla twisted Cut Macaroni, you can take this fun shape beyond the expected in any number of traditional Italian meals, in soups, baked pasta dishes, or tossed with vegetable or cheese sauces. Barilla Maccheroni cooks in just 7 minutes. Simply bring water to a boil in a large pot then add the Trofie along with a generous pinch of sea salt to enhance the pasta's flavour. For authentic ""al dente"" pasta, boil uncovered, stirring occasionally for 7 minutes. For pasta that's more tender, boil for an additional minute.