Penne is a short, diagonally cut tube pasta whose name comes from the Italian penna, meaning "quill" or "pen," a reference to its angled ends. The shape dates to 1865, when Genoese pasta maker Giovanni Battista Capurro patented a machine that cut fresh pasta tubes on the diagonal instead of by hand. Penne comes in two finishes: penne lisce has a smooth surface, while penne rigate is ridged to grip sauce better; in the US, unqualified "penne" usually means the ridged version. Its hollow shape and neutral flavor make it a versatile match for chunky tomato sauces, creamy sauces like vodka sauce, and baked pasta dishes.