Rigatoni are characterized by ridges along their length, sometimes spiraling around the tube; unlike penne, the ends of rigatoni are cut perpendicular to the tube walls instead of diagonally.

The word rigatoni comes from the Italian word rigato (that stands for 'lined', 'striped', 'ruled', rigatone being the augmentative, and rigatoni the plural form), which means 'ridged' or 'lined', and is associated with the cuisine of southern and central Italy.

Their name takes on the diminutive suffix -ino (pluralized -ini), denoting their relative size.

Rigatoni is a particular favourite pasta shape in the south of Italy, especially in Sicily.

Its eponymous ridges make better adhesive surfaces for sauces and grated cheese than smooth-sided pasta like ziti.