Quick Answer: Linguine, sometimes anglicized as linguini, is a type of pasta similar to fettuccine and trenette, distinguished by its elliptical rather than flat section. Around about 4 millimetres in width, it is wider than spaghetti, but less wide than fettuccine. Linguine was traditionally served with sauces such as pesto, but others such as tomato or fish based sauces are popular as well. Linguine originated in the city of Genoa and is based on more traditional pastas.