Depending on the shape of the pasta, 1 pound of pasta is usually equal to 4 cups of dry pasta. Since one cup of dry pasta makes about two cups of cooked noodles, one pound of dry pasta makes about eight cups of cooked noodles.
When you convert cups to pounds, you don’t always get an exact answer because you’re measuring two different things. Pounds measure weight, while cups measure volume. Pasta comes in many different shapes and sizes, so the conversion is different for each type.
For every 8 ounces of dry pasta, small and medium-sized shapes like macaroni, penne, rigatoni, and bow ties, and long shapes like spaghetti or fettuccine, usually make about 4 cups of cooked pasta.
