1. Maccheroni (singular): This refers to a type of pasta, typically long, tubular pasta, similar to penne, but with a larger diameter and a smoother surface.
2. Maccherone (plural): This is a slang term, meaning "fool" or "idiot".
It's important to consider the context in which you encounter the word to understand its meaning.
If you see it on a menu or in a recipe, it likely refers to the pasta. If you hear it used in a conversation, it could be a derogatory term.