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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Pasta

    45+ Best Pasta Recipes

    Published: Aug 6, 2021 · Modified: May 25, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 6 Comments

    a grid of images of 9 of the best pasta recipes

    Pasta is a staple food in our homes as the main entree, base, or side dish. It's beloved, and the possibilities are endless, so endless that settling on a recipe can be overwhelming. 

    grid of 6 pasta dish images

    That's why I've put together this collection of 45+ of the best pasta recipes. They’re so good you’ll want to try them all! Italian, classic, quick and easy, to even making your own pasta dough from scratch in 5 minutes flat, this list has all the pasta recipes you'll ever need. 

    Jump to:
    • Classic Pasta
    • Quick & Easy
    • Seafood Pasta
    • Pasta Sauce
    • Homemade Pasta
    • Baked Pasta
    • Pasta Salad
    • Vegetarian Pasta
    • Ravioli
    • Soup
    • Noodle Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    Classic Pasta

    These pasta recipes have stood the test of time. All of the crave-worthy traditional flavors and textures that we’ve all come to love. 

    Easy Bucatini all'Amatriciana
    Bucatini all Amatriciana in a deep stainless skillet

    A traditional pasta dish from the town of Amatrice, Italy. This recipe is ready in just 30 minutes, using Bucatini pasta (a hollow cousin to the spaghetti noodle). It has a rich tomato sauce spiced up with red chili flakes. A simple and delicious recipe that works for a busy schedule. 


    Bolognese Sauce
    Bolognese Sauce with pappardelle served in a shallow white bowl

    A dish that’s recipe is well known but varies across different regions of Italy. Traditionally made with flat, broad pasta like pappardelle, it’s a tomato based sauce with pancetta, wine, and various vegetables, that’s finished with a dash of cream. This luscious sauce takes about 90 minutes to cook, perfect for a quiet weekend or special occasion. 


    Ragu Sauce
    ragu sauce with pasta served in a white bowl


    Another classic, this simple and authentic pasta sauce is mostly hands-off and cooks low and slow for about an hour. One of those recipes that you’ll want to learn by heart. 


    Checca Sauce with Spaghetti

    The perfect quick and easy summer dish. Checca is a raw pasta sauce made of diced tomatoes, raw garlic, and fresh mozzarella tossed with hot spaghetti noodles. With a fresh, bright flavor blast it’s an ideal way to enjoy summer’s peak tomatoes!


    Classic Basil Pesto Recipe

    A timeless flavor combining the freshness of basil, garlic’s spicy kick, and buttery pine nuts. This recipe takes just ten minutes to whirl up and there are endless ways to enjoy it. 


    Pasta Aglio e Olio {Pasta with Garlic and Oil}
    Pasta Aglio e Olio served on white plates with linen napkins

    A rich decadent pasta of olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, and garlic with a kick of crushed red pepper. Made start to finish in under 20 minutes, you’ll have a quick and easy, restaurant-worthy meal.


    Shrimp Fra Diavolo
    Shrimp Fra Diavolo served on a white plate

    Brother Devil, that's the translation of this dish in Italian. Tossed with tender pasta and juicy shrimp, the red pepper tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil, and white wine packs a spicy punch. Made in just 30 minutes, this one is worthy of a dinner party and weeknight easy.


    Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
    Bucatini Cacio e Pepe served in an ivory ceramic bowl.

    Have you ever tried and failed to make the Italian classic Cacio e Pepe? It's a dish with a reputation for being dead simple (just 3 ingredients), but also fussy (easy to end up with clumpy sauce) But no more! This is a truly no fail recipe. It's made in minutes with a method that might surprise you.


    Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Pasta
    Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Pasta served in a white bowl

    The key to this recipe is fresh broccoli rabe (rapini) and quality Italian sausage. You can choose between sweet or spicy, or use a combination to adjust the spiciness. Another delicious Italian classic with a bright pop of green from the broccoli rabe.


    Pasta alla Norma
    Pasta alla Norma served in a white bowl

    This vegetarian pasta meal is made in a smooth, spicy sauce loaded with creamy roasted eggplant. Rigatoni pasta is ideal. Red pepper flakes, tomato base, garlic, and olive oil to create the signature flavor of the sauce. 


    Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
    spaghetti alla puttanesca served in a white bowl with a black napkin underneath

    A tomato-based dish using a long, thin pasta. Capers, black olives, and anchovies give this dish a blast of umami. If anchovies and black olives aren't your jam, it’s simple to adjust to your tastes. 


    Pasta e Fagioli Soup
    Pasta_e_Fagioli being served from a ladle

    A hearty stew that is based on old Italian peasant dishes. The meat, veggies, rich broth, and pasta blend together for a satisfying and delicious meal that only takes half an hour start to finish. 

    Quick & Easy

    In a rush but don't want to sacrifice the taste and feel of a home-cooked meal? These quick pasta recipes are the solution. Many of these recipes are vegetarian and can be easily made vegan.

    Lemon Garlic Pasta
    lemon garlic pasta served in a white bowl

    This zesty recipe has a simple combo of ingredients that deliver a delightful, straightforward flavor. Creamy butter and olive oil mellow the lemon’s acidity and pungency of ample garlic. Chili flakes and pepper add a gentle kick.

    Broccoli Pasta
    Broccoli Pasta served in a white bowl photographed from above.

    A quick and easy, crowd pleasing pasta made with fresh broccoli and a handful of pantry staples that you probably have on hand!

    Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta
    Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta served in a white bowl.

    A crowd pleasing pasta that's weeknight easy and dinner party elegant!


    Zesty Spaghetti with Olives and Pine Nut Gremolata

    This vegan pasta dish has the classic flavors of olive oil and garlic with dashes of lemon, fresh herbs, and capers. With tender pasta, buttery olives and pine nuts, it’s a hearty dish that even the most devout carnivore will love.


    Brie Pasta with Broccoli and Walnuts
    Broccoli-Pasta with Brie and Walnuts in white bowls featured

    With only five ingredients, this meal is made in 15 minutes flat. It’s a hearty blend of tender rotini, creamy brie cheese, earthy broccoli, and buttery toasted walnuts rounded out simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper. 


    Roasted Tomato Pasta with Kale and Mozzarella
    Penne-with-Slow-Roasted-Tomatoes-Kale-and-Mozzarella in a white bowl

    You’d never know how simple this pasta dish is by its robust flavor. You’d think it took all day to prepare instead of just minutes! Penne pasta, jammy roasted tomatoes and tender kale are topped with olive oil and mozzarella that melts into creamy perfection.


    Bucatini with Black Truffle Sauce (Bucatini Al Tartufo)

    Truffles are readily available in Italy and can be a challenge to find in the United States. But that doesn’t change how delicious they are. They’re worth seeking out for this 20 minute bucatini pasta dish with shaved truffles and anchovies that’s absolutely bursting with flavor.


    Torchiette Pasta with Eggs and Capers

    This is a unique recipe combining grated hard-boiled eggs, anchovy fillets, and capers. A splash of lemon juice and fresh Italian parsley gives it a fresh, bright flavor that’s perfect for tossing with torchiette or other short pasta. Made in just 30 minutes. 


    Bucatini and Zucchini Noodle Cacio e Pepe

    Zucchini pasta is a great way to turn a pasta dish into a lighter meal for the summertime. This recipe combines zucchini noodles with bucatini pasta for a light texture and satisfying flavor. The classic cacio e pepe flavors of butter, black pepper, and pecorino cheese shine in this lovely dish that’s on your table in about 25 minutes.


    Fusilli with Deconstructed Pesto

    Have you ever made pesto and wondered how it would be as a coarse sauce where you stop short of blending it smooth? It’s divine! If you love the flavors of classic pesto, then you must try this recipe.


    Bucatini with Charred Cauliflower and Hazelnut Pesto

    This riff on classic pesto is made with smoky, charred cauliflower, buttery hazelnuts and briny capers blended then tossed with tender bucatini pasta for a dish full of savory and delectable flavors. 

    Seafood Pasta

    Seafood and pasta are a timeless combination. The options are endless! Here are some of my favorite options for beautiful and delicious pescatarian dishes to add to your weekly lunch and dinner plans. 

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
    Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta served in a white bowl

    This succulent pasta dish blends lemon, garlic, and juicy shrimp in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce for a delectably satisfying meal. It takes just 20 minutes to prepare this restaurant-worthy dish. 


    Seared Scallops with Pasta

    Scallops seem fancy don’t they? But the truth is they’re dead simple to prepare and easy to keep on hand in your freezer. Before tender pasta gets topped with perfectly seared scallops, it’s tossed with fresh garlic sautéed in butter and fresh lemon juice and zest, with a bit of arugula for a fresh peppery bite. 


    Tuna Pasta
    tuna pasta served in an off-white ceramic bowl..

    Sometimes a few humble ingredients add up to something spectacular. This Tuna Pasta is a great example. With good quality canned tuna and just a few pantry and staple ingredients you can make delectable dish (with a no cook sauce!) in minutes.


    Linguine with Cauliflower Anchovies and Raisins

    Though this ingredient combination might sound pretty adventurous, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Bursting with sweet, buttery, umami flavors, this is a pasta dish you will crave.


    Clam Linguine with Herbs and Bacon

    This is an elegant, delicious dish with fresh herbs, butter, and whole clams. It is surprisingly quick to make and can be scaled to serve as many as you like.


    Shrimp Salad

    The options for this shrimp salad are endless. Tender flavorful shrimp and crunchy celery are tossed in a delectably creamy dressing. Serve it as is or stir it into pasta, heap onto a salad, or layer into sandwiches.

    Pasta Sauce

    Yes, these sauces are delicious on pasta, but don’t stop there. You’ll find that they’re entirely versatile and amenable to endless variations. 

    Lamb Ragù
    Lamb-Ragu-with-Pappardelle served on a white plate with fork

    A classic Italian-style sauce that simmers low and slow for an incredible depth of flavor. Ground lamb is simmered in an aromatic blend of tomatoes, garlic, red wine, and vegetables for a delicious sauce that’s as delicious over rice as it is with pasta. 


    Almond Pesto
    Almond Pesto on a spoon

    A mouthwatering spin on classic pesto! Switching it up with almonds, and pecorino cheese while keeping basil as the bright base. You’ll find so many ways to enjoy this nutty, vibrant sauce. 


    Roasted Vegetable Puttanesca Sauce with Pasta

    This hearty textured sauce tastes meaty, but is actually vegan. A delicious blend of eggplant, mushrooms, and tomatoes are flavored with garlic and sweet onion. The roasted vegetables are blended together for a rich and wonderful sauce that’s delicious tossed with your favorite pasta.

    Homemade Pasta

    Have you always wanted to try making your own pasta or noodles? Look no further. You can count on these tried and true recipes for homemade pasta and noodles that are excellent every time.

    Food Processor Pasta Dough
    fresh pasta dough ball held above the food processor bowl

    Make delicious homemade pasta in just 5 minutes in a food processor with just 4 simple ingredients.


    Homemade Lasagna Noodles
    Final Pass of pasta dough through machine rollers

    Using the recipe above, this is a simple and easy-to-follow guide to making your own lasagna noodles.


    Homemade Ramen Noodles

    Knowing how to make your own ramen noodles at home can be a delicious and fun skill to have. This recipe will teach you how to mix and roll your ramen noodles to perfection.

    Baked Pasta

    Baked pasta is a wonderful thing and lasagna may be the best baked pasta there is. 

    Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
    Lasagna with Cottage Cheese served on a white plate

    This is truly the ultimate lasagna. A rich, decadent, super meaty lasagna made with oven ready / no boil noodles that's a simplified version of the NY Times recipe with more than 5,000 5-star reviews! 


    Creamy Mushroom Lasagna

    Most of us think of lasagna and think of meaty red sauce layered with noodles and cheese. This is a fresh take on the baked favorite, no tomatoes or meat in sight. The star of this cheesy lasagna is loads of tender mushrooms. 

    Pasta Salad

    The options for salads are endless! Here are a couple that everyone loves. 

    Seafood Pasta Salad
    seafood pasta salad served in a yellow ceramic bowl

    A rich, creamy pasta salad with real lump crab and tender shrimp with a fresh crunch of celery and dill. It tastes like summer and is just right for almost any occasion.


    Italian Pasta Salad

    A bright and delicious pasta salad with sliced cherry tomatoes, olives, salami, and diced cheese that make it ideal for picnics and backyard BBQs.

    Vegetarian Pasta

    With so many flavors and textures you’ll never miss the meat in these vegetarian pastas. 

    Summer Vegetable Linguine
    Summer Vegetable Linguine

    A mixture of sautéed fresh summer vegetables tossed with tender pasta. This is a simple, feel-good dish that tastes amazing. 


    Creamy Pappardelle with Radicchio and Walnuts

    A delicate pasta dish with butter, garlic and heavy cream and topped with buttery walnuts and pleasantly bitter radicchio. 


    Zucchini Spaghetti with Olives Pecorino and Pine Nuts

    Blending zucchini noodles with traditional spaghetti lightens up this simple pasta dish while lemon zest and green olives give it pop, and pecorino and pine nuts add richness and make it irresistible. 


    Fregola Sarda with Radicchio and Hazelnuts
    Fregola Sarda Salad served on an oval platter

    If you haven’t tried the toasty little round pasta called Fregola Sarda from Sardinia, you’ve been missing out. With a blend of flavors that are unique and unforgettable, this salad is the perfect place to start.


    Rustic Linguine with Summer Herbs and Olives
    Rustic Linguine with Summer Herbs and Olives

    Loaded with summer herbs and briny olives this rustic pasta dish is one you’ll crave often. 

    Ravioli

    We all love the stuffed and delightful pasta that is ravioli. It's like a little present of flavor wrapped in tender pasta that we get to experience with each bite. 

    Beet Ravioli with Butter and Poppy Seeds

    A unique and vibrant take on traditional ravioli. Delicate egg roll wrappers are filled with a silky puree of red beets and potatoes then finished with a savory poppy seed butter sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. 


    Giant Delicata Ravioli with Sage and Brown Butter

    These extra large ravioli are all about the sweet and wildly flavorful filling. 

    Soup

    There’s nothing like the soothing warmth of good soup on a cold day. Here are two of my favorites. 

    Chicken Soup with Pasta, Poached Eggs and Arugula
    Egg-Farfalle-Bowtie-Pasta-Arugula-Soup served in a white bowl featured

    This savory rich soup has tangy notes of lemon and peppery brightness from arugula. Farfalle pasta and eggs poached right in the broth make it a meal.


    Chicken Noodle Soup
    Chicken Noodle Soup in white bowls

    Is there a more comforting soup? And this is the best version of Chicken Noodle Soup I know. It's like a warm hug, loved by children and adults alike. 

    Noodle Recipes

    A few of my noodle dish favorites from Japan and China. 

    Soba Noodle Bowl
    Soba Noodle Bowl served with wooden chopsticks photographed from above

    A hearty and delicious bowl with earthy, nutty soba noodles tangled with tender bok choy and crunchy almonds with a rich, spicy sauce all topped with a softly boiled egg. Ready in about 30 minutes. 


    Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
    Ramen Noodle Stir Fry served on gray platter featured

    Ramen noodles aren’t just for soup! With bacon, shrimp, snap peas, a trifecta of fresh herbs (Thai basil, mint and cilantro), and an umami rich sauce, this stir fry is spectacular!


    Pork Belly Ramen

    A dish with deeply complex flavors with a simple list of ingredients. Savory broth, tender ramen noodles, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, soft-cooked egg, and green onions make this a ramen house classic that you will love to make at home.

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    1. David @ Spiced says

      August 09, 2021 at 5:43 am

      Oh what a great collection! Pasta is one of our favorite go-to meals, and this list has SO much inspiration. Come to think of it, we don't have anything planned for dinner yet tonight...I think pasta might need to happen!

      Reply
    2. Karen H says

      August 09, 2021 at 5:07 am

      These look amazing! Thank you for the compilation. Is there a simple way to print this collection?

      Reply
    3. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      August 08, 2021 at 10:47 am

      Gimme all the pasta PLEASE! So many great recipes Marissa!

      Reply
    4. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      August 06, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      Oooo so many fabulous pasta ideas - hard to pick one! I definitely love all baked pasta variations, and I am also intrigued with that hazelnut pesto (Must be scrumptious!) And Daisy, of course, is voting for pasta with seared scallops 🙂

      Reply
    5. angiesrecipes says

      August 06, 2021 at 11:35 am

      What a great collection of delicious pasta recipes!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        August 06, 2021 at 3:28 pm

        Thanks so much, Angie!

        Reply

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