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11 Best Pasta Recipes

11 Best Pasta Recipes

Pasta just might be its own love language. Whether it’s Sunday pasta with family, a holiday lasagna or a quick and easy pasta dinner for you and the kids, pasta is treasured comfort food that has become a staple in most of our lives. Plus, there isn’t much that pasta can’t do. From cheesy baked recipes to cold picnic pasta featuring fresh summer veggies, this iconic pantry superstar has transcended the ordinary plate of spaghetti to become a versatile food with countless preparations, sauces and presentations.

To honor this great love of pasta, we’ve rounded up 11 of our best pasta dishes for you.

Recipe: Cheesy Baked Ziti

We can’t think of a more deserving tribute to the classic comfort food than this cheesy baked pasta dish. Think lasagna, but skip the layering. This baked dish keeps it simple: ziti pasta, three glorious cheeses and a tangy-tomato marinara. If you’re looking for super easy pasta recipes, this should be at the top of your list.


Recipe: Orecchiette with Peas, Pancetta and Cream

It’s no surprise that our list of best pasta dishes includes a recipe starring the lovable “little ears” pasta. Orecchiette with their round, concave bodies are the perfect scoops for creamy sauces and small bite-sized ingredients like sweet peas and diced pancetta. With this delicious pasta recipe, every bite is the best bite.


Recipe: Linguine with White Clam Sauce

Classic recipes like these teach us that it only takes a few simple (but quality) ingredients to make a great Italian pasta dish. This impressive garlicky white wine sauce is an incredible complement to the mildly sweet, mildly salty clams. Linguine is the perfect pasta shape for this thin, slightly creamy seafood sauce.


Recipe: Bucatini alla Carbonara

Carbonara is a simple Italian pasta recipe with a flavor that is nothing but simple. Made with only a few humble ingredients, this pasta features bucatini noodles, salty pork, cheese and eggs for a glossy, creamy sauce that you have to try to believe.


Recipe: Pasta Frittata (Spaghetti Pie)

Shake up pasta night with this pasta frittata. This pasta recipe features spicy Italian sausage, garlic, Italian herbs, roasted red peppers, melty cheeses and spaghetti, of course. We love this recipe for transforming pasta leftovers into something uniquely delicious.


Recipe: Creamy Garlic Pasta with Mascarpone Cheese

Sweet and creamy mascarpone cheese is the MVP (most valuable player) in this pasta sauce recipe. You’re sure to fall in love with this one: the flavor is garlicky, rich and cheesy with a smooth, velvety texture. It’s the perfect way to dress a delicious tangle of our Tagliatelle Pasta.


Recipe: Chicken Florentine Pasta Recipe

This list of most delicious pasta recipes wouldn’t be complete without a powerhouse of a weeknight pasta dish. This well-rounded meal features tender chicken breast in a light cream sauce with spinach and our Penne Ziti pasta... oh and it’s ready in 30 minutes. What’s not to love?

For more weeknight meals like this one, check out Easy Pasta Dinners & Weeknight Meals.


Recipe: Spicy Vodka Sauce

This easy vodka sauce recipe is the best of both worlds: the tangy and fiery flavors of our spicy Arrabbiata Sauce combined with the creamy, cool sweetness of mascarpone cheese. It’s a marriage you won’t soon forget. We love it with gnocchi or any short cut of pasta.

If you want some advice on pairing pasta with sauces, check out our article: How to Choose the Right Pasta Cut.


Recipe: Pasta Puttanesca

If you love olives, you’re going to love this olive-lovin’ pasta sauce. A classic and a keeper, this timeless pasta recipe features bold Calamata olives, briny capers and our San Marzano Style Tomatoes. We love it with spaghetti noodles and fresh torn basil.


Recipe: Creamy Lemon Pappardelle Pasta

What’s creamy, citrusy and ready to rock your weeknight menu? This pasta recipe! The sweet, sweet harmony of citrus and creamy mascarpone brings these gloriously golden egg noodles to life. Who knew from-scratch pasta recipes could be a weeknight thing?


Recipe: Homemade Ricotta & Spinach Filled Ravioli

At the end of the day (or week), there’s nothing like fresh filled pasta. Whether the occasion is a holiday or just a fun weekend activity, creating homemade ravioli is a rewarding experience. These tender, ricotta-filled pasta pillows are going to have everyone running to the table. The time in the kitchen is so worth it.

If you like to create from-scratch Italian cuisine, browse our Authentic Italian Recipes page.