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Pasta Recipes

Pasta is pure love in a bowl. Many of the dishes you’ll find here are inspired by my time working in an upscale Italian restaurant, where I learned that the best pasta recipes come down to simple ingredients, good technique, and building big flavor.

From slowly simmered ragus to quick and easy pasta recipes for busy weeknights, these are the pasta dishes I return to again and again. Grab your favorite store-bought noodles or try your hand at homemade pasta, and dive in!

our best pasta recipes

These reader-favorite pasta recipes are beloved for a reason. Rich, deeply flavorful, and slowly simmered, they’re inspired by classic Italian techniques and perfect for when you want restaurant-quality pasta at home.

An overhead shot of pasta bolognese in a large white bowl atop a white surface. The bowl sits alongside a second bowl of pasta and dishes of salt and red pepper flakes.

Truly, The Best-Ever Bolognese Sauce (Slowly Simmered Perfection)
Braised Short Rib Ragu Pappardelle shown in a pasta bowl, topped with grated parmesan & fresh parsley. The bowl sits atop a black surface surrounded by a small wooden pinch bowl filled with grated parmesan, a gray linen napkin, & a set of silver silverware.

Slowly Braised Short Rib Ragu
Braised Lamb Ragu Pappardelle shown in pasta bowls, topped with grated parmesan & fresh parsley. The bowls sit atop a light blue surface next to fresh herbs, 2 glasses of red wine & a grey striped linen napkin.

Slowly Braised Lamb Ragu
Finished beef ragu fills a large black skillet. The ragu pasta has been garnished with fresh thyme leaves and grated parmesan. The skillet sits atop a black textured surface and a wooden spoon rests inside of the skillet.

Slowly Braised Beef Ragu
An overhead shot of a serving of white bolognese pasta on a light pink plate, garnished with grated parmesan and fresh herbs. The plate sits on a woven placemat on an off-white surface, and is surrounded with a dish of grated parmesan, fresh herbs and a glass of white wine.

Luscious White Bolognese
Close up of pork shoulder ragu tossed into pappardelle pasta in a skillet. The pasta is topped with fresh herbs.

Slowly Braised Pork Ragu with Pappardelle
A side angle shot of chicken ragu sauce tossed with Tagliatelle pasta inside of a white ceramic pasta bowl that sits atop a creamy white textured surface. A gold spoon is being used to lift pasta out of the bowl and towards the top of the frame with noodles cascading from for the fork back into the bowl of chicken ragu. A small wooden pinch bowl filled with grated parmesan cheese and sprigs of fresh herbs rest in the foreground, in front of the pasta bowl but slightly out of focus.

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weeknight pasta recipes

Craving gourmet homemade pasta but short on time? These quick and easy pasta recipes come together in under 45 minutes and deliver big flavor with minimal effort.

Two servings of sausage and peppers pasta served in white bowls are garnished with grated parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh chopped herbs. The bowls sit atop a white and gray marble surface with a blue and white striped linen napkin tucked underneath. Two metal forks and a small wooden pinch bowl filled with crushed red pepper flakes rest alongside the bowl at center.

Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta
A white plate of spicy rigatoni pasta with tomato sauce, kale, sausage, and grated cheese, garnished with basil leaves. Surrounding the plate are small bowls of grated cheese, pepper, red pepper flakes, and a glass of red wine.

Dangerously Good Spicy Rigatoni with Sausage and Calabrian Chilis (35 Minutes)
An overhead photo of an off-white plate of gnocchi carbonara topped with chives on an orange cloth atop a beige surface.

20-Minute Gnocchi Carbonara
An overhead shot of a serving of spicy vodka pasta in a shallow white bowl on a white tablecloth. A second bowl of pasta, a side salad and a plate of garlic bread sit alongside the pasta.

25-Minute Spicy Pasta alla Vodka (From-Scratch & Fuss-Free!)
An overhead shot of a plate of turkey bolognese pasta on a white plate. The pasta is topped with fresh parsley and parmesan, and a patinaed fork and spoon are nestled within the pasta. A drinking glass, bowl of parsley, scalloped plate with fresh grated parmesan, and black and white striped towel surround the plate on a white surface.

Best-Ever Turkey Bolognese
A plate of rigatoni pasta coated in creamy red pepper sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese, with a fork resting on the side.

25-Minute Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (No Heavy Cream!)

seasonal pasta inspiration

Cooking with the seasons is one of the easiest ways to make incredible pasta dishes. Fresh ingredients and peak flavors shine in these pasta recipes.

An overhead shot of a serving of butternut squash orzo topped with grated parmesan in a dark green shallow bowl atop an off-white surface.

One-Pot Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Kale
An overhead shot of an off-white stoneware bowl of pumpkin pasta alla vodka topped with sage leaves and parmesan atop a woven cream placemat. A gold fork and a second bowl of pasta sit beside it.

Pumpkin Pasta alla Vodka
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta shown in speckled ceramic pasta bowl, topped with crispy bacon, grated parmesan, ground black pepper, & fresh sage leaves. A silver fork rests inside of the pasta bowl & the bowl sits atop a white textured surface surrounded by a light blue linen napkin, & a small white bowl filled with freshly grated parmesan.

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Bacon
Creamy pumpkin mac & cheese shown on a white ceramic plate, topped with brown butter breadcrumbs & crispy sage leaves.

Creamy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Brown Butter Sage Breadcrumbs

baked pasta & lasagna

Few things are cozier than a bubbling pan of baked pasta. From classic lasagna to cheesy baked rigatoni, baked pasta recipes like these are perfect for Sunday dinners, holidays, and feeding a crowd.

Christmas Eve Lasagna on a small white plate, atop a white surface surrounded by small Christmas ornaments & a glass of red wine.

Christmas Eve Lasagna (Festive Lasagna Bolognese!)
An overhead shot of baked rigatoni in a casserole dish atop a white surface. A serving spoon has scooped out some of the pasta, and the dish is surrounded by small dishes of chopped basil, red pepper flakes, and grated parmesan cheese, and two glasses of white wine.

Better-Than-Ziti Baked Rigatoni with Sausage & Ricotta
A side angle shot of a slice of lasagna that sits atop a brown ceramic plate. The lasagna has been garnished with fresh chopped herbs and grated parmesan. The plate sits atop a light pink textured surface and white linen napkin rests in front of the plate.

Lasagna for Two (Small Batch Lasagna)
An overhead shot of crepe manicotti in a large casserole dish garnished with fresh basil. The dish sits on a white textured surface alongside dishes of parmesan and pepper, a plate with a fork and spoon, and a side salad.

Homemade Crepe Manicotti with Spinach Ricotta Filling
A slice of cheesy lasagna with visible layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese, garnished with fresh herbs, served on a white plate with a gold fork. Another slice is in the background.

Truly, the Best-Ever Lasagna Bolognese
A white baking dish filled with creamy seafood stuffed pasta shells topped with golden breadcrumbs and chopped parsley; a serving spoon and a portion plated nearby.

Baked Seafood-Stuffed Shells with Béchamel Sauce

pesto pasta recipes

An overhead shot of pesto pasta topped with whipped ricotta and pine nuts in a large white bowl atop a white surface. A striped cloth and dishes of ricotta and fresh basil sit alongside the bowl.

Restaurant-Worthy Pesto Pasta with Whipped Ricotta
An overhead shot of shrimp pesto pasta in a large white bowl atop a straw charger on an off-white surface. The pasta is garnished with pine nuts and basil leaves, and sits alongside a glass of white wine and a second bowl of pasta.

25-Minute Shrimp Pesto Pasta
A close up of Seared Scallops and Kale Pesto pasta on a white serving platter. Black serving ware rests on the platter & is tucked into the pasta ready to serve. The platter sits on a grey and white marble surface. A light grey linen napkin is tucked under the platter in the foreground and a clear glass of white wine is partially shown in the background.

Seared Scallop Pesto Pasta

shareable pasta salads

Pasta salad is a warm-weather classic for good reason. These pasta salad recipes are fresh, vibrant, and perfect for everything from weekly lunch prep to backyard gatherings.

An overhead shot of a large bowl of prepared pasta salad topped with pesto, sitting alongside a wooden cutting board, bowl of basil leaves, striped dish towel, jar of pesto, and bowl of pepper atop a white surface.

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies
Creamy Vegan Southwest Pasta Salad shown in a large white serving bowl. The salad is garnished with freshly chopped cilantro. The bowl is placed on a light blue surface, surrounded with smaller white dishes filled with tomatoes, chopped cilantro, & creamy vegan southwest dressing.

Vegan Southwest Pasta Salad Recipe
Sundried tomato pasta salad served inside of a large white serving bowl with scalloped edges sits atop a creamy white textured surface with an indigo blue linen napkin placed underneath. Two wooden serving spoons rest inside of the pasta salad and the pasta salad has been garnished with fresh basil. Two drinking glasses and a small wooden pinch bowl filled with kosher salt surround the bowl of pasta salad at center.

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

STEP-BY-STEP videos

vegetarian pasta

Plant-based pasta dinners are anything but boring. Packed with bold flavors, seasonal vegetables, and creamy sauces, vegetarian and vegan pasta recipes like these prove you don’t need meat for an incredible pasta night.

An overhead shot of lemon zucchini pasta on a pink plate atop a white surface. A second plate of pasta sits beside it.

Lemon Zucchini Pasta with Crispy Garlic Breadcrumbs
A side angle shot of a serving of wild mushroom ragu pasta inside of a brown speckled ceramic bowl. The pasta has been garnished with freshly grated parmesan and herbs and has gold silverware resting inside of the bowl. The bowl sits atop a creamy white textured surface with a light gray linen napkin, a small wooden pinch bowl filled with black pepper, and a glass of white wine resting alongside.

Best-Ever Wild Mushroom Vegetable Ragu
A close-up overhead shot of creamy vegan pasta in a white skillet, topped with basil leaves and lemon wedges.

Veggie-Loaded Vegan Pasta with Lemon Basil Cashew Cream Sauce

hearty add-ons

Looking to make your pasta dinner a little heartier? These crowd-favorite add-ons pair perfectly with just about any pasta recipe.

Best-Ever Ricotta Meatballs simmer in a homemade simple red sauce in a cherry red Staub 13-inch Double Handle Fry Pan. The meatballs have been garnished with freshly chopped basil, parsley, and parmesan cheese and the fry pan sits atop a creamy white cement surface. A blue and white striped linen napkin has been placed underneath the fry pan. A small bouquet of fresh parsley in a wooden container and a small wooden pinch bowl filled with parmesan cheese sit atop the linen napkin, alongside of the fry pan.

Best-Ever Meatballs: Italian-Style Ricotta Meatballs with Simple Tomato Sauce
Parmesan crusted chicken cutlets on a large white platter, which sits atop a gray striped linen napkin on a white surface, surrounded by salad, a bowl of lemon wedges, a small bowl of pesto, & a small bowl of grated parmesan cheese.

Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken
An angled shot of spaghetti and chicken meatballs in red sauce in a white shallow bowl atop a white marbled surface, surrounded by salt and pepper, a plate of bread and a glass of red wine.

Extra-Juicy & Tender Baked Chicken Meatballs with Ricotta Cheese

round out your pasta dinner

Complete your menu with a few of my go-to classic sides. Crisp salads and warm garlic bread are the perfect finishing touches for an Italian-inspired meal at home.

An overhead shot of Caesar salad on a white scalloped plate atop a white marbled surface.

Perfect Classic Caesar Salad (15-Minute Side for Pasta, Pizza, and More!)
An overhead shot of a mixed green side salad on a white scalloped plate atop a white surface.

Fresh Mixed Greens Side Salad (for Steak, Pasta, & More!)
A close-up overhead shot of slices of garlic bread on white parchment paper.

Garlic Lover’s Garlic Bread with Parmesan Cheese
Four slices of golden-brown garlic bread topped with chopped parsley are arranged on a light blue oval plate, set on a table with garlic cloves, parsley, salt, a pepper grinder, and utensils nearby.

Last-Minute Garlic Bread with Sliced Bread (10 Minutes)
An angled shot of tiramisu in a coupe glass. A spoonful of the tiramisu has been removed from the glass.

Creamy-Dreamy Individual Tiramisu Cups

Must-Have Pasta Equipment

AllPasta Recipes

Garlic Butter Lobster Pasta with Spaghetti (Restaurant-Worthy)

Caprese Pasta Salad with Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella (25 Minutes)

Rao’s Summer Spaghetti

Mom’s Crazy-Good Garlic Noodles (25 Minutes)

Dangerously Good Spicy Rigatoni with Sausage and Calabrian Chilis (35 Minutes)

Nancy Meyers’ Christmas Fettuccine (Just Like ‘The Holiday’!)

Truly, the Best-Ever Lasagna Bolognese

Hands-Free Baked Butternut Squash Risotto (No Stirring!)

Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Pasta with Pappardelle 

25-Minute Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (No Heavy Cream!)

No-Fuss Vegetarian Sheet Pan Lasagna

30-Minute Creamy Zucchini Pasta with Boursin (Lazy Pasta alla Nerano)

Pistachio Pesto Pasta (25 Minutes)

Weeknight MVP Tortellini Caesar Salad (25 Minutes)

Restaurant-Worthy Pesto Pasta with Whipped Ricotta

25-Minute Spicy Pasta alla Vodka (From-Scratch & Fuss-Free!)

Restaurant-Worthy Chicken Marsala Fettuccine with Mushrooms

Mom’s Takeout-Worthy Vegetable Stir Fried Noodles (20 Minutes)

Homemade Crepe Manicotti with Spinach Ricotta Filling

Slowly Braised Beef Osso Buco (Restaurant-Worthy!)

Bucatini all’Amatriciana (25 Minutes)

30-Minute Veggie-Loaded Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

25-Minute Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Lazy Girl Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

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