31 Pasta Dinner Recipes

Pasta is the ultimate comfort food that never goes out of style. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or hosting friends for dinner, these recipes offer something for everyone.

From rich and creamy classics to light and fresh options, you’ll find dishes that are both satisfying and surprisingly easy to make. Many of these recipes come together in under 30 minutes, while others are perfect for meal prep or weekend cooking. Get ready to expand your pasta repertoire with these delicious ideas.

Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

This Roman classic is pure magic with just a few simple ingredients. The silky sauce comes from eggs and cheese rather than cream, coating each strand of pasta in rich, savory goodness. It’s surprisingly quick to make once you get the technique down, though timing is everything to avoid scrambled eggs. The crispy pancetta or bacon adds a salty crunch that perfectly balances the creamy sauce. It feels fancy but comes together faster than ordering takeout.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This restaurant-quality dish brings together tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a luscious cream sauce. The flavors are bold yet balanced, with garlic and Italian herbs tying everything together beautifully. It’s the kind of meal that looks impressive but doesn’t require advanced cooking skills. The sauce is rich enough to feel indulgent while the vegetables add freshness. Perfect for date night at home or when you want to treat yourself.

Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage

This hearty casserole is comfort food at its finest, with layers of pasta, meat sauce, and melted cheese. The Italian sausage adds incredible flavor without requiring lots of extra seasonings. It’s ideal for feeding a crowd or making ahead for easy weeknight dinners. The baked top gets slightly crispy while the inside stays creamy and satisfying. Leftovers actually taste even better the next day once the flavors meld together.

Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Light yet satisfying, this elegant dish features plump shrimp in a garlicky butter and white wine sauce. The bright lemon flavor cuts through the richness perfectly, making it feel fresh rather than heavy. It comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something special. The shrimp cook quickly and the sauce is simple but incredibly flavorful. Serve with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that amazing sauce.

Beef Bolognese

This slow-simmered meat sauce is deeply savory and incredibly rich in flavor. The long cooking time breaks down the beef and tomatoes into a thick, luxurious sauce that clings to every bite of pasta. While it takes time, most of it is hands-off simmering, and the result is absolutely worth the wait. It’s perfect for Sunday dinner or making a big batch to freeze for later. The sauce tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop.

Cajun Chicken Alfredo

This spicy twist on classic fettuccine Alfredo brings bold Cajun flavors to the creamy sauce. The seasoned chicken has a nice kick that plays beautifully against the rich, velvety alfredo. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home and tastes better than most restaurant versions. You can adjust the heat level to your preference without losing the distinctive Cajun character. It’s indulgent comfort food with an exciting flavor profile.

Lasagna Bolognese

This layered masterpiece combines rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and plenty of melted cheese. It takes some time to assemble, but the result is a showstopping dish that’s perfect for special occasions. The combination of textures and flavors in each bite makes it incredibly satisfying. It feeds a crowd easily and reheats beautifully for lunches throughout the week. The crispy edges and gooey center make every slice perfect.

Penne alla Vodka

The vodka in this sauce helps release flavors from the tomatoes that you can’t get any other way. The result is a silky, slightly spicy pink sauce that’s both creamy and bright. It’s elegant enough for company but simple enough for a Tuesday night. The sauce comes together quickly and coats the penne tubes perfectly, getting into all those ridges. A little fresh basil on top adds the perfect finishing touch.

Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta with Shrimp

This light and refreshing dish is perfect for warmer weather or when you want something that won’t weigh you down. The bright lemon and garlic create a simple but incredibly flavorful sauce that lets the sweet shrimp shine. It’s ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish, making it one of the fastest dinners you can make. Despite being light, it’s still satisfying and feels special. The butter adds just enough richness without overwhelming the fresh flavors.

Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

These jumbo shells filled with creamy ricotta and spinach are like little pasta packages of joy. They’re easier to make than lasagna but just as impressive and delicious. The filling is herb-rich and satisfying, while the marinara and melted mozzarella on top add familiar comfort. You can assemble them ahead of time and bake when ready, making them great for entertaining. They’re substantial enough to satisfy even the biggest appetites.

One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

This genius recipe gives you all the flavors of chicken parmesan without breading, frying, or using multiple dishes. Everything cooks together in one pot, including the pasta, which absorbs all that amazing tomato and herb flavor. It’s incredibly convenient for busy weeknights and cleanup is a breeze. The chicken stays tender and the cheese gets perfectly melty on top. You’ll get that classic Italian-American comfort in half the time and effort.

Mushroom Stroganoff Pasta

This vegetarian version of the classic Russian dish is rich, creamy, and deeply savory. The mushrooms develop incredible umami flavor when properly sautéed, making the dish satisfying even without meat. The sour cream-based sauce is tangy and luscious, coating the pasta beautifully. It comes together relatively quickly and tastes like it took hours. Even meat-lovers won’t miss the beef in this flavorful, hearty dish.

Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

This vibrant dish is all about fresh, bright flavors that come together effortlessly. The basil pesto coats each strand of pasta with herby, garlicky goodness while the burst cherry tomatoes add sweet acidity. It’s perfect for summer when basil is abundant, though store-bought pesto works great too. The whole meal comes together in less than 20 minutes with minimal cooking. It’s light enough for warm evenings but still feels like a complete dinner.

Spicy Arrabbiata Rigatoni

This fiery Roman pasta is simple but packed with bold flavor from tomatoes, garlic, and red pepper flakes. The sauce is quick-cooking and intensely flavored, clinging perfectly to the ridged rigatoni tubes. It’s the perfect choice when you’re craving something spicy and satisfying without much effort. You can easily adjust the heat level to your preference. The simplicity of the dish lets the quality of your ingredients really shine through.

Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese

This is mac and cheese taken to the next level with crispy bacon and a super creamy cheese sauce. It’s pure comfort food that both kids and adults will devour enthusiastically. The bacon adds a smoky, salty element that elevates the cheesy pasta beyond basic. It’s rich and indulgent, perfect for when you need serious comfort or want to feed hungry guests. You can bake it for a crispy top or keep it stovetop-creamy.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This viral recipe earned its name because it’s supposedly so delicious, you’ll want to marry whoever makes it for you. The chicken sits in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with Italian herbs and parmesan. It’s restaurant-quality impressive but surprisingly straightforward to make at home. The sauce is rich and flavorful with a slight tang from the sun-dried tomatoes. One bite and you’ll understand where the name comes from.

Cacio e Pepe

This minimalist Roman dish proves that great pasta doesn’t need complicated ingredients. With just pasta, pecorino cheese, black pepper, and pasta water, it creates a silky, peppery sauce that’s addictively good. The technique takes some practice to get the sauce just right, but it’s worth mastering. It’s elegant in its simplicity and incredibly satisfying. The key is using high-quality cheese and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper.

Baked Manicotti

These large pasta tubes stuffed with creamy ricotta filling and baked in marinara are classic Italian-American comfort. They’re a bit more work than simpler pasta dishes, but the impressive presentation makes them perfect for gatherings. The ricotta filling is smooth and herb-infused, while the tomato sauce keeps everything moist during baking. The melted cheese on top gets golden and bubbly. They’re substantial and satisfying without being overly heavy.

Sausage and Pepper Pasta

This dish brings together Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, and onions in a simple but flavorful sauce. The sausage releases its seasonings into the sauce, eliminating the need for lots of extra spices. It’s a one-pan dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something hearty. The peppers add sweetness and color while staying slightly crisp. It’s rustic, filling, and reminds you of Italian street food.

Caprese Pasta Salad

This cold pasta dish captures all the flavors of a classic caprese salad in a more substantial form. Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil toss with pasta and a simple balsamic dressing. It’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or hot summer nights when you don’t want to turn on the stove. The flavors are fresh and light, though the pasta makes it filling enough for a main course. It’s best when tomatoes are at their peak ripeness.

Tomato Basil Angel Hair Pasta

This light and fresh dish lets the simple combination of ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil shine. The delicate angel hair pasta cooks in just a few minutes and pairs perfectly with the fresh sauce. It’s the kind of meal you can throw together with pantry staples when you need something quick. Despite its simplicity, the flavors are bright and satisfying. A drizzle of good olive oil brings everything together beautifully.

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

The intense, concentrated flavor of sun-dried tomatoes creates an incredibly rich sauce with minimal effort. Combined with cream and garlic, it’s tangy, savory, and slightly sweet all at once. This dish comes together quickly but tastes like you spent hours on it. The sun-dried tomatoes also add interesting texture along with bold flavor. It’s vegetarian but so satisfying that no one will miss the meat.

Seafood Linguine

This Italian-inspired dish is loaded with a medley of seafood in a light white wine and garlic sauce. Shrimp, mussels, clams, and sometimes scallops create a taste of the ocean in every bite. It feels fancy and special but is surprisingly approachable to make at home. The sauce is light enough to let the delicate seafood flavors shine through. It’s perfect for celebrating special occasions or impressing dinner guests.

Beef and Mushroom Ragu

This hearty sauce is deeply savory with tender chunks of beef and earthy mushrooms in a rich tomato base. It’s similar to bolognese but chunkier and with the added umami from mushrooms. The long, slow simmer creates incredible depth of flavor that’s perfect for cooler weather. It’s the kind of dish that makes your house smell amazing while it cooks. Serve it over pappardelle or rigatoni to catch all that delicious sauce.

Spinach Artichoke Pasta

This dish transforms the beloved dip into a creamy, satisfying pasta dinner. The combination of spinach, artichokes, cream, and parmesan is familiar and comforting. It’s rich and indulgent while still incorporating vegetables, making you feel slightly virtuous. The sauce is thick and coats the pasta perfectly, getting into every nook. It comes together quickly and is a great way to use up that jar of artichoke hearts in your pantry.

Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake

This creamy casserole combines the classic flavors of broccoli cheddar soup with pasta for ultimate comfort food. The sharp cheddar creates a rich, cheesy sauce while the broccoli adds color and nutrition. It’s a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables without any complaints. The crispy, golden top contrasts perfectly with the creamy interior. It’s filling, family-friendly, and makes excellent leftovers.

Greek Pasta with Feta and Olives

This Mediterranean-inspired dish is bright, tangy, and full of bold flavors. Salty feta, briny olives, fresh tomatoes, and herbs create a sauce that’s both light and satisfying. It comes together quickly and doesn’t require any cream or heavy ingredients. The flavors are fresh and summery, perfect for when you want something different from Italian pasta. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens everything up beautifully.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This simple yet indulgent dish is all about the rich, garlicky cream sauce with plenty of parmesan. It’s incredibly quick to make and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. The sauce is velvety smooth and coats the pasta perfectly for maximum flavor in every bite. You can easily add chicken, shrimp, or vegetables to make it more substantial. It’s comfort food that satisfies those creamy pasta cravings every time.

Spicy Sausage Orecchiette

The little ear-shaped pasta catches the crumbled sausage and sauce perfectly in this rustic Italian dish. The spicy Italian sausage provides all the seasoning you need, making it incredibly simple to prepare. Often paired with broccoli rabe or regular broccoli, it balances richness with slight bitterness. It’s hearty, flavorful, and comes together in about 20 minutes. The texture combination of pasta, sausage, and greens makes it endlessly satisfying.

Lemon Asparagus Pasta

This light and springy dish celebrates fresh asparagus with bright lemon and garlic. The asparagus stays slightly crisp, adding great texture to the tender pasta. It’s refreshing and perfect for transitioning from heavy winter meals to lighter spring fare. A little parmesan and butter add just enough richness without overwhelming the fresh vegetables. It’s simple, elegant, and ready in less than 30 minutes.

Three-Cheese Baked Rigatoni

This ultra-cheesy baked pasta combines ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan for maximum creamy, melty goodness. The ridged rigatoni tubes hold onto all that cheese and sauce beautifully. It’s essentially a simpler, quicker version of lasagna with all the same comforting flavors. The edges get crispy and golden while the center stays creamy. It’s crowd-pleasing, easy to make ahead, and guaranteed to satisfy cheese lovers.