20 Seriously Delicious Pasta Dishes to Add to Your Rotation
From spicy puttanesca to perfectly al dente pappardelle, these pasta dishes are absolute crowd pleasers.
When we think of crowd-pleasing dishes that can feed plenty, pasta is surely at the top of the list. This Italian staple is versatile, delicious, filling, and perfect for a range of occasions be it a dinner party, comfort meal for one, or romantic date night in.
Whether you're partial to an indulgent and creamy pasta alla gin, or you're in the mood for a spicy spaghetti alla puttanesca, a good pasta dish rarely misses the mark.
We've rounded up a seriously delicious selection of pasta dishes that will go down a treat with even the fussiest eaters and have you and your guests begging for seconds. Even better? Each of these mouthwatering recipes is quick and easy to make and vegetarian-friendly.
2. Spicy Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca
Those who love a salty snack will salivate at the ingredients: anchovies, capers, and two kinds of olives in a rich tomato sauce. Topped with parsley for freshness and parmesan for added bite, this pasta dish is balanced, bright, and downright delicious.
3. Creamy Pasta Alla Gin
If you’ve ever tried pasta alla vodka, you'll know how delicious and moreish it is. Gin will do just this, but also add subtle complexity to the dish, as it has herbal and botanical notes. This foolproof Italian delight is quick to make and perfect for dinner parties, busy schedules, or those nights you simply feel like tucking into something comforting and indulgent.
4. Lemon and Pistachio Pasta
Simple, quick, and delicious – what more could you want? This delightful recipe requires just eight ingredients and less than 30 minutes of your time. Featuring refreshing lemon, parsley, and chives, with pistachios adding a nutty flavour and crunch alongside the silky pasta, this well-balanced dish is perfect for mid-week meals or your next date night.
5. Baked Rigatoni With Broccoli and Zucchini Pesto and Pangrattato
If you're looking for crowd-pleasing comfort food that's weeknight-friendly: consider it found. Warming, creamy, with a cheesy golden crust that's topped with pine nuts, this Italian classic only needs one pan and does an excellent job of sneaking veggies into the sauce to ensure that even kids will come back for seconds.
6. Cavatelli With Creamy Tomato Sauce and Stracciatella
One of our most popular recipes to date, Gabriella Simonian of No Regretti Spaghetti's irresistible cavatelli dish is the way to win over anyone. Featuring a creamy roasted tomato blend served with dollops of stracciatella cheese and fresh basil leaves, it's an indulgent meal that's perfect for dinner parties or elevated nights in.
7. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta with Marinara Sauce
This recipe sees large pasta shells stuffed with spinach and plenty of cheesy goodness – we're talking ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan – baked in a marinara sauce and topped with basil. It guarantees a phenomenally comforting meal in 45 minutes.
8. Fettuccine With Cherry Tomatoes, Roasted Eggplant and Burrata
Another dish where burrata steals the show, this fettuccine masterpiece is packed with flavour thanks to roasted eggplant, bright cherry tomatoes, a touch of chilli, and fresh basil. But it's the melted burrata cheese that's gently folded through the long strands of silky pasta that we can't get enough of.
9. Vodka Pasta Bake
This indulgent dish consists of ricotta-stuffed pasta shells nestled in a creamy, tomato-y vodka sauce, topped with mozzarella and parmesan and baked until golden and crispy.
10. Tomato and Garlic Linguine
The recipe for this vibrant dish is easy to understand and almost completely foolproof. Perfect for weeknights when you're feeling exhausted, or dinner parties where you need something easy to whip up, this pasta celebrates cherry tomatoes that are perfectly enhanced with garlic.
11. Stovetop Mac and Cheese
For a sure-to-please recipe that’s a breeze to whip up, this stovetop mac and cheese has got you covered. Decadent and delicious, this simple classic consists of two main elements: al dente pasta of your choice coated in a glossy cheese sauce. Better yet? It only takes 20 minutes to whip up.
12. Mushroom and Thyme Pappardelle
Mushrooms and pasta are a match made in heaven, and this dish only proves that further. Silky, wide ribbons of pasta meet buttery, in-season mushrooms in this heavenly autumn dish. Fragrant with thyme, it's a rich and decadent option that will please meat lovers and vegetarians alike.
13. Broccolini, Roasted Almond and Lemon Spaghetti
Pasta dishes don't need to be super indulgent, and this delightful recipe is a great example of the perfect summertime pasta. Packed with fibre from an abundance of vegetables, freshness from herbs, crunch from roasted almonds, zest from lemon and creaminess from cheese, every mouthful is an explosion of different textures and flavours that all work in harmony.
14. Cavatelli With Green Sauce, Pangrattato and Burrata
This dish uses leeks softened in melted butter, combined with vibrant vegetables and a splash of white wine. It's then topped with golden, crunchy breadcrumbs and creamy cheese. What's not to love?
15. Rich Brown Butter Pomodoro With Olive Gremolata
Luscious and warming, this no-fuss recipe requires minimal effort for maximum reward. The kind of dish long lunches are lingered over; its depth of flavour comes from browning good-quality butter, while the olive gremolata injects a zingy brightness into every mouthful.
16. Foglie D’Ulivo With Romesco Sauce and Burrata
This simple yet indulgent dish will bring the essence of the Mediterranean into your kitchen and straight to your next dinner party. Rich and flavourful, it features romesco sauce, topped with the creamy decadence of burrata.
17. Pea and Ricotta Pasta with Parmesan Breadcrumbs
Into the Sauce founder Tori Falzon has created a delicious and quick-to-whip-up pea and ricotta pasta that's elevated with tasty parmesan breadcrumbs and will satisfy any party guest, exhausted worker, or hungry family.
18. Roasted Tomato Rigatoni with Burrata
Melding the sweetness of blistered cherry tomatoes with silken double cream and pillowy burrata, the flavours and textures in this pasta blend exceptionally well. Be sure to heed the recipe and complete it with some confit garlic and fresh basil to give it a fragrant and refreshing lift.
19. Linguine with Sage and Walnut Pesto
A simple dish it may be, but there's nothing boring about this deliciously herby pasta. Putting a twist on the standard pesto recipe, this one uses sage, parsley and walnuts instead of basil and pine nuts, resulting in a sauce that's bright and earthy in every bite.
20. Tuscan Kale Pasta
A date night classic – or for any time, really – this is the kind of pasta dish that satisfies multiple flavour cravings. Lemon zest brings brightness; red chilli adds a touch of heat; spaghetti covers the carb cravings; oh, and the decent dose of Tuscan kale ensures we've ticked off some greens for the day.
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