27 Must-Try Pasta Recipes That Taste as Good as They Look
When it comes to weeknight dinners, nothing beats a comforting plate of pasta. These pasta recipes are easy enough for a busy night yet delicious enough to feel like a treat or a weekend-worthy meal. Get ready for bold flavors, simple ingredients, and dishes your family will request on repeat!
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli
This 30-minute wonder is just what you need. With savory sausage, tender broccoli, and perfectly shaped orecchiette pasta, every bite is packed with flavor. It’s all made in one pan—minimal cleanup, maximum deliciousness. No wonder it’s a family favorite!
Get the Recipe: Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
This dreamy one-pot meal brings bold Italian flavors straight to your table. The juicy chicken, velvety orzo, and a creamy, garlicky sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It comes together in just 45 minutes, making it an easy yet elegant dinner. Don’t forget the crusty bread—you’ll want to soak up every last drop!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
If there’s one meal that never fails to please, it’s this one. A slow-simmered, rich meat sauce made with ground beef, Italian sausage, and the perfect blend of seasonings coats every strand of spaghetti. Serve it up with a crisp salad and warm garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.
Chicken and Dumplings
When you need a bowl of pure comfort, this easy chicken and dumplings recipe delivers. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a cozy classic featuring tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a creamy, flavorful broth. Customize it with your favorite veggies or just use whatever’s in your fridge—it’s the perfect weeknight lifesaver!
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings.
Cheesy Boursin Pasta
If you are a pasta lovers, meet your new obsession. This ultra-creamy dish uses Boursin cheese as the star ingredient, creating a luscious, garlicky sauce in minutes. Just toss it with your favorite pasta, add a simple green salad, and serve with warm breadsticks for an easy, indulgent meal that tastes like a restaurant-quality treat.
Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Pasta.
Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings
This chicken & gnocchi dumplings dish is like a warm hug in a bowl. Pillowy gnocchi take the place of traditional dumplings, soaking up the rich, flavorful broth. Serve it with a side of buttery biscuits or a crisp mixed greens salad for the ultimate comfort meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings.
Chicken Parmesan Pasta
This dish takes everything you love about classic chicken parmesan and transforms it into a delicious, easy-to-make pasta. Juicy breaded chicken, tangy marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese come together for a meal the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Pasta.
Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta
Spicy, creamy, and packed with bold Cajun flavors, this pasta is pure Southern comfort. The chicken, smoky spices, and a rich sauce coat every bite, making it a must-try for spice lovers. Serve it with cornbread or a side of sautéed green beans for a true Louisiana-style feast.
Get the Recipe: Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta.
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Simple, classic, and undeniably delicious, this Roman pasta dish proves that less is more. With just a handful of ingredients—bucatini, Pecorino Romano, black pepper, and butter—you get a silky, cheesy, peppery masterpiece in no time. Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most satisfying!
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe.
Chicken Lo Mein
Skip the takeout and make this easy, flavor-packed chicken lo mein at home! The tender chicken, crisp veggies such as mushrooms, snap peas with perfectly sauced noodles come together in just 30 minutes. It’s a quick, satisfying dinner the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lo Mein.
Chicken Broccoli Ziti
This classic comfort dish is a go-to for busy nights. Juicy chicken, tender broccoli, and al dente ziti come together in a creamy, garlicky sauce that is satisfying and simple. Serve it with a sprinkle of Parmesan, and dinner is done!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Ziti.
Chicken Fajita Pasta
Two favorite dinners—fajitas and pasta—come together in one incredible dish! Juicy chicken, colorful peppers, and a creamy, smoky sauce coat every bite of pasta. It’s bold, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajita Pasta.
Shrimp Linguine
This shrimp linguine is the perfect balance of light and indulgent! Juicy shrimp, al dente pasta, and a simple yet flavorful sauce come together in minutes for an elegant meal that tastes straight out of a restaurant. Pair it with a glass of wine and a green salad.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Linguine.
Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta
This dish takes all the sizzling flavors of classic chicken fajitas and transforms them into a creamy, comforting pasta dish. Juicy chicken, colorful peppers, and a rich, cheesy sauce coat every bite—making it the ultimate fusion of Tex-Mex and pasta night!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta.
Creamy Tomato Pasta
Rich, velvety, and packed with flavor, this creamy tomato pasta is proof that simple ingredients can create something truly amazing. The luscious tomato sauce hugs every strand of pasta, making this an easy, satisfying meal you’ll want to make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Pasta.
Cajun Chicken Sausage Alfredo Pasta
When comfort food meets Cajun spice, you get this irresistible pasta dish. The creamy Alfredo sauce coats tender pasta and savory slices of chicken sausage, all with a bold, spicy kick. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that comes together in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken Sausage Alfredo Pasta.
Penne Pomodoro
Sometimes, simple is best. This penne pomodoro is made with just a handful of high-quality ingredients, yet it delivers restaurant-level flavor. The bright and fresh tomato sauce perfectly complements the al dente pasta, creating a classic Italian dish you can whip up in no time.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro.
Baked Ravioli Lasagna
Love lasagna but hate the hassle? This baked ravioli lasagna is the ultimate shortcut! Layers of cheese-filled ravioli, ground beef, a rich meat sauce, and plenty of gooey cheese make this dish taste like classic lasagna—with a fraction of the effort.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli Lasagna.
Chicken Sausage Pasta
This 25-minute dinner is a lifesaver on busy nights! Zesty chicken sausage, tender broccolini, and plenty of melty cheese come together for a hearty, satisfying meal. Top it off with fresh Parmesan and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra kick!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage Pasta.
Pasta Napolitana
Who says meatless meals can’t be amazing? This classic pasta napolitana is packed with bold Italian flavors using just a handful of simple ingredients—pasta, onions, garlic, and cherry tomatoes. It’s fresh, delicious, and ready in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Pasta Napolitana.
Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce
Take your pasta night up a notch with this unique twist! Creamy, herby pesto fettuccine meets a rich and hearty Bolognese sauce for a flavor-packed dish that’s anything but ordinary. It’s the perfect fusion of two Italian favorites!
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce.
One Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes
Easy, wholesome, and packed with fresh flavors, this one-pot pasta is a total game-changer. Juicy tomatoes, wilted spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta come together in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze. Pair it with a side of crusty bread and a refreshing glass of white wine, like Pinot Grigio.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes.
Pasta alla Carbonara
Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, this classic Roman dish is a must-try. Made with crispy pancetta, eggs, Pecorino Romano, and freshly cracked black pepper, every bite of this pasta alla carbonara is pure perfection. Serve it with a simple butter lettuce salad and a chilled glass of Prosecco for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Carbonara.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Bold, creamy, and full of Cajun spice, this shrimp pasta is packed with flavor in every bite. Juicy shrimp are tossed with a rich, smoky sauce and tender pasta for a dish that is comforting and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Pasta.
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Chicken Pasta
This irresistible dish is creamy, dreamy, and totally worthy of its name! Juicy chicken is simmered in a rich, garlicky sun-dried tomato sauce, then tossed with tender pasta for a meal that’s pure comfort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
Pancetta Pea Pasta
Salty pancetta, sweet peas, and a light, creamy sauce make this pasta a simple yet elegant choice for any night of the week. Serve with a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a side of garlic-roasted Brussels sprouts for an elevated meal.
Get the Recipe: Pancetta Pea Pasta.
Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Bloody Mary Vodka Sauce
If you love a little heat, this spicy shrimp pasta is for you! Featuring a bold Bloody Mary-inspired vodka sauce, this dish brings together briny shrimp, zesty tomato flavors, and a spicy kick that keeps you coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta.
