25 Restaurant-Worthy Italian Pasta Recipes
It's time for a pasta party! Whether it's a weeknight family dinner or a special entertaining occasion, we have an easy, flavorful Italian pasta recipe (tastier and more affordable than what you can order at a restaurant!) that will please your hungry dinner crowd.
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Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Pasta
Roast up a big sheet pan of veggies, then toss with cooked pasta and a bit of olive oil for a light and healthy pasta dinner. For more protein, stir in cooked shrimp or chicken.
- Start to Finish:
- 35 mins
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Make-It-Mine Mac and Cheese
Feeding a family of picky eaters? Start with our basic mac, then customize for more adventurous palates with broccoli, beans, kale, salsa, or caramelized onions.
- Start to Finish:
- 35 mins
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Tortellini with Broccolini
On the nights when you want a quick dinner as well as quick cleanup, stir together this vegetarian skillet pasta recipe.
- Start to Finish:
- 25 mins
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Spaghetti with Seared Asparagus
Crunchy toasted hazelnuts and panko-breaded asparagus offer a nice texture contrast to tender spaghetti noodles. Try this pasta recipe with either white or green asparagus.
- Start to Finish:
- 45 mins
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Herbed Chicken, Orzo, and Zucchini
While it resembles rice more than noodles, orzo is classified as a short grain pasta. Smaller pasta translates to a smaller cook time, so this complete chicken dinner can be on the table in just 20 minutes.
- Start to Finish:
- 20 mins
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Prosciutto and Beans
Coat all of the ingredients with herbed garlic butter for a flavorful sauce. Pair with any pasta for a quick and easy meal.
- Start to Finish:
- 30 mins
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Copycat Pesto Cavatappi
Our version of this corkscrew pasta dish, made famous at a fast-food pasta chain, gets a head start with store-bought pesto. Just add a splash of white wine, cream, and sauteed tomatoes, and dinner is done.
- Start to Finish:
- 30 mins
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Pasta with No-Cook Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella
This might just be the freshest pasta salad you’ll ever taste. With olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and pasta water as the sauce (instead of mayo or something creamy), this rigatoni recipe can easily be packed up for picnics and outdoor potlucks.
- Start to Finish:
- 1 hr
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Sausage and Cannellini Bean Penne
Turkey sausage and cannellini beans give each serving of this slow cooker pasta recipe a healthy dose of protein.
- Start to Finish:
- 6 hrs 20 mins
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Chickpea Alfredo with Spring Veggies
Vegan Alfredo sauce does exist! Start with cashews, chickpea flour, garlic, olive oil, and seasonings for a creamy fettuccine topper that will fool even the most diehard cheese devotees.
- Start to Finish:
- 35 mins
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Tuscan Mac and Cheese Cups
No paper cupcake liners are required for these baked snacks. Use prosciutto to line each muffin cup for an edible package that requires zero utensils to enjoy.
- Start to Finish:
- 1 hr 5 mins
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Arugula and Dried Tomato Pasta
This colorful dish mimics the hues of the Italian flag and celebrates the country's flavors. Instead of olive oil, substitute the oil in which the tomatoes are packed for infused tomato flavor.
- Start to Finish:
- 30 mins
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Rosemary and Ravioli Chicken Soup
Don't call for takeout! This healthy, hearty ravioli soup is as easy as dump, stir, boil, and serve.
- Start to Finish:
- 35 mins
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Gnocchi with Mozzarella, Broccolini, and Warm Anchovy Sauce
Chewy gnocchi, melty cheeses, and crisp broccolini marinate in a savory sauce of fresh herbs and spicy anchovies.
- Start to Finish:
- 50 mins
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Bolognese Lasagna with Porcini-Ricotta Filling
Enjoy a family-style meal with our colorful and flavorful lasagna. Alternate between meaty layers of Italian sausage and ground beef alongside melty cheese and homemade porcini-Parmesan sauce.
- Start to Finish:
- 2 hrs 25 mins
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Cheesy Shell-Stuffed Shells
Four types of cheese and two types of pasta make up these delicious shells perfect for potlucks.
- Start to Finish:
- 1 hr 35 mins
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Linguine with Sausage, Greens, and Egg Pan Sauce
Toss together this simple, satisfying 20-minute pasta recipe for a weeknight dinner. Sausage spices up the light and cheesy pan sauce, while light mustard greens offer a refreshing flavor.
- Start to Finish:
- 23 mins
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Fettuccine Alfredo
This creamy, classic sauce is a reader favorite. Serve it meatless or with chicken or shrimp. We'll show you three recipe variations for weeknight dinners.
- Start to Finish:
- 35 mins
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Shrimp and Roasted Red Peppers
A cool sauce of cream, white wine, and basil complements the fiery flavors of roasted red peppers and crushed red pepper-laden shrimp.
- Start to Finish:
- 25 mins
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Mushroom Ravioli Filling
A mix of savory mushrooms and fresh ricotta fills homemade ravioli for a hearty vegetarian dish. Toss with olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, and snipped chives for a simple sauce.
- Start to Finish:
- 35 mins
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Orecchiette with Ricotta and Chard Pan Sauce
Creamy ricotta tones down the slight bitterness of Swiss chard. If you don't have bite-size orecchiette pasta on hand, substitute a similar-size pasta.
- Start to Finish:
- 25 mins
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Chicken and Gorgonzola Pasta
Cream and Gorgonzola cheese create a wonderfully rich sauce perfect for coating fresh mushrooms and chicken. Garnish this 30-minute meal with more Gorgonzola and fresh parsley.
- Start to Finish:
- 30 mins
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Mushroom Agnolotti with Corn, Tomatoes, and Arugula Pan Sauce
The unusual crescent-shape agnolotti pasta is stuffed with cheese, meat, or vegetables. Pair with ripe tomatoes, crisp sweet corn, and sharp arugula for a healthy, restaurant-worthy meal that's ready in 30 minutes. Ravioli or tortellini can stand in for agnolotti, if you like.
- Start to Finish:
- 30 mins
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Gnocchi with Mushroom Sauce
Dried porcini mushrooms come to life in this mushroom-laden dish. Combine the mushroom mixture with leeks and white wine to complete the sauce for store-bought gnocchi.
- Start to Finish:
- 1 hr 1 min
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Sausage Ravioli Filling
Fresh spinach and Italian sausage mix with creamy ricotta cheese for a traditional ravioli filling. Pair with your favorite jarred tomato sauce for a weeknight shortcut.
- Start to Finish:
- 20 mins
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Next Slideshow All-Time Favorite Italian Recipes
All-Time Favorite Italian Recipes
Calling all spaghetti-lovers and pizza purists! You're going to fall for all of our delicious Italian recipes. These traditional dishes are our favorite Italian recipes -- ones you'll want to share, hand down, and save in your recipe box. Sure, we have classics like spaghetti bolognese and baked ziti, but be sure to start with bruschetta and end with tiramisu for the complete Italian experience!Begin Slideshow »