35 Italian Pasta Dishes That’ll Make You Say Mangia!
Updated: Jun. 24, 2024
If Italian pasta is your idea of the perfect comfort food, then you'll love putting together these recipes—from traditional Roman pastas to slow-cooked Sunday sauces.
Whether you’re eating a bowl of authentic Roman cacio e pepe or a giant tray of cheesy baked ziti, pasta has a way of soothing the soul. We love Old World-Italian recipes just as much as Italian-American classics, and these recipes celebrate Italian-inspired pasta in all its beautiful forms. You’ll find creamy carbonaras, saucy gnocchi and homemade ravioli (all nonna-approved recipes, of course).
Serve with homey Italian side dishes to make the perfect celebratory feast—don’t skimp on the Parmesan cheese and extra-virgin olive oil! Study up on your pasta shapes, stock up on San Marzano tomatoes and get cooking.
Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Fettuccine, butter, heavy cream, Parmesan, Romano cheese
Level: Beginner
This heavenly cream sauce comes to life with a dash of earthy nutmeg and black pepper. Serve the fettuccine with crispy garlic bread, and you have the ultimate restaurant-worthy dinner.
“This easy Alfredo sauce is creamy, comforting and coats fettuccine noodles in fine fashion. This recipe is wonderful as is, but sometimes I like to add sliced fresh mushrooms and black olives that have been sautéed in butter and garlic.” —Recipe contributor Jo Gray, Park City, Montana
Cacio e Pepe
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Spaghetti, black pepper, butter, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
Cacio e pepe is the best version of buttered noodles you’ll ever taste. It’s important to use good quality ingredients because there are so few of them. Swap the Parmesan with pecorino Romano for a nuttier, more flavorful dish.
“It sounds like a fancy Italian dish, but cacio e pepe is a simple dinner that’s easy to make.” —Recipe contributor Lindsay D. Mattison
Fettuccine Carbonara
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Bacon, fettuccine, onion, garlic, half-and-half, eggs, Romano cheese, parsley
Level: Intermediate
Bacon, egg and Romano cheese are a match made in sauce heaven. This version of the beloved Roman pasta uses chopped bacon, but you could also use Italian guanciale or pancetta. Either way, you’ll get delicious pork flavor infused in the sauce. Study up on all the wonderful types of bacon and experiment with different flavor profiles.
“When a man at church found out how much my family likes fettuccine, he shared his Italian grandmother’s carbonara recipe with us. I’ve made it my own over the last 25 years. Grated Parmesan cheese works just as well as Romano.” —Recipe contributor Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
Linguine with Herbed Clam Sauce
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Canned clams, onion, butter, parsley, garlic, cornstarch, white wine or chicken broth, basil, linguine, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
Canned clams are one of our favorite staple pantry ingredients, and they’re absolutely divine in this garlicky sauce for linguine because the liquid is packed with briny flavor. Serve with crusty Italian bread to soak up all the good sauce.
“This impressive pasta looks and tastes so much like fancy restaurant fare that you’ll want to serve it to guests. But the recipe is easy enough to prepare just about anytime.” —Recipe contributor Carolee Snyder, Hartford City, Indiana
Best Lasagna
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes + standingMain Ingredients: Lasagna noodles, Italian sausage, ground beef, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, egg, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan
Level: Intermediate
We know calling a lasagna recipe “best” is bold, but we’re confident that this rich, meat-stuffed baked pasta will earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation. We love to serve this hearty lasagna with a simple side salad and buttery garlic bread. Don’t forget to let the lasagna sit for at least 15 minutes before serving.
“Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can’t go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too.” —Recipe contributor Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Beef Bolognese with Linguine
Total Time: 4 hoursMain Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, carrots, celery, tomato paste, garlic, diced tomatoes, beef stock, milk, Parmesan
Level: Intermediate
The king of all meat sauces, bolognese is beefy, slow-cooked perfection. Traditionally (in the Italian city of Bologna), the sauce is served with flat noodles called tagliatelle, but linguine works just as well.
“After much research, tasting and tweaking, I finally came up with this beef bolognese recipe that is based on a dish from an Italian restaurant where I worked. It’s perfect for feeding a house full of guests.” —Recipe contributor Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Spaghetti Pomodoro
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Spaghetti, onion, garlic, plum tomatoes, basil, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
Pomodoro, which means “tomato” in Italian, takes center stage in this simple spaghetti dish that you’ll find on dining room tables all over Italy. If you use canned tomatoes instead of fresh, splurge on cans of San Marzano tomatoes.
“Unlike other popular tomato-based pasta sauces that are richly flavored and loaded with slowly cooked sausage or meatballs (e.g., classic Sunday gravy), pomodoro sauce typically contains no meat and truly lets the flavor of the tomatoes shine, similar to marinara sauce.” —Recipe contributor Lauren Habermehl
Homemade Potato Gnocchi
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Potatoes, egg, flour
Level: Intermediate
Soft, pillowy potato gnocchi are dumplings from Northern Italy that work wonderfully with just about any pasta sauce under the sun, from hearty bolognese to fresh pesto. For this recipe, we like to use Russet potatoes because they’re high in starch and low in water.
“My Italian mother remembers her mother making these dumplings for special occasions. She still has the bowl Grandma mixed the dough in, which will be passed down to me some day.” —Recipe contributor Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Penne alla Vodka
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Penne, garlic, prosciutto, plum tomatoes, vodka, heavy cream
Level: Beginner
Don’t worry: The alcohol cooks off in this dreamy vodka sauce. The Italian-American penne is a staple at Sunday suppers for a reason. For extra protein, add ground Italian sausage or homemade meatballs.
“This easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I invite first-time guests over for dinner. Many friends have asked me to make the recipe again years after they first tried it.” —Recipe contributor Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas
Spaghetti All'Amatriciana
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Guanciale or pancetta, carrots, onion, butter, garlic, rosemary, sage, red wine, can of crushed tomatoes, spaghetti
Level: Intermediate
You’ll find this traditional spaghetti dish, which features a rich pork-studded tomato sauce, all across Rome. If you go with bacon instead of guanciale, you’ll infuse the sauce with a subtle smoky flavor.
“Spaghetti All’Amatriciana is a traditional Italian dish that reminds me of my roots. This amatriciana sauce recipe features guanciale (dried pork cheek). Guanciale can be hard to find, but pancetta or thick-cut bacon are good substitutes.” —Recipe contributor Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah
Meaty Spaghetti Sauce
Total Time: 8 hours, 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Ground beef, Italian sausage, green pepper, onion, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, spaghetti, sugar
Level: Beginner
The slow cooker was practically made for meat sauce. Cooking the sauce on low heat for a long time lets all the meat and vegetables meld together. We found that a 1-to-1 ratio of ground beef to ground sausage achieves just the right amount of richness.
“My homemade spaghetti sauce got rave reviews, but it was so time-consuming to make on the stovetop. My family loves this flavorful slow-cooker version.” —Recipe contributor Arlene Sommers, Redmond, Washington
Sunday Sauce
Total Time: All DayMain Ingredients: Meatballs, sausage, oxtails or bone-in short ribs, pork chops, onion, garlic, tomato paste, red wine, whole peeled tomatoes, carrots, basil, parsley, Parmesan cheese rind
Level: Advanced
Sunday sauce, or gravy, is one of the most iconic, sentimental dishes in Italian-American cuisine. The slow-cooked, meat-filled tomato sauce, which is named after the day of the week families traditionally gathered to cook and eat it, tastes even better when you make the meatballs from scratch.
“Passed down from generation to generation, every family does Sunday gravy a little differently and with a lot of pride. At its core, however, Sunday gravy is a rich, tomato-based sauce cooked slowly with herbs and a combination of assorted pieces of meat, sausages and meatballs.” —Recipe contributor Lauren Habermehl
Slow-Cooker Pasta e Fagioli
Total Time: 8 hoursMain Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, chicken broth, canned diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, carrots, cabbage, celery, garlic, small pasta
Level: Beginner
This rich, nourishing stew with creamy white beans, ground beef and ditalini is a bowl of pure comfort. We’d serve this with just about any type of bread and some grated Parmesan cheese on top.
“This chunky soup is good to the last spoonful. It’s my go-to recipe because it’s so hearty and we all always want more.” —Recipe contributor Penny Novy, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Easy Shrimp Alfredo
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, fettuccine, heavy cream, shrimp, Parmesan, garlic
Level: Beginner
Juicy shrimp gently poach inside of the cream sauce, which is a luscious, savory coating for thick strands of fettuccine. If you like your sauces on the thicker side, start by making a roux with butter and flour in a saucepan, then add the roux to the warm Alfredo sauce.
“Instead of buying a jar of sauce, make it from scratch for this easy shrimp Alfredo recipe. The garlic aroma will call your family to the table.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Vegetable Lasagna
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Red pepper, carrot, onion, plum tomatoes, zucchini, tomato paste, vegetable broth, lasagna noodles, egg, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan
Level: Intermediate
We think this satisfying vegetarian lasagna is just as showstopping as meaty versions, thanks to lots of fresh veggies and, of course, all of the cheese. If you have leftovers, make sure to freeze lasagna the right way so you can enjoy it another time.
“I cooked up this fresh lasagna for vegetarian customers at a local grocery store, where I work part-time. It’s absolutely packed with veggies.” —Recipe contributor Sam Hunsaker, Lawrence, Kansas
Eggplant Zucchini Bolognese
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Penne, eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, onion, garlic, ground beef, tomato puree, brown sugar, Parmesan
Level: Intermediate
This clever, meat-free twist on a classic bolognese sauce is a beautiful way to incorporate summer’s bounty onto your plate. Fragrant fresh basil makes the perfect finish, as does a healthy swirl of extra-virgin olive oil.
“I roast the veggies while the pasta cooks, making this a quick dish. This meal-in-one dish blends rustic comfort with fresh flavors.” —Recipe contributor Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken Sausage
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Potato gnocchi, Italian sausage links, shallots, garlic, white wine or chicken broth, cornstarch, baby spinach, heavy cream, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
These days you can find excellent potato gnocchi at the supermarket, either shelf-stable or frozen. If you don’t have gnocchi on hand, this savory cream sauce is lovely on any other medium-sized pasta.
“Dinner is easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry.” —Recipe contributor Laura Miller, Lake Ann, Michigan
Garlic Spaghetti
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Spaghetti, garlic, parsley, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
Since garlic is the star ingredient in this simple pasta dish, we highly recommend using fresh, not jarred. That way, its nutty, slightly sweet flavor really shines. Pair with an Italian side dish like broccolini, spinach or mushrooms. (Another great pasta to use here would be bucatini.)
“I make this family-favorite garlic spaghetti—or spaghetti aglio e olio—at least a couple of times a month. It’s wonderful with a salad and fresh Italian bread. Add red pepper flakes to give it a bit of heat or finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.” —Recipe contributor Jackie Messina, Chardon, Ohio
Best Spaghetti and Meatballs
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, garlic, tomato paste, tomato sauce, bread cubes, milk, Parmesan, spaghetti
Level: Intermediate
Every home cook should have a basic spaghetti and meatball recipe in their repertoire, and this contest-winning version is the one to beat. While making meatballs and tomato sauce from scratch takes a little extra time, the payoff is worth it. Serve with a crunchy, zesty chopped salad and fluffy breadsticks.
“One evening we had unexpected company. Since I had some of these meatballs left over in the freezer, I warmed them up as appetizers. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for entertaining.” —Recipe contributor Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona
Homemade Meatless Spaghetti Sauce
Total Time: 3 hours, 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Onions, tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste, brown sugar
Level: Beginner
This satisfying, slow-cooked spaghetti sauce proves that tomatoes can be the star of the show. If you’re a meat lover, you could also add ground beef or Italian sausage for a little more heft. Serve with lots of freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino Romano cheese.
“When my tomatoes ripen, the first things I make are BLTs and this homemade spaghetti sauce.” —Recipe contributor Sondra Bergy, Lowell, Michigan
Easy Ziti Bake
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Ziti, ground beef, spaghetti sauce, eggs, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan
Level: Intermediate
If you want to be the most popular person at the potluck, bring this creamy, beefy baked pasta. Use your favorite jarred pasta sauce and that heavenly trio of ricotta, mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan. (By the way, it’s the perfect make-ahead freezer meal.)
“I enjoy making this dish for family and friends. It’s easy to prepare, and I like to get creative with the sauce. For example, sometimes I might add my home-canned tomatoes, mushrooms or vegetables.” —Recipe Contributor Elaine Anderson, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Mushroom Pasta Carbonara
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Mostaccioli, bacon, mushrooms, half-and-half, butter, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
This untraditional carbonara stars earthy mushrooms, smoky bacon and a rich cream sauce. This recipe doesn’t call for eggs like the traditional version does, but it still binds together wonderfully.
“I absolutely love this creamy and cheesy mushroom carbonara. I serve it with a side salad and rolls to make a complete meal.” —Recipe contributor Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Italian Shrimp and Pasta
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, shrimp, angel hair
Level: Beginner
Packed with succulent shrimp and thin strands of angel hair pasta, this simple dish is super customizable; adapt it to whatever protein you have on hand. For some heat, we like to add a few shakes of red pepper flakes to the pan while the garlic is sauteeing in oil.
“We like pasta with Italian tomato sauces, and this recipe is one we make often. It’s heavy on the shrimp and light on the pasta, and that’s the way we like it. We can remember when shrimp was unheard of in our budget, so I guess we’re making up for it now!” —Recipe contributor Frank Fader, Payson, Arizona
Creamy Lemon Pasta Primavera
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Fettuccine, frozen peas, asparagus, shallots, leek, garlic, heavy cream, lemon, arugula, Parmesan, chives
Level: Beginner
Light and comforting all at once, this lemony, creamy pasta with fresh asparagus is springtime in a bowl. Round out the meal with a chicken breast or baked salmon.
“This pasta primavera is loaded with pretty green peas and asparagus tossed in a light lemon cream sauce. It’s a dish you’ll find yourself craving even when it’s not spring! You can also cut the asparagus into bite-sized pieces. If you do, double the saute time.” —Recipe contributor Grace Vallo, Salem, New Hampshire
Homemade Ravioli
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Flour, eggs, crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, Parmesan, tomato paste, basil, parsley, oregano, garlic, ricotta, mozzarella, egg
Level: Advanced
Don’t be intimidated! Once you master handmade ricotta-stuffed ravioli, you’ll be unstoppable in the kitchen. This recipe breaks down each step, from kneading the dough to boiling the ravioli.
“I love to bake and cook—especially Italian dishes. In fact, my idea of a perfect day consists of cooking my family’s favorite foods then watching them dig in!” —Recipe contributor Lori Daniels, Hartland, Michigan
Shrimp Scampi
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Linguine, shrimp, garlic, lemon, butter, white wine, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
Shrimp scampi is one of those pasta dishes that feels like a special occasion, but it comes together so quickly and with just a handful of ingredients. Garlicky, bright and rich, this shrimp-packed linguine is so satisfying that you’ll want to serve it with a simple vegetable side dish that can play a supporting role, like baked broccolini or kale.
“I could eat seafood several times a week, but my husband’s not as big of a fan. One week, I found some beautiful big shrimp on sale and made this shrimp scampi. My husband tried it, and now we have this pasta in our regular dinner menu rotation! It goes together quickly, so I recommend prepping the ingredients before cooking the shrimp and sauce.” —Recipe contributor Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Mostaccioli
Total Time: 1 hourMain Ingredients: Mostaccioli, Italian sausage, spaghetti sauce, egg, ricotta, mozzarella, Romano cheese
Level: Beginner
For this robust, cheesy mostaccioli, we like to use the very best mozzarella because it’s so important to the dish. Sweet or hot Italian sausage adds a wonderful herbaceous heft, but you could easily swap in sauteed veggies for a Meatless Monday dinner. Feel free to use penne here or really any medium-sized pasta shape you have on hand.
“Even though we’re not Italian, this rich, cheesy pasta dish is a family tradition for holidays and other special occasions. It tastes just like lasagna without the layering work.” —Recipe contributor Nancy Mundhenke, Kinsley, Kansas
Penne with Pesto
Total Time: 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Penne, pesto, heavy cream, tomatoes, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
In the summer, we love using fresh, fragrant basil or even a blend of herbs and greens for our pesto sauce. There are also great store-bought pestos on the market these days too. Go all in on summer produce and serve this effortless pasta with fresh bruschetta.
“Make this simple pasta dish with your favorite store-bought pesto or your own homemade pesto. Halved grape tomatoes add color and flavor, but they could be omitted or substituted with chopped roasted red peppers or chopped artichokes.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cheese-Stuffed Shells
Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Italian sausage, onion, frozen spinach, cream cheese, egg, mozzarella, cheddar, cottage cheese, Parmesan, tomato sauce, garlic, pasta shells
Level: Intermediate
With five different types of cheese, sausage and jazzed-up tomato sauce, these impressive stuffed shells belong in the baked pasta hall of fame. In fact, there are so many great stuffed shell recipes, we could make a different one every day of the month and never get sick of it.
“When I was living in California, I tasted this rich cheesy pasta dish at a neighborhood Italian restaurant. I got the recipe and made a few changes to it in my own kitchen. I’m happy to share it with you.” —Recipe contributor Lori Mecca, Grants Pass, Oregon
Asparagus 'n' Shrimp with Angel Hair
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Angel hair, shrimp, asparagus, mushrooms, tomato, garlic, white wine or chicken broth, Parmesan, lemon
Level: Beginner
This light, bright and herby angel hair pasta is one of our favorite easy shrimp recipes to whip up for company or a weeknight dinner. You can use any type of shrimp from the supermarket—even precooked shrimp in a pinch.
“We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It is easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two.” —Recipe contributor Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
Cheese Manicotti
Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, marinara sauce, manicotti
Level: Beginner
We never tire of cheesy, marinara-smothered manicotti recipes, and this staple version is one of the best. It’s so good, in fact, we recommend doubling the recipe and popping one tray in the freezer for later.
“Cheese manicotti was the first meal I cooked for my husband, and all these years later, he still enjoys it!” —Recipe contributor Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Slow-Cooker Short Rib Ragu over Pappardelle
Total Time: 7 hours, 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Boneless beef short ribs, onion, sliced mushrooms, carrots, tomato paste, red wine, garlic, diced tomatoes, pappardelle, Parmesan
Level: Intermediate
This robust, aromatic short rib ragu is the perfect sauce for coating wide, flat pappardelle noodles, but it’s also lovely over gnocchi or even silky polenta. If you’d like to add a bit of creamy decadence to the meal, top each plate with a spoonful of burrata cheese.
“An irresistible sauce gives the beef in this short rib ragu another dimension of flavor. Nearly any starchy side, such as potatoes or polenta, will work in place of the pasta. Short ribs are my crowd-pleaser weekend meal for all occasions.” —Recipe contributor Missy Raho, Morristown, New Jersey
Shrimp Piccata
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Angel hair, shallots, garlic, shrimp, chicken broth, white wine, lemon, capers
Level: Beginner
For the punchy piccata sauce, opt for any inexpensive, dry and unoaked white wines (ideally Italian!). You can also prepare a flavorful sauce without wine by using lemon juice or a little more chicken broth.
“I serve this easy shrimp piccata recipe with crusty French bread and asparagus.” —Recipe contributor Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Angel Hair Pasta with Sausage & Spinach
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Italian sausage, garlic, onion, olive oil, chicken broth, angel hair, spinach, flour, heavy cream
Level: Beginner
A comforting bowl of delicate angel hair with sausage and spinach is our idea of heaven—served alongside crusty garlic bread to soak up all the cream sauce, of course. If you can’t get enough cheese, finish the dish with lots of freshly grated Parmesan.
“You won’t miss the marinara sauce once you taste this pasta dish flavored with chicken broth and Italian sausage. The sauce simmers away on its own, without much work on your part. My husband likes it so much that I make it twice a week.” —Recipe contributor Daphine Smith, Baytown, Texas
Sugo
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Tomato sauce, garlic, basil
Level: Beginner
Every Italian home cook has their own tomato-based sugo recipe, but we like to think this one would please just about everyone. Adjust the thickness and sweetness to your taste by playing with cook time. The longer it cooks, the thicker and more fragrant it gets.
“Pastas, meat dishes and pizza all require a generous helping of a cooked, aromatic tomato sauce. In Italy, this flavor-infused stovetop tomato sauce is called sugo.” —Recipe contributor Anna Francese Gass
Originally Published: June 26, 2017
