25 Pasta Side Dishes Beyond Pasta Salad

Baked Mac and Cheese

Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson, Dover, Delaware

Creamy Roasted Garlic & Spinach Orzo

This side dish brings instant comfort. I first made it without spinach so my husband and daughter would like it. The next time, I added spinach for the extra health benefits. They still devoured it, so in my book that's a win-win. —Dawn Moore, Warren, Pennsylvania

Festive Tortellini Toss

Fall is my favorite season and I love the foods of autumn, such as mushrooms, squash, apples and walnuts. I combined these all with pasta to make a delicious side dish perfect for sharing at a potluck; the recipe can easily be doubled and can be served either warm or at room temperature. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Creamy Skillet Noodles with Peas

I’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. —Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania

Roasted Veggie Orzo

“My sister inspired this recipe. I added a few more spices, but the concept is hers. It's easy to vary, is a great way to add veggies to your diet and the olive oil is heart healthy.”Jackie Termont - Richmond, Virginia

Rigatoni Chard Toss

I had to get my firefighter husband to eat more fruits and veggies to lower his cholesterol and triglycerides. Fresh chard and tomatoes add a lot of fiber and vitamins to our diets, but we love this recipe for the flavor. While he would never admit to eating "health food" around the firehouse, this dish is one of many that made his trips to the doctor much more pleasant! —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California

Kale Pesto Pasta

My bountiful garden and vegetarian daughter both inspired me to create this nutritious, calcium-rich kale pesto pasta. No one would ever guess that this hearty dish is brimming with produce and is prepared in about 30 minutes. —Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois

Broccoli-Pasta Side Dish

I love to fix new recipes for my husband, Robert, and our children. With garlic and cheese, this broccoli pasta is a tasty way to get kids to eat their veggies. —Judi Lacourse, Mesa, Arizona

Amish Buttered Noodles

These are the best buttered noodles ever! They are easy to make and kid-friendly, and they pair nicely with lots of main dishes. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas

Summer Zucchini Pasta

I’m always experimenting when my garden is cranking out zucchini and summer squash. This simple and healthy pasta dish is one of my latest wins. It’s meatless, but you can add shredded chicken or grilled salmon for a heartier dish. —Beth Berlin, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado Sauce

Heart-healthy avocado makes this pasta dish feel indulgent without being overly rich. The flavorful sauce is so luscious, you’ll think there is cream hiding in there. It’s guilt-free and dairy-free, but with a texture and consistency that’s similar to traditional cream-based sauces. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Parmesan Snap Pea Pasta

My family loves pasta! This simple dish is always a hit, especially during the spring when sugar snap peas are the sweetest. To keep us from getting in a rut, I change up the flavors. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Tortellini Bake

One year I had so much summer squash, I was desperate for different ways to prepare it. That's when I came up with this recipe. Serve it as a side dish or on its own as a light meal. —Donald Roberts, Amherst, New Hampshire

Cauliflower Gnocchi

I came up with this cauliflower gnocchi recipe after trying Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi. This dish reminds me of cauliflower gratin, especially if you add Parmesan—but the gnocchi are also good on their own.—Ben Rogojan, Seattle, Washington

Orzo with Caramelized Butternut Squash and Bacon

The year my garden produced a bumper crop of butternut squash, I made so many new dishes trying to use up my bounty! This is a tasty, easy side with pretty colors, and it makes plenty to fill your hungry family. To make it into a main dish, add shrimp or shredded chicken. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

Ranch Pasta

I came up with this ranch pasta after making recipes for a bridal shower. It was party day and I needed to take some shortcuts! Everyone loves the simple Parmesan ranch white sauce, and it’s easy to throw in veggies you have on hand. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California

Cheddar Spirals

Our kids always loved this cheesy pasta and would sample a spoonful right from the slow cooker when they walked by. Adding cocktail sausages, sliced Polish sausage or cubed ham makes it a hearty dinner. —Heidi Ferkovich, Park Falls, Wisconsin

Noodle Kugel

I made this dish for a party with our friends. It was a big hit! —Lauren Kargen, Buffalo, New York

Dijon Veggies with Couscous

Coated in a tangy Dijon sauce, these tasty veggies and fluffy couscous make for a delightful side. —Juliana Dumitru, Fairview Park, Ohio

Pasta with Asparagus

Looking for a quick and delicious meal? Our 20-minute pasta with asparagus is the perfect combination of earthy crunch and zesty spice. Try it today!

Asian Spaghetti

This Asian spaghetti recipe actually uses angel-hair pasta, but no matter what you call it, it's quick, easy and tasty. The base recipe lends itself to improvisation, so feel free to use whatever vegetables or added sauces you like.

Lemon Parmesan Orzo

A splash of lemon and a shower of chopped parsley make this orzo one of my family's most requested springtime sides. It's fantastic with chicken, pork and fish, or you can eat it on its own as a light lunch. —Leslie Palmer, Swampscott, Massachusetts

Lemon Couscous with Broccoli

I combined two recipes to create this side with broccoli and pasta. The splash of lemon adds nice flavor. Instead of toasted almonds, you could also sprinkle servings with grated Parmesan cheese. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado

German Noodle Bake

This is a recipe I serve each year for my holiday open house because everyone looks for it. Store-bought noodles can be substituted, but I prefer homemade noodles...and so does everyone else. —Kathleen Meineke, Cologne, New Jersey

Lemon Mushroom Orzo

Sometimes I serve this side dish chilled and other times we enjoy it hot. It has a pleasant tinge of lemon and a nice crunch from pecans. —Shelly Nelson, Akeley, Minnesota

Pasta Side Dishes FAQ

How do you know when pasta is done cooking?

Use the suggested cooking time from the package directions as a guide, not an absolute. The best way to know if pasta is properly cooked is to fish a noodle out of the pot a few minutes before the suggested time for al dente and taste it. If it is hard or you see a ring of white inside the noodle, it needs another minute or two to finish cooking through. If it’s soft with some chew, then it’s done.

How much pasta do you need per person as a side dish?

It can be tricky to know how much pasta to make per person for a main course, let alone as a side dish. The recommended serving size of dry pasta per person is 2 ounces, or about 1 cup cooked, but you won’t need the full amount for a pasta side dish recipe. The exact amount that works as a side dish will depend on what you are adding and what you are serving it with, but most recipes scale it back to about 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 ounces per person. Err on the side of more if you aren’t sure, and enjoy the leftovers.

How long does pasta last in the refrigerator?

You can store leftover pasta in a sealed container or resealable bag in the refrigerator for three to four days. Depending on the recipe, serve the leftovers cold right out of the fridge or try one of the various methods to reheat pasta so it tastes just as good as on the first day.