50 Best Pasta Recipes
Pasta! With so many types of pasta and so many ways to prepare it, this versatile kitchen staple is a go-to for family dinners. Below you’ll find my best pasta recipes, ready to inspire delicious meals on your table.
My family LOVES pasta. Which is why I’ve shared an abundance of pasta recipes on Kristine’s Kitchen over the years. Below you’ll find all of my favorites, including cheesy pasta bakes, zesty pasta salads, speedy one pot pastas, chicken pasta recipes and more. Whether you’re looking for a make ahead pasta recipe for a holiday meal or a quick weeknight dinner idea, I’ve got you covered with this collection of incredible pasta recipes!
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Pasta Bake Recipes
These pasta bakes are some of my favorite pasta recipes. They’re incredibly comforting, great for feeding a crowd and make-ahead friendly. All you’ll need to round out the meal are a Green Salad and some crispy Garlic Bread.
Exceptionally cheesy and creamy, this ooey gooey mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Serve it with Roasted Broccoli or Brussels Sprouts and dinner is done.
Nothing says good old fashioned home cooking like homemade lasagna, and this recipe is as easy as it gets. With layers of noodles, meat sauce and cheese, this recipe is perfect for a holiday meal or Sunday dinner.
This classic baked ziti recipe features sausage, ricotta and mozzarella cheese, baked in the oven until hot, bubbly and golden brown. If you can’t find ziti pasta, penne is a great substitute.
Hot and bubbly from the oven, these manicotti are a cheese lover’s dream! Large pasta tubes are stuffed with an herby three cheese filling, topped with marinara sauce and more cheese and then baked.
Baked spaghetti is your favorite spaghetti dinner, taken to the next level! With ground beef, sauce and cheese, this simple recipe is quick to prep and perfect for feeding a family.
This no fuss hamburger casserole is a tempting combination of pasta, cheese, veggies and tomato sauce. It’s one of my favorite ground beef recipes.
Adding broccoli to macaroni and cheese makes it a meal on its own, especially if you stir in some shredded chicken before baking.
You’ll feel like you’re winning the dinner game with this baked rigatoni recipe. It’s easy to put together and so flavorful, whether you make it with Italian sausage or ground beef.
My mom made this pasta bake for us often when I was growing up, and it’s still a favorite of mine to this day. Use elbow macaroni or any short pasta shape that you have in your pantry in this easy recipe.
Pasta Salad Recipes
Whether you’re attending a potluck, hosting a summer BBQ or just searching for a side dish to go with burgers for dinner, these pasta salad recipes fit the bill.
You’ll love this classic side dish! This macaroni salad with egg, sweet pickles and a creamy dressing is perfect for serving with Grilled Chicken, Pulled Pork and more.
Meet my go-to summer side dish: Italian Pasta Salad! This zesty pasta salad is loaded with rotini pasta, fresh veggies, olives and cheese, all tossed in a delicious Italian dressing.
This Mediterranean-inspired orzo pasta salad is layered with fresh and flavorful ingredients. Think crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, briny olives and salty feta cheese.
Colorful and bursting with flavor, you’ll fall in love with this pesto pasta salad! Capitalize on fresh basil season by making homemade pesto, or use store-bought to save time.
There’s no skimping on flavor with this Greek pasta salad recipe. It’s a truly delish side dish that will have everyone going back for seconds.
All of your favorite southwestern ingredients are here, from black beans and corn to green onions and bell peppers, all coated in a deliciously spicy chili-lime dressing. I love this pasta salad with bowtie pasta, but I’m sure it would be just as delicious with your favorite pasta shape.
Chicken Pasta Recipes
Chicken is the perfect lean protein to amp up your pasta dinner! These chicken pasta recipes include classic dishes, one pot meals and cozy chicken pasta bakes.
There’s so much to love about this chicken Florentine pasta bake: spinach, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and cheese nestled under a crispy, cheesy breadcrumb topping. Yum!
It’s creamy, it’s spicy and it’s made in one pot – this Cajun chicken pasta is destined to be a regular in your dinner rotation.
This chicken tetrazzini is creamy, comforting and perfect for dinner tonight! Pasta, chicken and mushrooms are baked in a buttery, creamy sauce until hot and bubbly.
Chicken parm may sound fancy, but this recipe is truly a weeknight wonder. Tender, juicy chicken breasts are enveloped in a seasoned breadcrumb coating, topped with marinara sauce and cheese and baked to perfection.
With ranch seasonings, a creamy sauce, broccoli and chicken, flavor abounds in this mouthwatering casserole. Salty bacon seals the deal.
Fresh and bright, this chicken pasta is a quick and easy one pot meal with sun-dried tomatoes, lemon, garlic and a touch of cream.
Pasta Soup Recipes
I love adding pasta to soups because it makes them extra cozy and satisfying. These pasta soup recipes are ideal when you need kid-friendly dinner ideas, too!
Translating to “pasta and beans,” this pasta e fagioli is a hearty vegetarian soup made with pasta, beans and vegetables in a thick, flavorful broth. Serve it with crusty bread for dunking.
Both nutritious and delicious, this cozy lasagna soup boasts bits of lasagna noodles, ground turkey and veggies. Serve it with a dollop of ricotta cheese or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
This tortellini soup is filled with cheese tortellini and vegetables in a flavorful broth. Fresh kale becomes soft and tender when stirred into the hot soup.
Cozy and warming, this Italian wedding soup is a hearty broth-based soup filled with tender meatballs, vegetables and tiny acini de pepe pasta.
This minestrone is my go-to when I’m craving a meal that’s warm, nourishing and loaded with nutritious veggies. Your kitchen will smell amazing as it simmers on the stove.
One Pot Pastas
Nothing beats the ease of a one pot pasta recipe! With quick preparation times and intensely satisfying results, these quick pasta recipes are sure to be a win on your dinner table.
This 30 minute recipe is a delicious mash up of two favorite meals: hearty Vegetarian Chili and gooey Mac and Cheese. It’s a cheesy, hearty and healthy meal that the whole family will love!
Made in one pot with only 5 ingredients, this flavorful one pot sausage pasta will have everyone eager to come to the dinner table.
When you’re craving baked ziti but short on time, this one pot ziti pasta recipe is a fantastic option. The pasta soaks up so much flavor as it cooks in the pan with the meat sauce.
Ground beef and macaroni pasta simmer together in pasta sauce in this simple pasta dinner recipe. Slice up a loaf of French Bread and make a quick salad and dinner is served!
Not sure what to make for dinner? Give this goulash a try! It’s hearty no nonsense comfort food at its best.
Pesto Pasta
Whether you’re looking for a classic Basil Pesto pasta recipe or a more unique twist with broccoli, spinach or kale, I’ve got you covered with these easy pesto pasta recipes!
Garlicky, nutty and cheesy, this vibrant pesto pasta is a cinch to make. Al dente pasta is tossed with creamy basil pesto and topped with toasty pine nuts and rich, nutty Parmesan.
This broccoli pesto pasta has so much to offer! It’s nut-free, it stars the nutritional powerhouse broccoli and it takes just 30 minutes to make!
Kale plays a starring role in this simple pasta recipe. A flavor-packed, creamy kale pesto sauce coats whole wheat linguine pasta for a satisfying and wholesome meal.
This delicious spin off of the usual basil pesto features a spinach and walnut pesto sauce tossed with chicken, rotini pasta, green beans and tomatoes. It’s fresh, it’s colorful, it’s delicious!
Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
You won’t miss the meat with these satisfying, full-flavored vegetarian pastas. From creamy to cheesy and veggie-filled, these vegetarian meals will make delicious additions to your recipe rotation.
This hearty vegetable lasagna is one of my most-loved pasta recipes. It’s packed with healthy veggies, including mushrooms, onions, zucchini and spinach. This meatless lasagna is the perfect vegetarian main dish when you’re craving cheesy, hearty comfort food!
I’ve been making this stuffed shells recipe for years, and it never disappoints. With four cheeses and spinach, they’re a stellar main course.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Cozy fall flavors abound in this stupendous twist on traditional mac and cheese. Pureed butternut squash makes this pasta dish exceptionally creamy, while fresh sage and a pinch of nutmeg add depth of flavor.
These lasagna roll ups are the perfect way to enjoy the flavors of a classic lasagna without all of the layering. These Garlic Knots make a lovely side dish.
Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells
Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a creamy butternut squash filling and drizzled with brown butter alfredo sauce make for an elegant, restaurant-quality meal.
Love Caprese Salad? You’ll swoon over this caprese pasta! A light tomato sauce coats your pasta shape of choice, and fresh mozzarella and basil add tons of flavor!
Layers of lasagna noodles, roasted butternut squash and creamy cheese make this butternut squash lasagna something special. Serve it with these Dinner Rolls for a meal everyone will love.
Instant Pot Pastas
I love cooking pasta in the Instant Pot because the noodles soak up so much flavor as they cook. These Instant Pot recipes are some of my most-loved favorites for easy dinners.
This Instant Pot spaghetti is the easiest way to cook spaghetti with meat sauce. It’s perfect for when everyone’s hungry and you need to get dinner on the table fast.
Here’s another one pot Instant Pot wonder: Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage. Penne pasta, Italian sausage, veggies and sauce all cook together in your pressure cooker.
This is the best way to make lasagna on a weeknight! The lasagna cooks right in the Instant Pot inner pot so no springform pan or special pan is needed.
With ground beef, pasta shells and taco seasonings, this cheesy pasta is a favorite dinner idea. Serve it topped with a dollop of sour cream to balance the spicy flavors.
This indulgent Instant Pot mac and cheese is creamy, ultra cheesy and ready in just 30 minutes! It’s the best comfort food, perfect for serving as an easy dinner or side dish.
Crockpot Pasta Recipes
When set it and forget it is your goal, these crockpot pasta recipes are here to save the day. You’ll be so glad to have dinner ready to serve from the slow cooker when the evening rolls around!
This crockpot lasagna is possibly the easiest lasagna you will ever make! You don’t need to boil the lasagna noodles before layering the ingredients in your crock pot.
Crockpot Chicken and Mushrooms
This delicious slow cooker recipe is made with chicken thighs, mushrooms and orzo pasta. It’s one of our favorite crock pot recipes for an easy weeknight dinner!
With just 10 minutes of active prep time, this taco pasta recipe couldn’t be easier to make! It’s been one of my most popular pasta recipes for years – give it a try and it might become part of your regular recipe rotation, too.
Don’t Miss these Pasta Sauce Recipes
If you’re looking for an everyday pasta sauce, this marinara sauce is it. It delivers rich tomato flavor and is so easy to make using pantry ingredients.
If it’s a meat sauce recipe that you’re after, you’ll love this homemade spaghetti sauce. Make it with ground beef or Italian sausage and serve it over your favorite pasta shapes. It’s thick, hearty and oh so flavorful!
50 Best Pasta Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped sweet yellow onion
- 1 pound ground beef, or Italian sausage
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 48 ounces marinara sauce, 2 jars (24 ounces each), or 6 cups of homemade sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, about 1 ½ cups
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- chopped fresh parsley, optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the rigatoni and cook for the minimum cook time listed on the package. Then, drain (don't rinse) and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven (or large skillet) over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef, and cook, crumbling, until beef is browned. Drain off excess grease as needed. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning and black pepper to the skillet and stir. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat to low. Cook at a low simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan. Then gently stir in the cooked rigatoni. Transfer to the greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top of the pasta, followed by the remaining ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Sprinkle with the dried oregano.
- Cover the baking dish with a piece of foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray on the underside (to prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil).
- Bake, covered with foil, for 25 minutes. Then uncover and continue baking for 5-10 more minutes, until the rigatoni is hot and bubbly around the edges and lightly browned on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- To Bake Later: You can assemble the baked rigatoni up to one day ahead of time, cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to take the chill off and then add 15-20 minutes to the covered bake time.
- To Freeze: You can freeze the baked rigatoni for up to 3 months before baking. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and freeze in an oven-safe dish. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking and bake according to the directions above for baking a chilled casserole.
