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Pasta is the best use of carbs! I’ve rounded up 30 of my favorite recipes that are sure to be a hit with your family! Whether you’re wanting something cheesy, saucy, meaty, or something in between, there’s a recipe for every craving! This pasta recipe roundup is definitely one to come back to time and time again.

I’m drooling just looking at all of these pasta recipes. They make the perfect hearty meal! To start you off, this quick and easy Instant Pot spaghetti is always a hit, as well as my reader-favorite Olive Garden chicken with pasta!

A collage of 6 photos of pasta. Pasta recipe roundup is written in the middle.

30 Must-Make Pasta Recipes

If you’re wanting a dinner that everyone loves and that easily feeds a crowd, pasta is the way to go. (Is it just me, or does anyone else make enough spaghetti to feed an army?) I have more pasta recipes on the blog than I can count. Somehow I managed to narrow it down to 30 recipes that you need to add to your dinner lineup right now. There are all kinds of pasta featured here, as well as toppings and sauces! Slow cooker, Instant Pot, casseroles, they are all here! I’ve added a handful of pasta salad recipes as well so you’re potluck-ready.

Pasta really is the best. It’s always my go-to cheat meal. Sauced up, loaded with veggies, topped with cheese, hot, cold – I can’t get enough! Without further ado, here is my list of 30 pasta recipes that you’re going to absolutely LOVE! I’ve thrown in a few recipes for gnocchi as well as tips and tricks for perfecting your pasta! Get a load of this goodness…

Perfecting Your Pasta

Keep in mind that each of these recipes in this pasta recipe roundup can easily be customized! Switch out for your favorite kind of pasta or sauce. Anything goes when it comes to pasta!

  • Start With the Pasta: The best pasta dishes always start with tender, al dente noodles! Looking to try something new? See my guide on making the perfect tagliatelle pasta here.
  • Make it Low-Carb: Now, I know what you’re thinking. The year just started and you’re trying to stick to your New Year’s resolution of eating healthier. You can make these recipes healthier by opting for zucchini noodles or protein-packed chickpea noodles!
  • Swap the Sauce: Feel free to swap out the sauce in these recipes for your favorite kind! I’m always an advocate for making pasta sauce from scratch. It just tastes better! Need some inspo? My homemade alfredo sauce is one of the most popular recipes on the blog! It’s SO delicious and super easy to make. This Bolognese sauce, lobster ravioli sauce, and basil pesto sauce are a few more great options. You also can’t go wrong with meaty, homemade spaghetti sauce!
  • Serve With: Now that you have entrée worked out, here are some tasty sides! Breadsticks are always a must. Try my copycat Olive Garden breadstick recipe here! I also have a great copycat recipe for their salad and Italian dressing.

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken With Pasta

3.93 from 67 votes
This Olive Garden crockpot chicken is to die for! The juicy and tender chicken cooked with some pasta is insanely delicious! Plus, it's super easy which is a total win-win!
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Baked Chicken Spaghetti

4.72 from 7 votes
Baked chicken spaghetti is an easy dinner casserole. Tender pieces of chicken tossed with tender noodles and a creamy tomato sauce.
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Creamy Bacon Carbonara

5 from 7 votes
Creamy Bacon Carbonara is a classic Italian creamy pasta. Bacon, mushrooms, and onions are cooked together and tossed in a cheesy, rich egg yolk sauce for an easy 30 minute meal! A quick and easy dinner that is made in minutes!
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Slow Cooker Ragu

This Slow Cooker Ragu recipe is an easy to make comfort food that your whole family will love! Not to mention it makes a LOT and is freezer-friendly!
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Baked Chicken Alfredo Pasta

4.34 from 3 votes
This baked chicken alfredo pasta is classic and insanely delicious. Packed with Italian seasoning, shredded chicken, and penne pasta, this entree will become a family favorite! 
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Baked Rigatoni

4.50 from 6 votes
Baked Rigatoni is full of zesty meat, tender noodles and lots of cheese! Super simple and incredibly delicious, this is the ultimate comfort food!
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10-Minute Pesto Pasta

10 minute pesto pasta is made with fresh basil, parmesan, pine nuts, and olive oil.  It brings incredible flavor to your pasta dish and is ready in no time at all! 
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California Spaghetti Salad

4.93 from 13 votes
California Spaghetti Salad is a delicious pasta salad filled with fresh veggies and covered in a zesty Italian dressing.  With all those flavors and colors making one beautiful and tasty side dish, there is no doubt this will be the hit of your next gathering!
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Classic Baked Spaghetti

5 from 1 vote
Classic Baked Spaghetti is the delicious casserole version of the traditional pasta and meat sauce. With multiple layers of cheesy buttered noodles, melted mozzarella cheese, and onion beef sauce you'll want to make this a new family favorite.
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Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

4.90 from 46 votes
Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is pretty much a one pan wonder you will want to cook over and over again!  Perfect for a busy night, this is a hearty comforting dish that will truly satisfy.
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Penne alla Vodka

4.67 from 3 votes
Penne alla Vodka is creamy, full of flavor and absolutely divine! This simple yet elegant dish is exploding with a creamy rich tomato sauce, and tender pasta. Perfect dinner anytime of the week!
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AMAZING Bolognese Gnocchi

Bolognese Gnocchi is everything that you would hope for in an amazing Italian dish! Flavorful, bold, and full of delightful texture, this tried and true recipe is something that will definitely get you a "WOW!" from your family and friends!
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Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e Pepe is a quick cheesy dish that's sure to hit the spot. This is a comfort food that's easy and insanely delicious!
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Bucatini all’Amatriciana

This classic bucatini all'Amatriciana is packed to the brim with flavor from spices and herbs! If you are looking for a recipe to impress your guests, then look no more. This is the one! 
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Shrimp Pasta Salad

4.50 from 2 votes
This Shrimp Pasta Salad is going to become your new go-to for summer picnics and potlucks. With tender bits of shrimp, fresh veggies, and the fact that it is so easy to put together and take on the go, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite recipes of the season!
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Spinach Artichoke Pasta

3 from 1 vote
Spinach artichoke pasta is the perfect marriage of hearty and fresh! These ingredients complement each other and blend together so seamlessly that you will be asking for seconds in no time! 
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Spicy Chicken Rigatoni

5 from 2 votes
The flavor of the sauce combined with alfredo and marinara was divine! The family loved it. This is definitely a keeper!
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One-Pot Chicken and Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo

5 from 2 votes
Chicken and Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo is an easy weeknight or weekend meal made even faster if you have leftover chicken. One-pot means keeping this simple while everything is simmered together.
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Sausage Pumpkin Pasta

3 from 1 vote
This sausage pasta recipe with pumpkin sauce is an easy dish to make — it takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. 
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Tuscan Pasta Salad

4.67 from 18 votes
Tuscan Pasta Salad is an easy pasta salad with sun dried tomatoes, peppers spinach, and olives tossed in a tangy dressing. This pasta salad is perfect for your next potluck!
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Baked Ravioli

Baked Ravioli

5 from 5 votes
This baked ravioli is a knockout dinner that is sure to be loved by all! It's smothered in melty mozzarella, parmesan, and a tasty meat sauce!
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Brown Butter Garlic Fried Gnocchi

5 from 15 votes
Brown Butter Garlic Fried Gnocchi are tender morsels tossed in a buttery herb sauce you are going to love! Super easy and quick, this is a perfect dish for busy nights or unexpected guests!
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Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad

A simple chicken pasta salad with a delicious lemon herb dressing!
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Swedish Meatball Pasta

4.80 from 5 votes
Swedish Meatball Pasta combines flavorful homemade pork and beef Swedish meatballs with a heavenly cream sauce and perfectly cooked pasta.
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10 Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti

4.79 from 19 votes
For those nights when you need something fast and easy turn to 10 minute Instant Pot Spaghetti. Superbly seasoned beef and tender noodles all cook together in a delectable sauce and is ready in no time.
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Chicken Scampi

Crispy breaded chicken, angel hair pasta, and an amazing lemon garlic butter sauce combine to make this knockout chicken scampi. It's light, flavorful, and ready in less than 30 minutes!
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Pesto Alfredo Chicken Casserole

5 from 2 votes
My favorite homemade garlic alfredo sauce is combined with pesto giving this casserole amazing flavor!  It is creamy and delicious and sure to be a hit at the dinner table!
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The BEST Skillet Lasagna

4.70 from 10 votes
Skillet lasagna is the absolute best comfort food! It is so full of flavor that creates that authentic Italian taste. It is quick and easy and a family favorite that you MUST try!
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Lemon Garlic Cream Fettuccini

4.34 from 3 votes
Delicious and creamy fettuccini with added lemon and garlic for the perfect twist.
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Pesto Pasta Salad

5 from 1 vote
This pesto pasta salad is loaded up with fresh mozzarella, and juicy tomatoes, coated with an easy-to-make homemade pesto sauce made with fresh basil and garlic. It's so fresh and delicious! 
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16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes!
(Plus weekly recipe updates)

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you for all these great recipes! Pasta is my favorite food in the world! I’m going to try each & every one! Great website!