10+ Pasta Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds Easily

Pasta is a classic dish enjoyed by many around the world. It’s simple to make and can be paired with a variety of sauces and ingredients.

Whether you prefer something quick or more elaborate, pasta recipes offer plenty of options.

You can easily find a pasta recipe that fits your schedule and flavor preferences. From creamy sauces to fresh vegetable mixes, pasta can be both comforting and exciting.

Cooking pasta at home lets you customize every meal to your liking.

1) Homemade Fresh Pasta with Flour, Eggs, Olive Oil, and Salt

Making fresh pasta at home is easier than you might think. You only need four simple ingredients: flour, eggs, olive oil, and salt.

These basics come together to form a dough that you can roll and shape however you like. Start by mixing the flour and salt in a bowl.

Create a well in the center and add your beaten eggs and olive oil. Mix everything together until a stiff dough forms.

Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes. This helps develop the gluten, making your pasta smooth and elastic.

Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Make a well in the center.
3. Add beaten eggs and olive oil.
4. Mix to form a dough.
5. Knead dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
6. Cover dough and rest for 30 minutes.
7. Roll out dough and cut as desired.

2) Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

This creamy tomato and spinach pasta is simple and quick to make. You can have it ready in less than 30 minutes.

The sauce is rich but doesn’t use heavy cream. It gets creamy texture from blending tomatoes with some cheese or plant-based milk.

Fresh spinach adds color and nutrients. You can make this dish in one pan.

Ingredients

• Pasta (8 oz)
• Fresh spinach (4 cups)
• Tomatoes (2 cups, chopped)
• Garlic (2 cloves)
• Olive oil (2 tbsp)
• Mozzarella or vegan cheese (1 cup)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add chopped tomatoes and cook 5 minutes.
4. Stir in fresh spinach, cook until wilted.
5. Mix in cheese, salt, and pepper, then add pasta.
6. Toss everything together and serve warm.

For a detailed recipe, check this creamy tomato and spinach pasta.

3) Easy Pasta alla Norma

You’ll love this simple Pasta alla Norma. It’s a classic Sicilian dish with roasted eggplant, tomato sauce, and fresh basil.

The eggplant adds a meaty texture, but the dish stays vegetarian. Roast the eggplant to bring out its sweet flavors.

Toss it with pasta and a rich tomato sauce. Top with ricotta salata or a salty cheese to finish.

Ingredients

• 2 medium eggplants
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups tomato sauce
• 12 ounces pasta (such as rigatoni or penne)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup ricotta salata or grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut eggplants into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25 minutes.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain.
4. In a pan, sauté garlic in olive oil and add tomato sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add roasted eggplant to the sauce and mix well.
6. Toss pasta with the sauce and basil.
7. Serve topped with ricotta salata or Parmesan.

4) One-Pot Garlic Butter Parmesan Pasta

You can make this pasta quickly using just one pot. It’s creamy and full of garlic flavor with a touch of Parmesan cheese.

The butter and garlic create a rich sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. This recipe uses simple ingredients like chicken broth, milk, and Parmesan.

Cook everything together for less clean-up and easy steps. You can have dinner ready in about 30 minutes.

The pasta cooks right in the sauce, making it creamy without extra steps. Fresh garlic and a bit of lemon juice add a nice touch.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 8 ounces uncooked pasta (fettuccine or angel hair)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Pour in chicken broth and milk, then add pasta.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until pasta is tender (about 10 minutes).
5. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

5) Paccheri with Quick Sausage Ragu

You will love how fast and tasty this paccheri with sausage ragu comes together. This dish uses a creamy tomato sausage sauce that cooks in about 30 minutes.

The paccheri pasta’s large tubes hold the sauce well, making every bite flavorful. Start by cooking Italian sausage with some sliced onions.

Add cream and tomato for a rich, smooth sauce. It’s a simple meal that feels a bit special but doesn’t take much time.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces paccheri pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water and cook paccheri pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a pan, cook sausage, breaking it up until browned.
3. Add sliced onions and cook until soft.
4. Stir in butter, heavy cream, and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Mix pasta with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

For an easy recipe, see Paccheri with Quick Sausage Ragu details here.

6) Vegan Pesto Pasta with Winter Greens

You can make a tasty vegan pesto pasta using winter greens like kale or Swiss chard. This dish is simple and quick to prepare.

The greens give the pesto a fresh, slightly bitter taste that pairs well with pasta. Use nuts like walnuts or pine nuts along with garlic and olive oil for your pesto.

Blend everything until smooth. Toss the pesto with cooked pasta and roasted or sautéed winter vegetables.

You can add lemon juice or nutritional yeast for extra flavor if you like.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta
• 2 cups chopped winter greens (kale, Swiss chard)
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
2. Roast or sauté winter greens until tender.
3. In a food processor, blend walnuts, garlic, olive oil, and greens until smooth.
4. Stir in nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan if using.
5. Mix pesto with pasta. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
6. Serve warm.

You can find more ideas for vegan pesto pasta with vegetables at The Hangry Chickpea.

7) Baked Tortellini with Sausage

You’ll love this baked tortellini with sausage because it’s easy and full of flavor. The dish combines cheesy tortellini pasta with Italian sausage, tomatoes, and a rich tomato sauce.

It’s topped with melted cheese that adds a nice golden crust when baked. You can add veggies like spinach or carrots for extra color and nutrition.

It only takes about 30 minutes to bake. Serve it right out of the oven with a simple side salad or garlic bread.

Ingredients

• 1 package cheese tortellini
• 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Optional: chopped spinach or carrots

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook tortellini according to package directions; drain.
3. In a pan, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
4. Add cooked sausage and tomato sauce, simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Mix tortellini with sausage sauce, then transfer to a baking dish.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.

For more details, see this baked tortellini with sausage recipe.

8) Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Shrimp scampi pasta is a simple dish that tastes fresh and light. You cook shrimp in a buttery garlic sauce, then toss it with pasta and a squeeze of lemon.

It’s quick to make, perfect for a busy weeknight. The sauce usually has butter, olive oil, garlic, and fresh lemon juice.

Some recipes add white wine or vermouth for extra flavor. Quickly cook shrimp until they turn pink and tender, then mix them with pasta.

The bright lemon and rich butter make this dish feel special without much effort.

Ingredients

• 1 pound linguine or spaghetti
• 1 ½ pounds peeled, deveined shrimp
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup dry white wine or vermouth
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente.
2. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a pan over medium heat.
4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add shrimp, salt, and pepper.
6. Cook until shrimp turn pink, about 3-4 minutes.
7. Pour in white wine and lemon juice.
8. Simmer for 2 minutes.
9. Stir in remaining butter and lemon zest.
10. Mix until sauce thickens slightly.
11. Toss shrimp and sauce with pasta.
12. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if using.
13. Serve immediately.

Check the full details on shrimp scampi pasta here.

9) Classic Carbonara

Classic Carbonara is a simple Italian pasta dish made without cream. It uses eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper for a creamy, rich sauce.

Cook pancetta or guanciale until crispy. Mix it with hot pasta and a sauce made from egg yolks and grated cheese.

The heat from the pasta gently cooks the egg mixture. This creates a smooth sauce that clings to each strand.

Use spaghetti or any long pasta you like. Make sure not to scramble the eggs by mixing them off the heat.

Freshly cracked black pepper adds a nice kick.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 4 oz guanciale or pancetta, cut into strips
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente.
2. Brown the guanciale in a pan over medium heat until crispy.
3. Whisk egg yolks with grated cheese and a pinch of black pepper.
4. Drain pasta and reserve some pasta water.
5. Toss pasta with guanciale off the heat.
6. Quickly mix in egg and cheese mixture.
7. Add pasta water if needed to make the sauce smooth.
8. Serve immediately with extra cheese and black pepper.

10) Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

This pasta recipe is simple and full of flavor. You’ll make a smooth sauce from roasted red peppers that feels creamy and sweet.

It’s great for a quick dinner that still feels special. Add caramelized shallots or a bit of cheese like parmesan to make it taste richer.

Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta, such as penne or spaghetti. You have a meal ready in no time.

Roast your own peppers or use jarred roasted red peppers. This recipe uses easy pantry ingredients but tastes fresh and bright.

You can find ideas to try at Pinch of Yum’s Roasted Red Pepper Pasta.

Ingredients

• 3 large roasted red peppers (jarred or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 ounces pasta of your choice
• Parmesan or vegan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Roast fresh peppers at 425°F (220°C) for 25 minutes. You can also use jarred peppers.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta.
3. Sauté shallots and garlic in olive oil until they become soft.
4. Blend roasted peppers with cream until the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour the pepper sauce into the pan. Heat it gently.
6. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Add cheese if you like and serve warm.