We absolutely love Italian food, and at the heart of that famous cuisine is pasta!
This collection of traditional Italian Pasta Recipes includes 30 great dishes, many familiar along with some very regional dishes you may not have heard of.
The variety here is huge. From a wide array of tomato based pastas, to decadent and creamy recipes, to very simple and light meals. No matter what pasta you’re craving, you’ll find it here.
Cook your way through all of these amazing Italian pasta recipes. We bet you’ll keep coming back to them!
Buon appetito!
Italian Pasta Recipes:
1. Lamb Ragu
We’re starting this list of Italian pastas with a real bang!
Lamb Ragu is an incredibly flavorful and comforting Italian sauce, and tossed with hearty pappardelle pasta it makes the most amazing meal.
It does require a bit of patience, because these amazing flavors take time to develop, but it’s so worth it in the end.
2. Fettuccine Alfredo
This Fettuccine Alfredo is the BEST, hands down! It’s pure creamy Italian bliss that you won’t be able to get enough of.
Fettuccine Alfredo is pure Italian comfort food. Perfectly cooked pasta smothered in a decadent creamy cheese sauce. All in about 20 minutes!
One of the quickest Italian pasta recipes you’ll ever cook.
3. Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
If you’ve never tried Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe, you need to add this easy pasta recipe to your collection. Like, yesterday.
Combining a variety of distinctive flavors, this dish comes together beautifully. No wonder this super regional dish from the southeast corner of Italy has spread so far!
4. Clam Linguine (Linguine alle Vongole)
Clam Linguine, or Linguine alle Vongole, is an elegant restaurant quality dish. But don’t be intimidated, it’s super easy to make.
It’s a gorgeous, yet light, pasta in a lemony, garlicky wine sauce. This is one of those dishes that is easy enough for any weeknight, yet impressive enough for special occasions.
It’s one of our favorite Italian pasta recipes ever!
5. Scallop Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
This Scallop Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is one of our favorite new recipes. It’s super quick and easy, in about 20 minutes you have an amazing meal on your table.
This elegant dish is sure to impress guests, but it’s so quick to whip up it’s even great for busy weeknights.
And all it takes is a few simple ingredients. So what are you waiting for?
6. Pasta alla Norcina
Pasta alla Norcina is a delightful dish where Italian sausage, mushrooms and al dente pasta are enveloped in a creamy white wine infused sauce.
Originating from the town of Norcia in Umbria, Italy, known for its exquisite sausages, this dish beautifully showcases Italian culinary traditions.
7. Spicy Sausage Pasta
A bowlful of this Spicy Sausage Pasta is what cozy nights are meant to be. Adding a crusty piece of bread with a glass of red is just an extra bonus.
Make this spicy sausage pasta when your heart craves for something easy, yet tantalizing.
This easy pasta dish is perfect for a quick dinner for busy weeknights, but equally wow worthy if you’re looking for an easy pasta dinner for your company get together.
8. Pesto Pasta
Pesto Pasta is a light and fresh Italian dish with a beautiful sauce. And it’s almost too easy!
Get your hands on the biggest bunch of some fresh basil. Whip up a quick Pesto Sauce and swirl it with the pasta of your choice. That’s it, dinner is served.
9. Pappardelle Bolognese
This Pappardelle Bolognese is the ultimate pasta dinner, where a rich meat tomato sauce simmers for hours for deep flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pappardelle Bolognese
10. Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a famous Sicilian dish with a chunky, herb infused eggplant and tomato sauce. And it’s just too good!
It’s a light, meatless pasta meal, yet the firm, buttery eggplant gives it a heartiness that will keep your appetite satisfied.
11. Italian Wedding Soup
Another great pasta soup, this Italian Wedding Soup has delicious meatballs, veggies and tiny pasta in a delightful broth. So simple, yet so satisfying!
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup
12. Pasta Puttanesca
This easy Pasta Puttanesca recipe is a quick and light dish, yet boldly flavored with garlic, anchovies, olives and capers. It’s yum!
13. Penne alla Vodka
If you’re in the mood for a deliciously comforting pasta night, here it is! Penne alla Vodka is a unique fusion of tomato sauce and rich creaminess.
It’s sooo good. And don’t worry about the vodka, all of the alcohol cooks out, so this one is family friendly too.
14. Pasta e Piselli
This Pasta e Piselli recipe is perfect for those last minute weeknight dinners, when you want something tasty and comforting, without a lot of hassle.
A simple Neapolitan dish of Pasta and Peas, it’s a light one pot meal that you can have on the table in about 25 minutes.
15. Meatball Minestrone Soup
Minestrone is a hearty Italian vegetable soup made with tomatoey broth and pasta along with any veggies and beans you can lay your hands on.
This recipe gives a slight twist to the traditional dish by adding in meatballs. It’s so good!
16. Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Fettuccine
Shrimp Fra Diavolo – because spicy is Delicious! Spice up your life, embrace this bowl of succulent plump shrimp, tomatoes and a kick of heat… some pasta doused in that sauce or nice crusty bread.
Save a cozy night for some Shrimp Fra Diavolo. Aaaand, since you are the chef in your own kitchen, you can adjust that heat too.
Just don’t turn it down too much, otherwise it’s not Shrimp Fra Diavolo!
17. Sicilian Pasta
If you’ve been on the lookout for a tasty new pasta recipe, here it is! This Sicilian Pasta is bursting with flavor from mixed olives, capers, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes and some great flavor enhancers!
It’s a light pasta meal, perfect for meatless nights, and comes together super fast. This gorgeous dish can be your easy weeknight dinner or a meal for special occasions.
It just may become one of your go-to Italian pasta!
18. Pasta Primavera with Shrimp
This Pasta Primavera recipe is a perfect dinner when you’re looking for something light, yet satisfying.
Your favorite pasta is tossed in a delicate cream sauce with plenty of fresh veggies and plump shrimp.
This versatile dish is perfect for spring and summer when the vegetable seasons are at their peak, but you’re going to want this treat all year long.
19. Spicy Pasta Alla Vodka
This amazing homemade Pasta alla Vodka recipe is going to make you forever pass by the store bought stuff… it’s that good!
You’re going to be amazed how easy it is to create such a decadent and gourmet sauce in your own kitchen.
With just a few pantry staples, and of course some vodka, you can create a restaurant quality meal that you’ll come back to again and again.
20. Pasta e Fagioli Soup
This Italian style soup is loaded with hearty ground beef, fresh vegetables, creamy beans, tender pasta and delicious herbs all in a rich and savory broth.
This Pasta e Fagioli is a MUST one pot meal for cozy comfort nights.
21. Tortellini al Forno
This Tortellini al Forno recipe is pure decadent comfort food. Plump, tender tortellini smothered in an amazing creamy sauce that’s enhanced by bacon and a variety of cheeses.
Give this one a try on cozy night. Trust us, even your pickiest eaters will dig in with gusto!
22. Creamy Tortellini Soup
Now this soup will tempt you to leave behind anything you’re doing right now and come hover over a cozy bowl loaded with happy mood and happy flavors.
Packed with pillowy tortellini and Italian sausage, with a big flavor enhancement from sun dried tomato pesto, it’s a sure hit!
23. Antipasto Pasta Salad
Now here is the star of your next potluck spread! Our Antipasto Pasta Salad is so good and so satisfying that the guests may forego the main dish for a second helping.
And it’s so easy. It can be your quick weeknight dinner, complete with protein, veggies and carbs. Or it can be meal prep for all the week’s lunches.
24. Pesto Chicken Pasta
If you need a quick weeknight dinner, here it is! Our Pesto Chicken Pasta comes together in about 25 minutes, and is full of great flavors.
This quick recipe features sautéed chicken, hearty pasta, and the sweetness of cherry tomatoes that provide a wonderful contrast to the herby basil. It’s the perfect combination!
25. Italian Sausage and Tortellini Bake
This Italian Sausage and Tortellini Bake is pure comfort food bliss. With a well seasoned tomato sauce and plenty of cheese, it’s a sure hit with all ages.
Best of all, it only takes a few minutes of hands on time, then your trusty oven does the rest!
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Tortellini Bake
26. Pomodoro Pasta
This easy Pomodoro Pasta is the perfect option when you crave a light, yet satisfying, spaghetti dinner.
With a simple tomato sauce made of easy to find ingredients, this classic Italian dish is a great meatless dinner or pasta side dish.
Get the Recipe: Pomodoro Pasta
27. Lasagna
You know we can’t have a list of Italian pasta recipes without Lasagna! This famous Italian delicacy is loved by everyone, and makes amazing comfort food for your family.
This classy lasagna is very simple to make with layers of pasta, rich meaty tomato sauce, béchamel, and lots of mozzarella cheese. It’s super delicious!
28. Frutti di Mare Sauce
Frutti di Mare Sauce is for the seafood lovers!
It is a flavorful, decadent sauce that has a variety of seafoods like shrimp, scallops, mussels and squid in a thick red homemade arrabbiata sauce.
This one is perfect for special occasions.
Get the Recipe @ spoonforkbacon
29. Cacio e Pepe
Now you can’t get more simple than this Italian classic, Cacio e Pepe. Tender noodles tossed with parmesan cheese, freshly cracked black pepper in a light sauce. So easy, yet so tasty.
Perfect answer for that last minute “oh no, what’s for dinner?”!!
30. Stuffed Shells
Stuffed Shells is a delicious baked pasta dish you can make for dinner any night.
These Italian stuffed pasta shells are filled with spinach and ricotta, then baked in a tomato sauce with plenty of cheese to make an easy casserole.
The perfect family dinner!
Get the Recipe @ loveandlemons
31. Spaghetti Carbonara
Carbonara is one of our favorite pasta. It’s creamy and cheesy, with a big flavor boost from bacon.
It’s also quite versatile. You can easily add veggies, chicken, shrimp or sausage to bulk it up.
Get the Recipe @ thebestblogrecipes
32. Three Cheese Manicotti
Now this is a hearty meal! Manicotti stuffed with three types of cheese, topped with tomato sauce and more cheese then baked to perfection.
This is a great company dinner or meal prep contender.
33. Baked Ziti
This is the easiest, cheesiest and tastiest Baked Ziti recipe! This pasta bake is full of your favorite lasagna flavors and ingredients that make it amazingly delicious.
It’s perfect to feed a crowd, and if there are any leftovers it makes great lunch for the next day. So enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ thefoodcharlatan
34. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
We’re wrapping up this list with something so simple, yet so good. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is one of the easiest and tastiest Italian side dishes you will ever make at home!
You only need 4 basic ingredients to make this classic dish, which gets ready in no time.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
We hope you enjoy these Italian Pasta Recipes as much as we do. Every single one is so good.
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Italian Recipes
Penne Recipes
Tortellini Recipes
Orzo Recipes
Spaghetti Recipes
Rigatoni Recipes
Italian Chicken Recipes
Italian Side Dishes
30+ BEST Italian Pasta Recipes
This collection of easy and comforting Italian Pasta Recipes includes thirty traditional favorites. We love this decadent alfredo pasta:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 garlic coves, minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 8oz fettuccine pasta
- parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water according to the directions to al dente. Drain in a colander.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a skillet, then add the garlic. Cook for a minute or two, till the garlic becomes soft and fragrant.
- Add the cream and Italian seasoning. Bring to a low simmer, then stir in the cheese. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
- Once the cheese has melted and everything is well combined, toss in the pasta and cook till warmed through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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