Ultimate Guide to Homemade Pasta Recipes: 17 Easy and Delicious Ideas to Try

Creamy sauces, Italian classics, tuna, salmon, and ground meat pasta dishes

Pasta is one of the most beloved pantry staples around the world: affordable, versatile, and quick to cook. Whether you’re craving a creamy cheese sauce, a fresh lemony dish, a protein-packed tuna meal, or a comforting baked mac, there’s always a perfect way to turn pasta into a satisfying dinner. This roundup brings together 17 tested and approved pasta recipes from all categories—grouped to make your next meal choice easier.

Creamy and Cheesy Pasta Recipes

These are your go-to comfort meals for weeknights where you want something warm, cheesy, and satisfying.

1

Creamy Mozzarella Parmesan Pasta: The Ultimate Cheesy Weeknight Dinner

If you love rich, creamy pasta dishes that come together in under 30 minutes, this recipe is about to become your new favorite. This creamy mozzarella Parmesan pasta combines the melt-in-your-mouth texture of mozzarella with the bold umami kick of Parmesan. Tossed in a velvety sauce made with heavy cream and chicken broth, this dish is comforting, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for busy weeknights.

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2

Easy and Quick Mac & Cheese with Abondance, Beaufort & Comté

Mac & cheese is comforting, familiar, and endlessly customizable. But when you elevate it with three iconic French alpine cheeses — d’Abondance, Beaufort, and Comté — it becomes something truly gourmet. This version blends the nuttiness of these cheeses with 15% cream for a velvety, rich texture you’ll crave again and again.

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3

Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta with Heavy Cream and Fresh Garlic (Ready in 30 Minutes)

This creamy tomato pasta is rich, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make. With simple ingredients like tomato paste, garlic, and heavy cream, it comes together in just 30 minutes — perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. Finish it with a generous handful of grated Parmesan and you'll have a restaurant-quality meal at home.

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4

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe: More Delicious Than Carbonara?

Today, we're tackling a revamped classic: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. The question is — is this recipe actually better than carbonara? I’ll let you be the judge, but one thing’s for sure — you won’t be disappointed!

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5

Creamy Green Pasta with Spinach, Basil, and Cashews (No Cream!)

Looking for a vibrant, healthy, and creamy pasta dish without using cream? This green pasta with spinach, basil, garlic, and cashew sauce is everything you want in a weeknight meal: quick, nutritious, packed with flavor, and absolutely beautiful to serve. Blending blanched greens with toasted garlic, nuts, lemon juice, and Parmesan gives you a velvety, restaurant-worthy sauce that hugs every strand of pasta.

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Tuna and Salmon Pasta Recipes

Quick, flavorful, and full of protein. These are ideal when you’re short on time but want a balanced meal.

6

Linguine with Tataki Tuna, Spinach & Creamy White Wine Sauce

Looking for a pasta recipe that’s out of the ordinary, elegant yet easy to prepare? This linguine with tataki-style seared tuna, creamy spinach and shallot sauce, and a splash of white wine is just what you need. It’s a recipe that blends buttery shallots, fresh herbs, rich cream, and lightly seared sashimi-grade tuna — a real showstopper in under 30 minutes.

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7

Spicy Tuna Rigatoni with Cherry Tomatoes and Capers

This recipe is one of those rare gems: quick enough for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough to impress guests. With canned or fresh tuna, a few pantry staples, and fresh herbs, you'll have a soul-satisfying dish with zero fuss.

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8

Salmon Pasta Easy Recipe: A Quick and Delicious Delight

Craving a salmon pasta recipe that’s quick, easy, and delicious? It features fresh ingredients, a creamy sauce, and even a flambé twist with ouzo and cheese. Get ready for a treat!

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9

Salmon Pasta: The Easy & Creamy Tagliatelle Recipe

I love pasta—don’t you? There’s something comforting about a good pasta dish, especially when it’s made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Today, I’m sharing my recipe for creamy salmon tagliatelle: a classic with a twist, simple to make and absolutely delicious.

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Italian-Inspired Classics

From 5-ingredient staples to cheesy favorites, these authentic or inspired recipes hit the spot every time.

10

Aglio e Olio Recipe: Healthy, Simple and Flavorful Pasta in Under 20 Minutes

Tired of plain buttered noodles and looking for a quick, budget-friendly pasta recipe that still packs real flavor? This authentic Aglio e Olio recipe is your perfect solution. With only five basic ingredients, minimal prep time, and a tiny budget, this Italian classic turns basic spaghetti into a trattoria-worthy dinner. In under 20 minutes, impress your family, friends—or just your own taste buds!

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11

Cacio e Pepe Recipe: Simple, Quick, and Unforgettable!

Craving a pasta dish that’s a step up from your usual butter noodles? Cacio e pepe is here to elevate your meal! This Roman classic is deceptively simple but unbelievably delicious. “Cacio e pepe” means “cheese and pepper” in Italian, and that’s exactly what you’ll need—plus a few other essentials. Get ready for a burst of flavor!

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12

Easy and Quick Carbonara Recipe

Carbonara is one of the simplest yet most delicious dishes from Italian cuisine. Today, we'll be making an authentic, classic version of this pasta dish, without cream, allowing the fresh, high-quality ingredients to shine. Fresh pasta, flavorful cheese, pancetta, and eggs – everything you need for a delightful and shareable meal.

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13

Homemade Pesto Pasta: A Simple and Flavorful Recipe

Are you craving a delicious and easy homemade pesto pasta? This dish is simple, quick, and packed with fresh flavors. My expert tips to make the perfect pesto and enjoy an authentic Italian meal. Let’s dive into this culinary journey

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14

Lemon Pasta (My Take on Pasta al Limone): A Fresh and Easy Recipe

Craving a simple yet refined dish that embodies the flavors of Italy and fresh lemon? Pasta al limone is the perfect choice! With fresh ingredients and a quick preparation process, you get a flavorful dish ideal for a last-minute dinner or a special occasion.

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Pasta Recipes with Meat: Ground Beef, Pork, or Chicken

Comforting and family-friendly pasta meals that make use of pantry staples and simple proteins.

15

Homemade Bolognese Sauce for Delicious Tagliatelle

Are you looking for a simple yet delicious homemade bolognese sauce recipe to accompany your fresh tagliatelle? In this post, I’ll share the essential steps to prepare a rich and savory bolognese sauce. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just looking for a comforting dish, this recipe won’t disappoint. Follow these steps and turn your kitchen into a little slice of Italy!

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16

Macaroni and Meat Gratin: A Simple and Comforting Recipe

As the cool October days settle in, the craving for warm, comforting dishes grows. It’s October 15th in Quebec, a time when wild geese and ducks migrate south, and we begin preparing our kitchens for the winter. Today, we’re diving into a simple yet hearty dish: a macaroni and meat gratin, perfect for warming both hearts and stomachs.

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17

Easy and Quick Stir-Fried Noodles (Chow Mein) with Chicken Recipe

If you're looking for a quick and delicious meal, this stir-fried noodles with chicken recipe is perfect! Packed with tender marinated chicken, a sweet and savory caramel sauce, and crispy vegetables, this dish brings the vibrant flavors of Asia straight to your home. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or just need a fast meal, this recipe delivers on taste and simplicity. Follow these easy steps to make stir-fried noodles that rival any restaurant version!

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Bonus Recipe: Ricotta & Spinach Stuffed Shells

An oven-baked favorite that’s cheesy, hearty, and great for gatherings or meal prep.

18

Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Craving a comforting and flavorful pasta dish that’s sure to impress? These ricotta and spinach stuffed jumbo shells are the answer! This recipe, one of my all-time favorites, brings together the creaminess of ricotta, the earthy taste of spinach, and the richness of homemade tomato sauce.

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Tips for Better Homemade Pasta Dishes

• Salt your pasta water generously: it should taste like the sea.
• Save a cup of pasta water to loosen and bind sauces.
• Finish cooking the pasta in the sauce, not just on top.
• Use ingredients like mascarpone, parmesan, or starchy pasta water to make sauces creamy without heavy cream.

Your Turn!

Which pasta recipe will you try next? Save this post to Pinterest, share it with a friend, or leave a comment to let us know your favorite!

 More Pasta Dishes You’ll Love

• Looking for bold Roman flavor? You can’t miss this Pasta alla Zozzona — smoky, creamy, and full of depth.
  
• Creamy and luxurious: This Creamy Roquefort Sauce with Chicken Tenderloin turns any pasta into a restaurant-quality dish.
  
• Weeknight hero: Our Creamy Tomato Pasta is quick, comforting, and done in 20 minutes.
  
• The ultimate in simplicity: Cacio e Pepe is cheesy, peppery, and ready in under 15 minutes.
  
• Love oven-baked pasta? These Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shells are rich and cozy.
  
• Craving seafood? Try our Salmon Pasta or Tuna Pasta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette for a lighter twist.
  
• Looking for a salad-style option? This Greek Pasta Salad is fresh, herby, and perfect for warm days.
  

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