10 Restaurant-Caliber Italian Pasta Recipes

Pasta with No-Cook Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella
Photo: Andy Lyons

Liven up families dinners with one of these amazing pastas, including carbonara, fettuccine Alfredo, and our best lasagna recipe. All of these flavorful Italian pasta recipes will please your hungry dinner crowd. Our top dishes are even tastier and more affordable than what you can order at your local trattoria.

01 of 10

Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Pasta

Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Pasta
Blaine Moats

If you have 35 minutes, then you have all the time you need to make this rainbow-colored, ridiculously tasty vegetarian dinner. Roast up a big sheet pan of vegetables, then toss with cooked pasta and a bit of olive oil for a light and healthy Italian pasta recipe. For a protein boost, stir in cooked shrimp or chicken.

02 of 10

Tortellini with Broccolini

Tortellini with Broccolini
Andy Lyons

On nights when you want a quick dinner and quick cleanup, stir together this vegetarian skillet pasta recipe. Since it calls for store-bought stuffed Italian pasta (find it in the refrigerator aisle), the entire entrée comes together in less than 30 minutes. Have no fear about serving this to folks with big appetites: A full can of beans pumps up the protein to a hearty 19 grams per serving.

03 of 10

Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo
Andy Lyons

"Alfred-ohhh yes," is what you'll be saying after just one bite of this creamy sauce. Serve the fettuccine Alfredo meatless or with chicken or shrimp. We'll show you three recipe variations that will inspire you to make this popular restaurant dish at home.

04 of 10

Bolognese Lasagna with Porcini-Ricotta Filling

Bolognese Lasagna with Porcini-Ricotta Filling
Blaine Moats

Share a comforting family-style meal with this colorful and flavorful casserole as the centerpiece. Sausage, beef, and bacon all star in this lasagna recipe. Alternate between meaty layers of Italian sausage and ground beef alongside melted cheese and homemade porcini-Parmesan sauce. And lasagna noodles, of course.

05 of 10

Copycat Pesto Cavatappi

Copycat Pesto Cavatappi
Culinary Hill

Italian pasta bowls are best-sellers at fast, casual chains because they're quick, filling, affordable, and a cinch to dress up with your pick of protein and vegetables. Our version of this corkscrew pasta dish, made famous at Noodles & Company, gets a head start with store-bought pesto. Just add a splash of white wine, cream, and sautéed tomatoes, and it looks like it came straight from the restaurant kitchen.

06 of 10

Fettuccine alla Carbonara

Fettuccine alla Carbonara
Kritsada Panichgul

Savor Alfredo and carbonara in this mash-up recipe. The luxurious texture of the sauce comes courtesy of butter, Parmesan, white wine, and whipping cream rather than eggs. Since the sauce starts in a base of prosciutto and bacon drippings, the recipe maintains its traditional pork flavor.

07 of 10

Bucatini with Shrimp and Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce

Bucatini with Shrimp and Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce
Andy Lyons

While this 30-minute meal is spiked with small shellfish, there's nothing small about the flavors. Garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, tomatoes, and a full cup of basil infuse this Italian seafood pasta with Mediterranean flair. For an extra dose of salty richness, top with a healthy handful of feta cheese.

08 of 10

Rosemary and Ravioli Chicken Soup

Rosemary and Ravioli Chicken Soup
Andy Lyons

Don't call for takeout—this healthy, hearty ravioli soup is as easy as dump, stir, boil, and serve. The stuffed Italian pasta soup is the perfect vehicle for leftover chicken, too, so bookmark it for times when you're in need of a fridge clean-out.

09 of 10

Chickpea Alfredo with Spring Veggies

Chickpea Alfredo with Spring Veggies
Blaine Moats

Vegan Alfredo sauce does exist—start with cashews, chickpea flour, garlic, olive oil, and seasonings for a creamy sauce that will fool even the most diehard cheese devotees. (This 35-minute meal is one of our Meatless Monday mainstays.)

10 of 10

Shrimp and Roasted Red Peppers

Shrimp and Roasted Red Peppers
Blaine Moats

This mouthwatering Italian seafood pasta can be yours in just 25 minutes. A cool sauce of cream, white wine, and basil complements the fiery flavors of roasted red peppers in the sauce. The real star, though, is the crushed red pepper-laden shrimp.

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