Food
20 Gourmet Pasta Dishes That Will Up Your Cooking Game
Published on October 7, 2020
Whether you’re a fan of rigatoni, pappardelle, orecchiette or good ol’ spaghetti, there’s no denying how comforting a piping hot bowl of pasta can be. There’s a reason it’s called comfort food, right? We’ve published our fair share of unforgettable pasta recipes (Guinea Hen Ravioli, anyone?), so the next time you’re in a cooking rut, look to this flavor-packed roundup for inspiration. Scroll down for 20 gourmet pasta dishes that go beyond boxed pasta and pre-made sauce. You’ll thank us later!
Buttery Crab Pasta With Golden Tomatoes & Chervil
“Most crab pastas don’t have enough crab — not this one,” says The New York Times columnist and Dinner in French cookbook author Melissa Clark. “It’s highly decadent and perfectly crabby.”
Get the recipe for Buttery Crab Pasta With Golden Tomatoes & Chervil.
Mac & Cheese With Kale Chip Crust
Crispy kale chips give this dish some crunch. Plus, this recipe makes extra, so you’ll have some for later.
Get the recipe for Mac & Cheese With Kale Chip Crust.
Pappardelle Bolognese
This recipe is my take on a classic bolognese, with all the expected flavors but made with stewed beef instead of ground.
Get our recipe for Pappardelle Bolognese.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Chef Rob Gentile of Toronto’s Buca boosts the flavor of his carbonara by incorporating a couple of things that aren’t part of the classic recipe (white wine and sweet onion), but the real trick is using high-quality ingredients. Make sure the eggs are farm fresh, and seek out guanciale (cured pork cheek) from a butcher or Italian specialty store — its flavor and the way it melts in your mouth are a big part of what makes this dish.
Get the recipe for Spaghetti Carbonara.
Golden Tagliatelle & Greens
A gorgeously fragrant pasta with the flavors of a coconut curry and a secret base of sweet carrot juice.
Get the recipe for Golden Tagliatelle & Greens.
Guinea Hen Ravioli
“It takes a little bit of time to make but it’s so good,” says French food blogger, author and TV personality Mimi Thorisson. “My kind of food is very different than molecular gastronomy. I have friends who are chefs and my cooking is as if you threw it on the table. It’s a beautiful mess. Very simple but the best ingredients.”
Get the recipe for Guinea Hen Ravioli.
Orecchiette With Tuna, White Beans & Radicchio
Bright fennel and peppery radicchio pair perfectly with cupboard staples of canned white beans, Italian tuna, garlic and chili flakes.
Get the recipe for Orecchiette With Tuna, White Beans & Radicchio.
Fresh Spaghetti Stir-Fry
This recipe is proof that spaghetti pairs well with almost any flavor combination. It features ginger, garlic, eggplant and sausage, cooked hot and fast and then tossed with the pasta.
Get our recipe for Fresh Spaghetti Stir-Fry.
Lasagna Rolls
The beauty of this cheesy dish is you can fill, form and sauce the roll-ups up to one day in advance of the party, so all you need to do is pop them in the oven and dig in.
Get the recipe for Lasagna Rolls.
Baked Rigatoni With Sausage & Ricotta
All the flavors of lasagna without the fuss! Start with a simple marinara sauce, add crumbled sausage, creamy ricotta, sharp parmesan and a good sprinkling of mozzarella.
Get the recipe for Baked Rigatoni With Sausage & Ricotta.
Cauliflower Puttanesca
“My mom made this for me, and now I make it in different versions,” says chef and TV personality David Rocco. “It’s an easy one-pot meal for a Sunday afternoon. Let it rest for about 20 minutes before serving so the flavors meld together. It doesn’t need to be piping hot.”
Get the recipe for Cauliflower Puttanesca.
Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Mushrooms & Chili Paste
Spicy chili paste, savory, rich pancetta and nutty whole wheat spaghetti create layers of complex flavors.
Get the recipe for Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Mushrooms & Chili Paste.
Skillet Cypriot Spaghetti
Conjure thoughts of warmer weather with a one-pan pasta using rotisserie chicken, halloumi cheese, fresh mint and zingy lemon zest. It’s a lighter way to do comfort food.
Get the recipe for Skillet Cypriot Spaghetti.
Shrimp & Lobster Ravioli In Lemon Cream Sauce
Sounds decadent, right? It is, in the best way. If you don’t want to cook a whole lobster, take a shortcut and buy frozen lobster meat. It’s cooked, shelled and ready to go. Then just grab a few tails for garnish.
Get the recipe for Shrimp & Lobster Ravioli In Lemon Cream Sauce.
The Ultimate Mac & Cheese
If you’ve got macaroni, cheddar, milk and breadcrumbs, you’re most of the way there. This version amps up the ooze and crunch with Fontina and prosciutto (optional).
Get the recipe for The Ultimate Mac & Cheese.
Pappardelle Al Limone With Zucchini Ribbons & Shrimp
This traditional Italian dish has a creamy, citrusy flavor that pairs well with juicy sautéed shrimp.
Get the recipe for Pappardelle Al Limone With Zucchini Ribbons & Shrimp.
Bacon, Eggs & Toast Spaghetti
Indulgent? Yes! This full-throttle dish has all your favorite breakfast components in one. Crispy bacon, buttery toast and runny eggs are all tossed into spaghetti and topped with a perfect six-minute egg. Feel free to substitute whole wheat pasta for the spaghetti if it makes you sleep better at night.
Get the recipe for Bacon, Eggs & Toast Spaghetti.
Fiorelli With Rapini, Garlic & Olive Oil
Sautéing rapini in garlic and olive oil helps coax out its sweet side, while anchovies deliver bold flavor.
Get the recipe for Fiorelli With Rapini, Garlic & Olive Oil.
Pasta Rags With Pan-Roasted Mushrooms & Miso Butter
Once your homemade pasta is rolled out, simply cut into random shapes and sizes. Once cooked, it folds into itself, beautifully capturing sauce in the crevices.
Get our recipe for Pasta Rags With Pan-Roasted Mushrooms & Miso Butter.
Rigatoni Alla Bolognese
With family roots in northern Italy, chef Alessandro Vianello of Vancouver’s Ask for Luigi starts his sauce with bone marrow to add flavor and richness. He assures us, though, that substituting canola oil for the marrow will give delicious results, too!
Get the recipe for Rigatoni Alla Bolognese.