Our Most Popular Pasta Recipes Ever
From macaroni and cheese to linguine with clam sauce, these classic pasta recipes are our readers' all-time favorites.
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If there's one thing we know for certain, it's that our readers have very good taste. The proof is right here: These 30 pasta recipes, which are your all-time favorites, are as delicious as they come. From two versions of ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese to pasta tossed with classic sauces like tomato and alfredo, these simple, classic recipes are the ones you've visited and prepared time and time again. There's no denying that pasta is everyone's favorite comfort food.
When you're ready to whip up a crowd-pleasing pasta, start with Grandma's Bolognese, pictured here. In this recipe, a combination of ground beef and ground pork bring so much flavor and tenderness to a traditional Bolognese sauce. The beef is sautéed until browned and crisp and then cooks down with an entire can of whole tomatoes (we recommend San Marzanos), marsala wine for a hint of sweetness, and dried porcini mushrooms for even more meatiness. Use this as a meat sauce for lasagna or toss with pappardelle for a swirly, twirly dish.
You'll also find one-pot pasta recipes, which are perfect for those times when you're looking for a dinner recipe that will have minimal clean-up and maximum flavor. One of our most popular recipes of all time is a pasta recipe that cooks the noodles in one skillet with cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, and grated Parmesan cheese. The noodles release their starches into the water, which helps to thicken the sauce and provide some body. Plus, the tomatoes burst with their juices, which release even more vibrant flavor into the dish.
Along the way, try our recipes for pasta salads, classic Italian-American dishes (think fettuccine alfredo and linguine with clams), as well as some truly Italian recipes like carbonara.
For more than 30 years, our readers have come to us for the best recipes, and we're so excited to re-introduce the very best pasta dishes from the archives based on what you love.
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Perfect Macaroni and Cheese
Learn how to make the ultimate comfort food—mac and cheese—with this master recipe; it's made with a combination of sharp white cheddar and Gruyere cheese for maximum flavor. Serve it as is or top with breadcrumbs and bake until bubbling.
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One-Pan Pasta
One of our most popular pasta recipes is this one-pan dish, which is made with linguine, cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, and plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
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Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine
This creamy comfort food is beloved by kids and adults alike. A combination of heavy cream, starchy pasta water, and Parmesan cheese create the ultimate alfredo sauce for the pasta.
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Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Skip the store-bought, jarred marinara sauce and make your own with just a handful of basic ingredients: two pounds of fresh ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and parsley leaves, garlic, and olive oil.
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Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs
We use ground beef chuck for this classic pasta recipe. That beef is mixed with Parmesan, parsley, breadcrumbs, and garlic for the most flavorful meatballs.
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Spaghetti Carbonara
Our interpretation of the stylish Roman pasta recipe is so indulgent. For the perfect creamy sauce, whisk together a combination of whole eggs, half-and-half, and Parmesan cheese, then add the warm pasta and crispy bacon.
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Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Since this recipe was published in 2009, it has been one of our readers' all-time favorite pasta dishes, and it's easy to see why: It has chicken breasts, white mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes. Shredded provolone and grated Parmesan make it super creamy, too.
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Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
Start with our basic, fluffy gnocchi recipe for this cloud-like pasta dish and then mix it with a combination of canned tomato sauce and whole plum tomatoes.
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Classic Cheese Lasagna
Just like Grandma used to make! This vegetarian lasagna is meat-free but still plenty indulgent thanks to a trio of cheeses—mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan—which are layered with fresh lasagna noodles and your favorite marinara sauce.
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Freeze-Ahead Lasagna Primavera
Looking for a fabulous make-ahead meal that you enjoy any night of the week? How about this vegetable-packed pasta dish, which features layers of sliced carrots, frozen peas, and frozen chopped spinach?
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Spinach Lasagna
It's not easy being green, unless you're this vegetarian lasagna. Between each layer of pasta is sautéed baby spinach, pan-fried zucchini, a creamy bechamel sauce, shredded mozzarella, and grated Pecorino Romano.
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Chicken Fettuccine with Pesto Cream Sauce
All you need are five ingredients—boneless, skinless chicken breasts, prepared basil pesto, heavy cream, olive oil, and fettuccine noodles—to make one of our readers' favorite pasta recipes.
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Linguine with Lemon-Cream Sauce
Brighten up this creamy alfredo-style sauce with the zest and juice from one whole lemon. It's a quick and easy pasta recipe that you can make any night of the week.
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Linguine with Shrimp and White Wine
Our easy version of shrimp scampi uses a combination of white wine, butter, and fresh lemon juice for a light, fragrant sauce.
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Salmon Pasta
Fresh salmon fillets shine in this creamy pasta recipe. They're seasoned with crushed fennel seeds, brown sugar, and fresh parsley. Once cooked, toss the fish with corkscrew pasta, sour cream, lemon juice, and starchy pasta water.
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Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna
Come fall, we're all about this autumnal lasagna that's layered with a mixture of roasted butternut squash, fresh sage butter, and a trio of cheeses (mozzarella, ricotta, and grated Parmesan cheese).
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Linguine with White Clam Sauce
This Italian-American classic features two pounds of small Manila clams, which cook in a garlic white wine sauce until the clams open and the meat is tender. Toss with the pasta, butter, and fresh parsley for the perfect bite.
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Baked Ziti with Crunchy Italian Salad and Garlic Bread
Make a complete family-friendly dinner with three recipes here—a cheesy baked ziti paired with homemade garlic bread and a simple salad with greens and an oil-and-vinegar dressing.
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Penne with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce
In just 30 minutes, this seasonal pasta recipe comes together. It uses a can of fresh pumpkin purée, which is mixed with starchy pasta water, half-and-half, and Parmesan cheese for a satisfying fall dinner.
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Shrimp, Tomato, and Basil Pasta
Cherry tomatoes and canned, diced tomatoes team up for this simple 30-minute vegan pasta recipe. The makeshift sauce is tossed with penne pasta, sautéed shrimp, and lots of fresh basil.
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Lemony Pasta with Goat Cheese and Spinach
One of our readers' favorite pasta recipes is this nutty, creamy dish. Five cups of chopped fresh parsley and cilantro, plus 10 ounces of baby spinach, add nutrients (and a pop of color, too!) from dark leafy greens and herbs.
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Mushroom Pasta
Sautéed mushrooms (choose your favorite variety!) bring umami flavor and meatiness to this meat-free cream-coated pasta dish that's beloved by our loyal readers.
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Zucchini Lasagna
Our secret to this decadent vegetarian lasagna recipe is reduced-fat cream cheese, which is mixed with ricotta cheese for an even more luscious cheese filling that's spread over lasagna noodles and layered with thin slices of zucchini.
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Vegetable Lasagna
We keep this lasagna recipe super easy by using no-boil lasagna noodles, your favorite store-bought marinara sauce, thawed frozen chopped spinach, and two kinds of cheese (ricotta and fontina).
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Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula
Bring this classic pasta salad recipe to a picnic or backyard barbecue. It's packed with flavor and texture from an assortment of ingredients including cannellini beans, fresh goat cheese, arugula, and sliced red onions.
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Pasta with Prosciutto and Peas
Craving a comforting pasta dish? Our twist on a traditional spaghetti carbonara—which is made with prosciutto, peas, and the zest and juice of lemons—should fit the bill.
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Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs
When you want a pasta dish that's a little lighter and leaner but still plenty satisfying, try this recipe for spaghetti and meatballs. Instead of a blend of beef and pork, these meatballs are made with ground turkey.
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Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Peanuts
Whole wheat fusilli brings a nutty quality to this umami-laden pasta salad that's dressed with a savory sauce made from rice vinegar, smooth peanut butter, and soy sauce.
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One-Pan Orecchiette with Chickpeas and Olives
We love serving orecchiette (which means "little ears" in Italian) because they are the perfect vessel for holding a chunky sauce and lots of hearty ingredients, like chickpeas and kalamata olives, which are sautéed with tomato paste, garlic, and rosemary.
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John Legend's Macaroni and Cheese
The superstar singer's macaroni and cheese recipe is one of our readers' favorites. It's super creamy and decadent, thanks to a winning combination of evaporated and skim milk and two eggs, plus sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese.