25 Easy Italian Pasta Recipes

When you want to make something for dinner that will please everyone at the table, you can’t go wrong with these Italian pasta recipes!

There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Italian cuisine is internationally recognized as one of the most popular cuisines.

And, of course, pasta is one of the reasons people can’t get enough of it!

From classic bolognese and spaghetti with meatballs to coastal clam linguini and pasta puttanesca, these 25 recipes will help you bring the taste of Italy into your home. 

Don’t get me wrong, I will eat a taco any day, but the variety and flexibility of Italian pasta dishes are difficult to pass up, especially in a pinch. 

Another perk? Most of these yummy recipes are freezer-friendly, so I highly recommend you double your recipe and prep for future dinners. 

Take your tastebuds on a tour of Italy and enjoy these 25 incredible Italian pasta dishes. 

25 Italian Pasta Dishes We Adore

1. Cacio e Pepe

This dish is an easy dinner and a family favorite in our home.

This simple pasta dinner is so customizable and can be a standalone meal, or it can be paired with other main courses.

The five ingredients in this recipe are probably already in your pantry. What are you waiting for? Enjoy this pasta tossed in butter for your next bite!

2. Barilla Lasagna

No Italian pasta list is complete without a perfectly layered lasagna. This recipe is so easy, and you can even make it ahead and freeze it to enjoy at a later date.

With layers of sausage, marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and, of course, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, this lasagna is an easy version of the Italian classic.

3. Pasta Pomodoro

Pasta Pomodoro is a delightful variation of tomato sauce.

You’ll note the closeness of the ingredients list to classic marinara sauce, however, Pomodoro is a thicker, smooth tomato sauce.

When serving this pasta, remember to reserve pasta water to add back into the pasta and sauce mixture.

It’ll help the sauce and pasta meld together for this mouthwatering dish.

4. Pasta Puttanesca

Pasta puttanesca might have an interesting history, but it lives on for good reason. It’s absolutely delicious.

This recipe has deep layers of flavor from the capers, olives, anchovies, tomatoes, garlic, and basil.

Another quickly-prepared pasta, you’ll have to give this fragrant puttanesca a try.

5. Manicotti

Baked manicotti is another well-known Italian pasta dish that can be found at most traditional Italian restaurants.

This recipe combines zesty Italian sausage, manicotti shells, marinara sauce, and lots of cheese.

I love to shake this recipe up and use chicken and spinach in place of sausage.

6. Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

Would this list even be Italian pasta if I didn’t include a delicious spaghetti and meatballs recipe? We all know the answer is a resounding “No!”

As delicious as meat sauce is, I definitely prefer to have meatballs with my marinara.

This recipe is foolproof and produces perfectly moist meatballs to top your mountains of spaghetti.

7. Classic Linguine With Clam Sauce

If you try nothing else from this list, promise me you’ll try this pasta dish! 

This tomato-free recipe gains its acidity from the white wine used when cooking your clams.

The pasta is delicately dressed with olive oil and garlic, and I simply can’t get enough of this coastal dinner. 

8. Fettuccine Alfredo

This homemade Alfredo recipe is so easy to make, and it’ll definitely have you ditching the store-bought Alfredo sauce.

This recipe really is next level, using refrigerated fettuccine pasta. 

Alfredo pasta is one of my favorites, because of the depth of the cream sauce.

Of course, you can top this with chicken, shrimp, spinach, broccoli, but do you really need to?

9. Easy Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi

Gnocchi may be more of a dumpling than a pasta, but this recipe combines ricotta and flour to produce these pasta-like perfections tossed with your choice of sauce!

The gnocchi freezes well if you make a double batch and want to keep some on hand for a delicious dinner down the road. 

10. Classic Fettuccine Carbonara

I won’t lie, I was a bit intimidated the first time I tried this carbonara recipe after seeing that the sauce is prepared with egg yolk rather than dairy or cheese.

This recipe is now my go-to when I’m craving creamy carbonara because of how simple the sauce is compared to other carbonara recipes.

Give it a try, and you’ll love it, too.

11. Penne Alla Vodka

The addition of vodka in this recipe adds a particular level of depth to this tomato-based sauce in tandem with fresh herbs, sweet tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.

Perhaps it’s the texture, but I prefer penne pasta in my Italian dishes.

You can easily substitute for your favorite fresh, refrigerated, or pantry pasta in this recipe if desired.

12. Homemade Italian Ravioli

If you’ve never tried making homemade ravioli, give this recipe a try.

You can try a variety of fillings from chicken and spinach ricotta, to simple three-cheese stuffing. 

Don’t have a pasta maker? No worries, you can roll out your pasta dough with a rolling pin and a passion for a delicious dinner!

Don’t forget to freeze a batch while you’re at it!

13. One-Pot Rigatoni Bolognese

Bolognese is commonly called “spaghetti” in the states.

This one-pot pasta dinner is a simple variation of traditional pasta with meat sauce and is ready to serve in under thirty minutes.

If you have some extra time, you can cook the sauce ahead of time and allow the flavors of the soffrito, tomatoes, garlic, and broth to meld before adding to your pasta.

14. Stuffed Shells

Stuffed jumbo shells are an instant win in our home, and everyone always wants seconds.

This cheesy stuffed pasta bathed in tomato sauce and blanketed with mozzarella cheese is an Italian staple.

A scrumptious and simple recipe, this dish will easily become a household favorite for you, too!

15. Orecchiette With Sausage and Broccoli

This recipe is unlike many Italian pasta dishes and provides hearty flavor with broccoli, sausage, and the Italian staples of olive oil, garlic, and fresh Parmesan cheese.

I love the addition of steamed, tender boiled broccoli.

If you prefer a more contrasting texture, you can steam your broccoli instead of boiling to preserve some of the natural sturdiness. 

16. Easy Angel Hair Pasta

This is a simple Italian staple recipe list that’s far from bland.

The pops of cherry tomatoes in this pasta add a sweetness that pairs perfectly with lightly seasoned pasta.

As deliciously simple as this recipe is, you don’t need to modify it. Though, you can add other veggies or meats to raise the complexity of this pasta dish. 

17. San Giorgio Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is an easy top Italian dish that’s easily prepared. It also lasts well in the freezer and is always a crowd-pleaser. 

Who doesn’t love an easy Italian casserole that’s loaded with meat, cheese, and zesty tomato sauce?

This is the perfect dish to prepare for potlucks, guests, and of course, yourself!

18. Fagioli Al Forno

This recipe pairs beans with classic Italian flavors, and though it’s historically a ‘peasant’ dish, this dish is economical, filling, and delicious.

Canned beans make this recipe serving ready in a cinch, but feel free to prepare your own.

19. Baked Eggplant Rollatini

This recipe is actually free of traditional pasta and uses slices of eggplant instead. This recipe is a hit for keto, low-carb, and gluten-free households. 

Want to increase your protein? Add in chicken, ground beef, or Italian sausage to the ricotta mix.

20. Bucatini All Amatriciana

This wholesome pasta dish is less-known than other pasta recipes, but it deserves recognition for the pork-centered sauce.

The pancetta elevates the savory elements of this dish and compliments the acidity of the tomatoes.

Bucatini pasta is a thicker, more filling round noodle, similar to spaghetti. No worries if you can’t find this noodle, the sauce is delicious on any pasta.

21. Easy Pasta Arrabbiata

Another pasta recipe ready in a flash, arrabbiata adds a kick to traditional tomato sauces.

The addition of sugar in this recipe really reduces the acidity of the tomato sauce.

This zesty arrabbiata sauce is a delicious change to the baked ziti marinara recipe, too. 

22. Penne Boscaiola

Boscaiola sauce is similar in preparation to Alfredo sauce, but it boasts a much earthier flavor.

In this recipe, you’ll combine mushrooms and bacon with creamy tomato sauce.

Your guests will rave over the layers of flavor this recipe boasts, but just don’t count on leftovers! 

23. Pasta Cacio e Uova

Cacio e uova is a silky custard sauce, similar to carbonara. This dish is a simple vegetarian pasta recipe that’s easy to enjoy. 

Whether paired with other dishes or as a main course, this vegetarian carbonara is divine. 

24. Spaghetti Alla Carrettiera

A Sicilian recipe at its core, this pasta dish is a scrumptious dinner involving just seven simple ingredients, and it’s tomato-free!

Of course, we’ve all had bread with our pasta, but the addition of freshly-toasted breadcrumbs on this recipe makes this dish feel like home. 

25. Tagliatelle With Mushrooms

Finally, a recipe that specifically incorporates fresh pasta had to make its way on this list. Homemade pasta is actually quite easy to make. 

The star of the show, though, is hands down the porcini mushrooms and shallots simmered in white wine reduction.