23 Best Christmas Pasta Recipes for Your Holiday Feast

Give your family the gift of a delicious dinner with some of the best Christmas pasta recipes around.

The countdown to Christmas is on, and it’s time to start your menu!

Whatever gets you rocking around the Christmas tree, everyone will love a hearty pasta dish.

From carbonara and manicotti to puttanesca and ravioli, this list is full of dishes you have to try!

Ditch the traditional ham, and dish up something new for the whole family to love. Who doesn’t love a good pasta dinner?

If you’re ready to redesign your holiday table, dig into 23 of the best Christmas pasta recipes around. 

1. Ragu Lasagna

Let’s start out simple with the easiest lasagna I know! It’s great for feeding a crowd for the holidays.

Seriously, there are only six ingredients between you and a big pan of lasagna.

Using store-bought sauce keeps it simple, without the lack of flavor.

You can add ground beef or sausage, or enjoy it meatless as is.

2. San Giorgio Baked Ziti

You can’t go wrong with a giant heap of baked ziti! It’s meaty, cheesy, and oh-so-easy!

If your Christmas crowd is as big as mine, you won’t mind a frugal family feast.

Ziti is the perfect option for a hearty and filling dinner on a budget.

To make this recipe, you need ziti pasta, ground beef, sauce, and cheese!

Combine everything in your biggest casserole dish and bake to perfection.

3. Pasta Carbonara

I’m a sucker for carbonara, no matter the season. Your Yuletide guests will rave over this pasta, and they’ll never know how simple it is.

All you need is a little bacon, a lot of spaghetti, and a pinch of patience for great carbonara.

You can add veggies straight into the mix or serve them on the side.

The key to not scrambling your eggs is to use the reserved pasta water and whisk vigorously.

4. Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni

Stuffed cannelloni is the perfect recipe to serve if you’re looking to impress. It’s fresh, savory, and makes a beautiful holiday meal.

This recipe has spinach and ricotta cheese-stuffed pasta that’s to die for. Coat it in sauce and sprinkle it with cheese before baking. 

You can even make it and freeze ahead of time! Christmas dinner just got a whole lot easier!

5. Fettuccine Alfredo

Homemade Alfredo has to be one of my favorite pasta dishes ever.

Perfectly cooked pasta paired with a succulent buttery cream sauce? Yes, please!

You won’t believe how easy it is! Melt butter in heavy cream, then add in romano and parmesan cheese until it’s melted.

Chicken or shrimp make great proteins for fettuccine Alfredo, or broccoli for a vegetarian dinner option!

6. The Best Manicotti EVER

I’m convinced that manicotti was made with this recipe in mind. Giant stuffed noodles, sauce, and melted cheese? Count me in. 

The stuffing for the shells is worth its weight in gold. Or, cheese. That’s because of the three cheeses it’s made with!

If you want a meaty option, Italian sausage is excellent in this recipe. 

7. Classic Stuffed Shells

Christmas time is made for the classics: cocoa, chocolate chip cookies, and classic stuffed shells!

Ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese make up the bulk of the filling.

This three-cheese mixture is ultra creamy and totally kid-friendly!

Arrange the shells in a pan lined with marinara sauce. Spoon on some extra sauce, cover with more mozzarella, and bake. 

8. Pasta Bolognese

The picky eaters of the family will sing a different tune with this homemade bolognese.

What’s better than smiles all around the Christmas table?

Bolognese is a meat and marinara sauce. Ground beef, tomatoes, and aromatics make for a deep and hearty sauce.

This recipe calls for penne pasta but really any noodle will do! Enjoy it with crusty bread and the family you love.

9. Baked Gnocchi

If you’re looking for a change of pace, gnocchi should make its way onto your menu!

The pillowy soft pasta and sauce will blow your mind.

Spiced sausage, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella make perfect companions for gnocchi pasta.

All that cheese will melt into the tomato sauce and coat each piece of pasta.

A few sprigs of basil on top make for a beautiful presentation of this pasta. 

10. Cheesy Tortellini Bake

We all know the holidays are a busy time. Enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner with no mess and no stress! 

All you need for this baked pasta dish is a bag of tortellini, a jar of sauce, and shredded mozzarella.

Toss the pasta in store-bought sauce, and cover it with cheese before baking. 

Really any tortellini can be used in this recipe. Simple cheese, spinach, or even sausage tortellini all make for a beautiful baked dish!

11. Rotel Chicken Spaghetti

Some families celebrate Christmas potluck style, and this is the perfect recipe for that!

It’s so easy and makes use of that trusty casserole dish in the back of the cabinet.

With just seven ingredients, what more can you ask for? There’s a little kick, and it’s a budget-friendly, no-stress holiday dinner.

The cream of mushroom and Rotel create a balance of heat and hearty.

Use up leftover roast chicken for a whole meal in one dish!

12. Penne Alla Vodka

Vodka sauce is one of the best kept secrets around.

The alcohol cooks off, leaving you with a deep and rich pasta sauce that all will adore.

Fresh herbs and aromatics will result in the best tasting sauce around.

Do yourself a favor and make extra sauce to can for future use! 

If you’re making this dish as a full dinner, I recommend adding some Italian sausage to the recipe.

Christmas is all about a balanced meal leaving everyone happy and satisfied!

13. Spaghetti and Meatballs

Meatballs are my go-to meal when I’m going to have a houseful of guests.

I mean, who doesn’t love a giant meatball on a bed of pasta and sauce?

These tender meatballs are perfect to make a big batch of and feed a hungry crowd. 

If you want to sneak in some extra veggies, add some finely chopped carrots and spinach to your meat mix.

Picky eaters will never notice!

14. Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

We often load up our Christmas table with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and other classic carbs.

This year, I’m opting for some of this simple spaghetti instead!

Lightly dress al dente spaghetti with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan before serving.

This is a great side dish that will be gobbled up in no time!

And trust me, kids and adults alike will be filling their plates with it. No shame in the spaghetti game here!

15. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

I imagine that Italian Christmas dinners are some of the best in the world.

With pasta dishes like this, I have Florence on my mind this holiday season!

Spinach and sun-dried tomatoes are perfect for the Christmas dinner spread.

The creamy sauce and hearty chicken make for an unforgettable and filling feast. 

The best part of this recipe is it all comes together in one pan! Who wants to do a dozen dishes on Christmas, anyway?

16. Garden Vegetable Lasagna

Most people think of lasagna as layers of meat, sauce, and cheese.

If you have a vegetarian joining you for the holidays, make this lasagna instead!

I know I should give credit to the array of tender veggies layered between the pasta.

But this sauce is warm, spiced, creamy, and like heaven on earth.

Cottage cheese or ricotta can be used in the layers of pasta.

The sauce soaks into the veggies and cheese for a warming winter flavor. 

17. Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

What do you get when you mix fall squash and warm winter flavor? This roasted pasta dish for a comforting Christmas dinner.

I can’t tell you how divine this creamy pasta sauce is with the pureed squash and garlic.

Swirl the pasta in, and top it with crispy prosciutto for Christmas perfection!

What better gift to give than an unforgettable dinner?

18. Gorgonzola Cream Sauce Pasta

I promise you haven’t had pasta like this before. Well, unless you’ve made this recipe, and then you know you need it again!

It’s hard to pick my favorite part of this recipe: the cream sauce, the sausage, or the pasta.

Or maybe it’s the whole combination and bright peas, too!

Gorgonzola dulce is an ultra-creamy cheese in this sauce. If it appears too thick, add some reserved pasta water. 

19. TikTok Feta Pasta

From dance moves to hairstyles, TikTok has taught me so much about life in the 21st century.

It’s also given me ideas for the dinner table, too!

Roasted tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and creamy feta cheese make a heavenly trio.

Toss in the cooked pasta after the sauce has been roasted. 

This recipe is perfectly vegetarian as is. But it’s great with chicken, sausage, or even tofu for extra protein!

20. Pasta Primavera

I know what you’re thinking, but primavera is great for more than just the warm months.

With fresh veggies available all year round, Christmas just got a whole lot brighter!

I once read that the best dinners are full of a variety of colors. With peppers, red onions, broccoli, and more, there’s no lack of color here. 

There is a light lemon and olive oil dressing on this pasta.

It’s perfect if you’re hoping to keep your Christmas dinner on the lighter side!

21. Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Puttanesca at its core is designed to be a dish full of tangy aromas and flavor.

And it’s supposed to be made with ingredients you have on hand!

Olives, anchovies, and whole tomatoes create a tangy and umami pasta sauce.

Add in some capers, herbs, and spices, and stir in al dente pasta.

You can enjoy this delicious dish as is, or serve it with grilled fish or chicken.

Either way, it’s perfect for some holiday joy!

22. Nonna’s Homemade Ravioli

Okay, most of these recipes take advantage of store-bought pasta and sauces.

But making your own ravioli is so satisfying and worth every second!

Grab your favorite people, and enjoy some quality time in the kitchen making your own ravioli.

It’s a labor of love, but so rewarding for an incredible Christmas dinner. 

This filling has loads of cheese, meat, and seasoning, but any filling will do. The true art is in the pasta preparation.

23. Goat Cheese Pasta with Chicken & Rosemary

Christmas in my kitchen is all about comfort. Who can resist creamy mac n cheese with tender pasta and chicken?

The rosemary in this recipe adds such a level of sophistication.

There’s also the ultra-creamy goat cheese sauce and rotisserie chicken!

You could totally turn this dish into a “bake” and make it ahead of time.

Just add on some extra cheese and bake until bubbly before serving.