17 Desserts That Go With Pasta

If you’re in search of desserts that go with pasta, you’ve come to the right place!

From tiramisu to cheesecake to affogato, these sweet treats are the best way to conclude your pasta feast. 

Growing up, pasta was a go-to dish for special occasions. Spaghetti, lasagna, and carbonara were, and still are, synonymous with birthday parties where I’m from.

What I look forward to even more, though, is the equally delectable dessert that comes after. To me, a party isn’t a party without dessert.

That’s why today, I’m sharing 17 sweet treats that aren’t only delicious but also go really well with pasta.

If you’re looking for the perfect ending to the perfect party, these easy desserts have you covered.

Serve one (or more) of these confections, and you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable celebration.

1. Semifreddo  

Semifreddo is a semi-frozen Italian dessert. Made of sugar, cream, and egg yolks, it has a silky, mousse-like consistency. 

In this recipe, all you’ll need are cream, Greek yogurt, and strawberries. Yep, no eggs – which means there’s no cooking needed.

The result is such a smooth, thick, and creamy dessert, some think it’s better than ice cream!

2. Cheesecake 

This cheesecake is ultra-rich and decadent. It’s counterbalanced with a light and airy sponge cake crust, giving you an amazing dessert.

This dessert is made popular by Junior’s, an establishment in NYC famous for its cheesecakes.

With this copycat recipe, you’ll get to enjoy the delectable treat at home.

3. Tiramisu 

Tiramisu is a light and creamy Italian dessert that’s simply to die for. 

At the bottom is a bed of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, followed by a layer of rich mascarpone cream. Finishing it off is a dusting of cocoa powder. 

Traditional tiramisu calls for raw eggs, but in the interest of food safety, you won’t use them in this recipe.

That way, you’ll get to enjoy the goodness of tiramisu without worrying about salmonella. 

4. Lemon Bars

Warning: these lemon bars are insanely addictive. Your self-control will be thrown out the window when you come face to face with this dessert!

Complete with a buttery shortbread crust, a smooth lemon filling, and powdered sugar on top, these treats have spectacular flavor and texture combinations that will tickle your tastebuds.

5. 7-Up Cake 

7-Up cake is a tender and moist bundt cake with a sinful glaze. Thanks to 7-Up, both the cake and the frosting are bursting with zesty lemon and lime flavors.

Since it’s dense, this dessert is particularly great with a light dish, such as seafood angel hair pasta. 

6. Affogato 

As a coffee and ice cream lover, affogato makes me really happy. This Italian dessert is made up of exactly those two things.

It’s also a breeze to make. Just pour coffee over vanilla ice cream, and boom, you’re done. Genius idea, am I right?

7. Fruit Tart 

This charming fruit tart features a crust, a cream cheese filling, and your choice of fruit.

The crisp and buttery crust plus the smooth and velvety filling plus the sweet and tart fruit create the most awesome dessert experience!

It looks so intricate, but if you think about it, it’s actually really a cinch to make. It’s so easy, you can make it even on a busy day!

8. Key Lime Cake 

Key lime cake is a sweet and zesty dessert that’s loaded with flavor.

The cake itself is amazing, but the key lime glaze and cream cheese frosting take it to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Thank you, Trisha Yearwood, for such a stunning summer dessert that I won’t mind eating any season.

9. Granita 

Granita is a frozen dessert from Sicily made of sugar, fruit juices, and water. In this recipe, you’ll use lime juice to flavor granita for a bright and refreshing treat.

It only requires three ingredients – can you imagine?! It’s simple, but it surely satisfies. It’s perfect if you’re on a diet but craving dessert.

10. Lemon Sorbet 

Lemon sorbet is another frozen dessert that’s also sweet and tangy. It may not be as creamy as ice cream, but it’s just as tasty.

Nope, there’s no need to buy an ice cream maker for this recipe! All you’ll need are sugar, water, lemon, and the freezer. 

11. Chocolate Cake 

This isn’t your ordinary chocolate cake, folks. This one uses Hershey’s chocolate, so trust that it’s extra rich, extra decadent, and extra delicious.

You won’t even need frosting to enjoy it!

It’s so good, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make! With this recipe, you can say goodbye to boxed cake mixes for good.

12. Italian Ricotta Cookies 

Italian ricotta cookies are moist and tender cookies topped with a sweet glaze.

The cookies are flavored with lemon and ricotta for a wonderful balance of rich and tangy. 

A holiday staple, these cookies are ridiculously addictive! I dare you to stop at one.

13. Italian Hot Chocolate 

Italian hot chocolate is rich and creamy, and ridiculously chocolatey. You know why? Because not only does it contain cocoa powder, but real chocolate, too!

Because it contains cornstarch, this comforting beverage is also extra thick, putting all powdered chocolate milk mixes to shame. 

14. Sugar Cookies 

These sugar cookies are crisp, soft, and chewy, all at the same time. They’re so pretty, too! How on earth can one resist?

They’re light and airy, making them a great meal-ender to a heavy meal. Plus, you can easily decorate them to fit your party’s theme.

15. Italian Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Italian cookies are super chewy and tender.

Not only are they loaded with chocolate chips, but they’re also made even chocolatier with cocoa powder. Double the chocolate, double the fun!

They’re also shaped like a teardrop. I’m not sure why, but I’m guessing it’s because one bite will make you cry tears of joy.

16. Italian Hazelnut Cookies 

Baci di dama are hazelnut sandwich cookies with a dark chocolate filling. They’re rich, buttery, and so soft they melt in your mouth. 

Fun fact: “baci di dama” is Italian for “lady’s kisses.” The cookies look like two lips kissing, hence the name. 

17. Pineapple Angel Food Cake 

Pineapple angel food cake is also sometimes referred to as a weight watcher’s cake. But don’t be fooled: just because it’s guilt-free doesn’t mean it’s no good.

Light and fluffy cake is made extra-moist and flavorful with pineapple and topped with whipped cream. It’s so simple, yet so good.