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Best Pasta Recipes

We've tested and reviewed dozens of pasta recipes across every style — baked, stovetop, cream-based, tomato-based, and more. Here's everything we've learned about making perfect pasta dishes every time.

Quick Facts

Storage
Fridge (raw)
3–5 days cooked
Freezer
Up to 2 months cooked
Cooked
3–5 days in airtight container
Cooking Temp
Internal temp
N/A (boil at 212°F / 100°C)
Oven
350–375°F / 175–190°C (baked dishes)
Substitutes
See full substitution guide →
Pairs Well With
Cooking Guides

Our Reviews

We tested and ranked the best pasta recipes from top food blogs.

Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: RecipeTin Eats's Chicken Parmigiana

35 min Medium

Top versions compared from published recipes and reader feedback

Homemade Ramen Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Fork Knife Swoon's Simple Homemade Chicken Ramen

1 hr Medium

34 recipes compared, 2,725 reader ratings analysed

Pad Thai Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Tastes Better From Scratch's Pad Thai

30 min Medium

37 recipes compared, 7,862 reader ratings analysed

Baked Ziti Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Once Upon a Chef's Baked Ziti

1 hr 30 min Medium

53 recipes compared, 5,534 reader ratings analysed

Cacio e Pepe Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Spoon Fork Bacon's Cacio e Pepe Recipe

15 min Medium

48 recipes compared, 3,744 reader ratings analysed

Carbonara Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Spend with Pennies's Spaghetti Carbonara

30 min Easy

50 recipes compared, 2,111 reader ratings analysed

Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: The Salty Marshmallow's Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce

10 min Easy

55 recipes compared, 10,199 reader ratings analysed

Mac and Cheese Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Mom On Timeout's The BEST Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese

1 hr Medium

53 recipes compared, 24,843 reader ratings analysed

One-Pot Pasta Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Feel Good Foodie's One Pan Pasta Recipe

25 min Easy

44 recipes compared, 3,394 reader ratings analysed

Pesto Pasta Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Natasha's Kitchen's Chicken Pesto Pasta

30 min Easy

53 recipes compared, 2,382 reader ratings analysed

Vodka Sauce Pasta Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Salt & Lavender's The Best Penne alla Vodka

20 min Easy

61 recipes compared, 4,854 reader ratings analysed

Salmon Pasta Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Foxes Love Lemons's The Best Creamy Salmon Pasta

40 min Medium

Top versions compared from published recipes and reader feedback

Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Natasha's Kitchen's Ground Beef Stroganoff

35 min Easy

Top versions compared from published recipes and reader feedback

Bolognese Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: BBC Good Food's The Best Spaghetti Bolognese

2 hr 15 min Medium

Top versions compared from published recipes and reader feedback

Lasagna Recipe

Our Pick

Top pick: Allrecipes's World's Best Lasagna

3 hr 15 min Medium

Top versions compared from published recipes and reader feedback

Keep your favorites from this list

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much pasta should I cook per person?
A standard serving is 2 oz / 56 g of dried pasta per person, which yields roughly 1 cup cooked. For a main course, most people serve 3–4 oz / 85–115 g per person. If the pasta is a side dish, 2 oz is plenty. One pound of dried pasta typically serves 4 as a main course.
How do I cook pasta al dente?
Cook pasta in a large pot of well-salted boiling water (1 tablespoon salt per litre). Start testing 1–2 minutes before the package time by biting a piece — al dente pasta should have a slight firmness in the centre without tasting raw. Drain immediately and toss with your sauce. The pasta will continue to soften slightly from residual heat.
Should I add oil to the pasta water?
No. Adding oil to the water prevents sauce from clinging to the pasta. Instead, use plenty of water (at least 4 litres per pound of pasta) and stir within the first minute of cooking to prevent sticking. Save a cup of starchy pasta water — it's the secret to emulsifying and thickening sauces.
How do I match pasta shapes to sauces?
Long, thin pasta (spaghetti, linguine) pairs best with oil-based or light sauces. Short, ridged shapes (rigatoni, penne) catch chunky meat or vegetable sauces. Wide noodles (pappardelle, fettuccine) stand up to rich cream or ragù sauces. Tiny shapes (orzo, ditalini) work well in soups. See our pasta shapes guide for a complete pairing chart.
Can I make pasta dishes ahead of time?
Baked pasta dishes like lasagna and baked ziti are excellent make-ahead meals — assemble, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 2 months. Add 15–20 minutes to the bake time if cooking from the fridge. Stovetop pasta dishes are best served immediately, but you can cook the sauce ahead and toss with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.

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Keep your favorites from this list

Save the recipes you want to cook and plan your week around them.