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10 Perfect Pasta Dishes to Feed the Whole Fam

Garlic shrimp pasta, pesto pasta with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, and Chicken alfredo bake.
Well Plated by Erin/The Mediterranean Dish/Dinner at the Zoo

Pull out those comfy pants, people! Jeans just won’t cut it after you indulge in any of these 10 comforting pasta recipes. From rich butternut alfredo sauce to palate-pleasing pesto, there’s plenty to go around!

Whether it’s a bubbly hot casserole you love or an herb-infused pesto dish that makes your taste buds sing, we’ve got ’em. Plus, you’ll have plenty of leftovers for lunches the rest of the week!

Swedish Meatballs with Pasta

A large Staub Dutch oven filled with Swedish meatballs and macaroni elbows swimming in a beef gravy, topped with fresh parsley. Surrounding the Dutch oven are various ingredients and a few forks.
Damn Delicious

Swedish Meatballs is one of those classic dishes that’s long gone before leftovers, so be sure to make extras. The rich beef gravy doused over your pasta (or noodles) combined with homemade meatballs makes this a memorable meal.

For a veggie addition, throw in sauteed baby bellas!  Be sure to serve this with warm crusty bread, too, so you have something to scrape up the extra sauce.

Get the Recipe: Damn Delicious

Chicken Alfredo Bake

Two side by side images: The left image is of a creamy chicken alfredo baked meal in a turquoise casserole dish topped with melted cheese and parsley, and the right image is of a fork full of the meal being taken with stretched cheese melting off the sides of the utensil.
Dinner at the Zoo

Chicken alfredo is one of those special meals the entire family will adore. The rich buttery flavor of alfredo sauce clings just right to pasta, and the chicken adds exactly the right touch of heartiness.

After making that lovely cream-based sauce, you’ll mix in cooked pasta and cubed (cooked) chicken breast, and voila. Enjoy each gratifying mouthful, and don’t sweat the extra calories.

Get the Recipe: Dinner at the Zoo

Cheesy Taco Pasta

A close up view of cheesy taco pasta, with seasoned ground beef, and shells with fresh herbs on top.
Dinner then Dessert

Hello Taco Tuesday! We found a pasta version that goes well with all the taco fixings you love. The ground beef combined with gooey cheddar cheese and salsa work flawlessly with shell pasta in this one-of-a-kind meal.

If you are craving the crispy crunch of hard-shelled tacos, be sure to finish this dish with Fritos or tortilla strips on top. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, and tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Dinner then Dessert

Butternut Squash Alfredo with Cavatappi

Two side by side images: the left image is of cavatappi pasta coated with a butternut squash alfredo sauce, chopped chicken breast and topped with fresh sage leaves and parmesan cheese. The right image is a close up view of the left image.
Damn Delicious

This subtly sweet and rich butternut squash sauce is to die for! Filled with fresh flavors of sage leaves, nutty parmesan, and just a touch of Dijon, this sauce delivers delicious results.

The bacon and tenderly shredded chicken really take this fancy dish to the next level! So, be sure to click print; this is a recipe you don’t want to skip.

Get the Recipe: Damn Delicious

Baked Penne with Sausage and Spinach

Two side by side images: The left iamge is of a casserole dish filled with baked penne with spinach and chicken sausage and bubbly hot melted cheese on top. The right image is a closeup view of the left image.
Skinny Taste

Here’s a recipe you’ll love to make time and again. Garlic-covered sausage and spinach coated in a fresh marinara sauce, low-carb rigatoni, and a ricotta cheese concoction are all layered just right.

It’s comforting, healthy, and easy to prep ahead of time then bake later. Plus, it freezes well, so you can double up and enjoy the same dish next month.

Get the Recipe: Skinny Taste

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

Two side by side images: The left image is of million dollar baked spaghetti and the right image is of a cut square of this casserole meal plated and ready to eat.
Dinner then Dessert

If you follow any food blogs on Pinterest, then your eyes may have already gazed upon this Million Dollar spaghetti recipe! While there are plenty of versions for this saucy spaghetti casserole, we love Sabrina’s from Dinner then Dessert because it’s freezer friendly.

In this recipe, you’ll whip up a quick meaty marinara then toss it in with the spaghetti. From there, you’ll layer up with a cream cheese and mozzarella combo. After baking for 30 minutes, you’ll have before you a bubbly hot casserole the entire family will devour.

Get the Recipe: Dinner then Dessert

Penne Alla Vodka

Two side by side images: the left image is penne alla vodka in a deep skillet and the right image is of the finished pasta dish, in a white bowl finished with parmesan cheese.
Salt and Lavender

Vodka sauce is a silky smooth combination of tomato paste, cream, and vodka that clings perfectly to penne and other pastas. Many recipes use additional aromatics like onion, garlic, and fresh herbs like basil, and you can add crushed tomatoes for a heartier bite! Enjoy this easy recipe with a side salad and a glass of vino.

Get the Recipe: Salt and Lavender

Pasta Carbonara

Two side-by-side images; the left image is of spaghetti and chopped bacon in a large skillet and the right image is of a finished pasta carbonara dinner topped with bacon bits, parmesan cheese and parsley.
Dinner at the Zoo

Pasta Carbonara is a classic Italian dish that’s both easy to make and quick to vanish. An authentic carbonara dish uses guanciale or pancetta, but you’ll find most American versions (like this one) uses bacon.

Be sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure you don’t overcook (or scramble) the eggs. Once finished, the spaghetti should be completely coated with a rich and flavorful sauce you’ll love.

Get the Recipe: Dinner at the Zoo

Garlic Shrimp Pasta

An All-Clad skilled filled with linguine, sautéed veggies and shrimp, with garlic and lemon on the side.
Well Plated by Erin

This recipe takes little to no effort, according to Well Plated by Erin. It takes advantage of freezer shortcuts, quick-cooking shrimp, and simple ingredients like lemon zest, shallots, and garlic for flavor.

After tossing everything together, you’ll have a new favorite weeknight meal to make any time.

Get the Recipe: Well Plated by Erin

Pesto Pasta with Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella

A plate of spaghetti tossed in homemade pesto with fresh mozzarella and roasted grape tomatoes served with the pasta. The plate is garnished with fresh basil leaves and cracked black pepper.
The Mediterranean Dish

Pesto has a way of maximizing flavor and bringing so many dishes to life. The basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and EVOO work without flaw to create an incredibly fresh and flavorsome sauce.

Just add roasted grape tomatoes and fresh mozzarella pearls, and you’ll have a restaurant-worthy meal packed with Mediterranean flavors that are just yum!

Get the Recipe: The Mediterranean Dish


Pasta always hits the spot and then some. Next time you’re craving some penne, or you just need to make a dish large enough to feed your army, serve up one of these yummy dishes. And don’t forget to pair it with a much-deserved glass of wine.

Emilee Unterkoefler Emilee Unterkoefler
Emilee Unterkoefler is a freelance food writer, hiking enthusiast, and mama with over ten years of experience working in the food industry. Read Full Bio »
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