21 Italian Pasta Recipes I Learned To Cook From Family

Some lessons come from quiet moments in the kitchen, passed down with care and patience. Every stir, every pinch, every taste holds a story that started long ago. Traditions stay alive through simple meals made by hand. These 21 Italian pasta recipes carry the warmth of family in every step.

Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Stick with what works when the need is for something warm, quick, and full of flavor. Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta comes from the kind of cooking where one pan does all the heavy lifting. Always ends up on the table when simple comfort wins.
Get the Recipe: Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Spaghetti Arrabbiata

Lean into the heat and bold tomato flavor that never tries too hard. Spaghetti Arrabbiata has been made the same way for decades, straight from a family recipe that never needed adjusting. Nothing fancy, just a sharp, fiery classic.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Arrabbiata

Italian Baked Ham Provolone Rosettes - Lasagna Roll Ups

Rolled and layered pasta dishes always brought a bit of ceremony to the table. Italian Baked Ham Provolone Rosettes - Lasagna Roll Ups hold together beautifully and slice up neatly for sharing. The kind of meal that feels like more than the sum of its parts.
Get the Recipe: Italian Baked Ham Provolone Rosettes - Lasagna Roll Ups

Palmini Baked Feta Pasta

Baked palmini with feta in a light blue casserole. — Palmini Baked Feta Pasta. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Let the creamy feta do its thing while palmini takes care of the rest. Palmini Baked Feta Pasta hits that balance between light and indulgent, with flavor that still carries the dish. A newer classic with roots in familiar technique.
Get the Recipe: Palmini Baked Feta Pasta

Alfredo Steak Pasta

Rich, hearty, and full of contrast between creamy sauce and seared meat. Alfredo Steak Pasta came from mixing traditional pasta nights with what was already on hand. Always hits hardest when something big and filling is needed.
Get the Recipe: Alfredo Steak Pasta

Easy Pasta Puttanesca

A pan full of spaghetti and tomatoes on a tablecloth. — Easy Pasta Puttanesca. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

A punchy, no-nonsense recipe that taught the value of strong ingredients in small amounts. Easy Pasta Puttanesca delivers fast flavor with anchovy, garlic, and olives doing the heavy lifting. The kind of dish made with what’s in the pantry, yet never tastes like it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Best Vegetarian Bolognese

Hearty enough to satisfy without leaning on meat to do the job. Best Vegetarian Bolognese uses lentils and slow-cooked flavor pulled from long-held traditions. Not just a substitute—its own kind of comfort.
Get the Recipe: Best Vegetarian Bolognese

Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

Start it early, forget about it, and let the flavors build until they fall apart. Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu is one of those dishes that doesn’t rush and never disappoints. Always feels like something worth slowing down for.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu

Copycat Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Brothy, starchy, and straightforward—built from staples and rooted in home kitchens. Copycat Pasta e Fagioli Soup holds warmth in every spoon without leaning on extras. Made often, remembered easily.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Mushroom Ragu - Vegan Pasta Sauce

Layers of depth come through when mushrooms are given the time to develop. Mushroom Ragu - Vegan Pasta Sauce taught that meatless doesn’t mean less. Full of flavor, and made for cold nights or big portions.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Ragu - Vegan Pasta Sauce

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

A bowl with spiral pasta, vegetables, pepperoni, and arugula. — Zesty Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Bright, cold, and always the first thing gone at potlucks. Zesty Italian Pasta Salad made its way into every family gathering with good reason. Stands up well, holds flavor, and travels even better.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Let the heat from the pepper flakes meet the richness of garlic-infused oil in the most straightforward way possible. Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino came from kitchens where nothing went to waste and everything had purpose. Best when kept honest and unfussy.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Italian Penne Rosa Pasta

Turned into a weeknight staple thanks to a creamy tomato sauce that doesn't overwhelm. Italian Penne Rosa Pasta blends soft heat and a touch of tang, making it one of those meals that finds its way back into the rotation again and again. Easily feeds a crowd or just a craving.
Get the Recipe: Italian Penne Rosa Pasta

Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Pulled straight from pantry basics, this dish taught how much flavor can come from very little. Tuna and Tomato Pasta leans into its saltiness and simplicity without trying too hard. Every bite tastes like a shortcut that got everything right.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

A close-up of creamy macaroni and cheese garnished with parsley. — Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Cooked in one pan, filled with deep flavor, and always finished before the night ends. Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot holds onto old-school roots with minimal cleanup. Often made when comfort had to happen quickly.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

Smoked Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing

Tossed with crisp vegetables, smoky add-ins, and a tangy homemade dressing that keeps everything interesting. Smoked Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing made its way into every picnic basket and stayed. Great for big gatherings and even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing

Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta

Chicken breast cut with pasta in the background. — Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Sharp, clean flavors cut through the richness in the best way. Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta was taught early on as the go-to for meals that felt fresh without feeling light. The capers seal the deal every single time.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta

Italian Low Carb Pasta Marinara

Pasta Marinara inside a grey plate with extra sauce and basil leaves on the side. — Italian Low Carb Pasta Marinara. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Proves that cutting back doesn’t mean giving up. Italian Low Carb Pasta Marinara keeps the same tomato base used for generations, paired with noodles that work for a different kind of table. Familiar, balanced, and easy to keep on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Italian Low Carb Pasta Marinara

Pasta e Ceci - Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew

Made to feed many and stretch what’s already in the pantry. Pasta e Ceci - Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew is slow and comforting with every bite. Still taught as a starting point for learning what makes a dish feel complete.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Ceci - Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew

Baked Feta Pasta

Made popular recently, but rooted in the same basic kitchen logic passed down for years. Baked Feta Pasta came from throwing together what was left and creating something that stuck. Creamy, tart, and always scooped straight from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

Veggie Pesto Pasta with Broccoli

A shallow white bowl filled with pasta, broccoli, and chickpeas tossed in green pesto sauce. — Veggie Pesto Pasta with Broccoli. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Bright herbs and fresh broccoli turn this into a bowl that doesn’t need to be explained. Veggie Pesto Pasta with Broccoli started as a way to use up leftovers and became one of the most-requested family dinners. Nothing fancy, just good.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pesto Pasta with Broccoli