40 Perfect Pasta Dishes

Pasta With Peppers and Mozzarella

Fresh mozzarella, red peppers, and arugula give a pasta recipe a familiar tricolor effect.

Get the recipe: Pasta With Peppers and Mozzarella

With a more substantial sauce, go with a thicker pasta, such as pappardelle or tagliatelle.

Get the recipe: Pasta With Smashed Peas

Hearty rigatoni can stand up to the smoky, charred flavors of grilled vegetables.

Get the recipe: Rigatoni With Grilled Peppers and Onions

This Cheddar-infused extravaganza is spiced with nutmeg.

Get the recipe: Cheesy Baked Shells and Broccoli

A sauce of butter and Dijon mustard caps gnocchi―thick, little dumplings.

Get the recipe: Gnocchi With Butter and Herbs

Mix penne with tender chunks of eggplant and grape tomatoes.

Get the recipe: Eggplant Pasta Salad

The secret behind this dish’s zesty nature: lemon peel.

Get the recipe: Asparagus-Goat Cheese Pasta

The longer the tomatoes marinate in a mixture of onions, olive oil, mozzarella, salt, and pepper, the more savory the flavor.

Get the recipe: Pasta With Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Fresh pesto sauce is easy to make―pulse all the ingredients in a food processor and you’re done. To upgrade, add sliced zucchini and fresh mint.

Get the recipe: Basil Pesto Pasta With Zucchini and Mint

Coconut, chili powder, bean sprouts, and basil give fettuccine the taste of Thailand.

Get the recipe: Spicy Coconut Noodles

Spaghetti so simple it’s ready in 15 minutes.

Get the recipe: Spaghetti With Broccoli and Lemon

Top a colorful recipe of pasta and chopped vegetables with fresh mint.

Get the recipe: Rigatoni With Sautéed Eggplant and Tomatoes

A touch of heavy cream makes store-bought pesto even richer.

Get the recipe: Creamy Pesto Gnocchi With Green Beans and Ricotta

Pair pasta with buttery Yukon Gold potatoes and crisp green beans.

Get the recipe: Pesto Pasta With Green Beans and Potatoes

Wait a few minutes after preparing this dish to serve it, giving the various flavors time to develop and blend.

Get the recipe: Fusilli With Spinach, Ricotta, and Golden Raisins

Spanish olives and capers are pure Mediterranean touches.

Get the recipe: Linguine With Caper and Green Olive Sauce

In a cost-effective use of asparagus, the spears are mixed with pasta, while the stalks help season the pesto sauce.

Get the recipe: Spinach Pasta With Asparagus Pesto

This vibrant pasta-and-vegetable combo is a low-fat choice.

Get the recipe: Multigrain Pasta With Sweet Potatoes and Leeks

Roasted almonds add an unusual, crunchy note.

Get the recipe: Chickpea Pasta With Almonds and Parmesan

This more exotic take on spaghetti can be dressed up with shredded lettuce, carrots, and cooked chicken.

Get the recipe: Cold Noodle Salad With Peanut Butter Dressing

Linguine is steeped in red wine to absorb its color and flavor.

Get the recipe: Red Wine Pasta With Romano

Toss in toasted hazelnuts for both offbeat flavoring and extra protein.

Get the recipe: Whole-Wheat Spaghetti With Hazelnuts and Asparagus

Farfalle With Spinach and Peas

Feta cheese, a stir-in here, is low in calories and fat, compared to other cheeses. Add prosciutto, cooked until crispy, just before serving.

Get the recipe: Farfalle With Spinach and Peas

Bake individual ramekins of ziti and ground beef until the mozzarella on top is good and melted.

Get the recipe: Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti

Chicken and rosemary, a classic combination, are paired in a slightly less orthodox recipe.

Get the recipe: Parmesan Pasta With Chicken and Rosemary

An old chef’s trick: Use the flavorful pasta water as the base for your sauce.

Get the recipe: Pasta With Sausage and Red Bell Pepper.

If broccoli rabe isn’t to your taste, sub in broccoli florets. For more bite, try arugula or Swiss chard.

Get the recipe: Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

Eliminate the sausage to retool this as a vegetarian dish.

Get the recipe: Hot Italian Sausage Tomato Pasta

Cabbage, butter, and sage make a savory broth.

Get the recipe: Pappardelle With Cabbage, Prosciutto, and Sage

Though broccoli rabe and sausage usually seem to go hand in hand, this recipe calls for diced bacon instead.

Get the recipe: Linguine With Broccoli Rabe, Bacon, and Corn

A steak-and-fettuccine matchup takes a turn toward the East, flavored with soy sauce and hoisin sauce.

Get the recipe: Orange Beef Broccoli Stir Fry

Pork loin, cooked with onion, rosemary, and garlic, flavors this ragu.

Get the recipe: Rustic Pork Ragu

Opt for whole-wheat pasta as an easy way to work more fiber and whole grains into your diet.

Get the recipe: Spaghetti With Chicken and Beans

Fresh spinach is preferable here, but in a pinch you can use frozen.

Get the recipe: Ravioli With Spinach and Bacon

Buttery, cheese-filled tortellini offsets the slight tang of arugula.

Get the recipe: Tortellini With Bacon, Greens, and Brown Butter

Pasta With Tuna and Black Olive Vinaigrette

The tuna is flaked from a can, so little cooking is involved. For more robust flavor, splurge on Italian olive oil-packed tuna.

Get the recipe: Pasta With Tuna and Black Olive Vinaigrette

The twist here: a sprinkle of fresh tarragon.

Get the recipe: Linguine With Clam Sauce

Try a pasta-and-salmon salad for a light, high-protein meal.

Get the recipe: Penne With Salmon, Arugula, and Chives

Shrimp gives even more heft to a filling puttanesca sauce.

Get the recipe: Shrimp Pasta Puttanesca

Spicy jalapeño gives this sauce an unexpected jolt.

Get the recipe: Pasta With Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Sauce