Say goodbye to store-bought pasta sauces and hello to authentic Italian cooking with these 21 easy pasta recipes. Inspired by generations of Nonnas, these dishes are about going back to basics and letting the flavors shine. Whether you’re cooking for one or a whole family, these recipes are about making each meal a celebration of simplicity and taste. Let’s bring the warmth of Italian tradition into your home, one plate of pasta at a time.

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

When you want a meal that feels like it’s straight from Nonna’s kitchen but doesn’t have all night to cook, the Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is a winner. It mixes hearty beef and pasta all in one pot, making both cooking and cleanup easy. This dish is a family favorite, offering up home-cooked Italian tradition on even the busiest of weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Low Carb Gnocchi with Fresh Spinach Sauce

Keeping it traditional yet light, the Low Carb Gnocchi with Fresh Spinach Sauce brings a piece of Italy to your table without the extra carbs. This dish captures the essence of Italian cooking with its fresh, vibrant flavors, proving that tradition can meet modern health trends. It’s a quick, nourishing option that doesn’t skimp on the comforting taste of home.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Gnocchi with Fresh Spinach Sauce

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

For those days when you’re craving the coziness of Italian comfort food but need the convenience of a slow cooker, Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a dream come true. It combines the rich flavors of a restaurant meal with the ease of a set-it-and-forget-it recipe. By dinnertime, you’re greeted with a dish that tastes like it spent hours in Nonna’s kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta

Enjoy a comforting, cheesy delight with Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta, where tradition meets modern health-conscious eating. This dish puts a new spin on classic baked pasta, using Palmini for a low-carb alternative that still tastes like it came from an Italian grandmother’s kitchen. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to indulge healthily, blending rich flavors with lighter ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

If you love cheese and pepper, Bucatini Cacio e Pepe is like getting a warm hug from your Italian grandma. It’s super simple, with just a few ingredients, but it tastes amazing. You twirl the bucatini noodles and get a little bit of spicy pepper and sharp cheese with every bite. It’s a classic, easy dish that feels fancy without all the hard work.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Low Carb Lasagna with Ground Beef

Imagine eating a big slice of lasagna that tastes just like what Nonna makes, but it’s low-carb. That’s what you get with Low Carb Lasagna with Ground Beef. It’s got all the meat, cheese, and tomato sauce you love layered between noodles that won’t mess with your carb count. It’s a smart way to enjoy a big, comforting meal without feeling like you overdid it.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Lasagna with Ground Beef

Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta is a dish that lights up your dinner table with flavors. Picture this: pasta covered in a sauce made of melted butter, zesty lemon, and just the right touch of garlic. It’s like a quick trip to Italy on a weeknight. This pasta is all about bringing bright, fresh tastes into a meal that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

With Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad, you’re tossing together something quick, tasty, and a bit Italian. You take some rotisserie chicken, chop it up, and mix it with pasta and whatever fresh veggies you like. Dress it up with a tangy dressing, and boom, you’ve got a salad that’s ready to go. It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or whenever you need a meal that doesn’t take forever to make.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Mexican Macaroni Salad

If you’re looking for a unique twist on a classic dish, try adding some Mexican flair to your macaroni salad. This dish may not sound like an Italian pasta, but it’s made with the same ingredients, which makes it an exciting experience for your taste buds. Imagine your typical macaroni salad, but with bold Mexican flavors. It’s a colorful and zesty option for those who are feeling adventurous.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad

Low Carb Gnocchi Tomato Basil

Try our Low Carb Gnocchi Tomato Basil for those nights when you want something that tastes like it’s been simmering in Nonna’s kitchen all day but is still good for you. It’s gnocchi, but not the kind that weighs you down, all dressed up in a tomato basil sauce that’s bright and full of flavor. This dish is a clever way to enjoy a classic Italian favorite without the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Gnocchi Tomato Basil

Lobster Ravioli Sauce

Lobster Ravioli Sauce makes any pasta dish feel like a special occasion. It’s rich, it’s creamy, and it’s got that fancy lobster flavor that makes you think you’re at a fancy Italian restaurant. But you’re not; you’re at home, enjoying a dish that’s all about treating yourself. This sauce is like Nonna’s way of saying, “You deserve something a little fancy now and then.”
Get the Recipe: Lobster Ravioli Sauce

Sausage Mac and Cheese

Take a look at what happens when you take two comfort foods and bring them together. Sausage Mac and Cheese is cheesy, hearty, and the sausage adds a bit of an Italian twist. This dish is like a big, warm hug in a bowl. It’s perfect for those days when you need a little extra comfort and want something that reminds you of home.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese

Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi

If you’ve got a thing for gnocchi and love garlic and herbs, Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi is like a dream come true. This dish tosses soft gnocchi in a rich sauce full of garlic and herbs, all mixed up with butter that melts right in. It’s the kind of meal you’d expect to smell walking into Nonna’s kitchen, ready in minutes and packed with flavors that make you feel right at home.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Butter Gnocchi

Spinach Artichoke Feta Lasagna

Spinach Artichoke Feta Lasagna turns the classic lasagna into something fresh and exciting. Imagine layers of noodles with creamy spinach and artichokes, all held together with tangy feta cheese. It’s a twist on tradition that still feels like something Nonna might make if she was feeling a bit adventurous. This lasagna is a hearty, veggie-packed meal that’s sure to please everyone.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Feta Lasagna

Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

For a creamy twist on a classic, Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese mixes in a bit of tanginess and extra protein. This dish swaps out some of the usual cheese for Greek yogurt, making it creamier and a bit healthier. It’s like Nonna decided to put a new spin on her famous mac and cheese, creating something both comforting and a little bit lighter. Perfect for when you want to indulge smartly.
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

Salmon Pasta Salad

Salmon Pasta Salad is a refreshing change from the usual pasta routine. With chunks of tender salmon mixed through, it’s a salad that feels more like a main course. This dish brings together the best of Italian flavors with a hint of something special from the sea. It’s like Nonna went to the market, saw the fresh salmon, and decided today’s meal needed to be a little bit special.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

When you want something simple but packed with flavor, Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino is the way to go. It’s pasta tossed with garlic, olive oil, and a bit of chili pepper for heat. This dish is all about those nights when Nonna would make a meal out of what seemed like nothing, turning simple ingredients into something magical. It’s easy, quick, and deliciously spicy.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Brussels Sprouts Pasta

This dish is for those days when you want comfort food but also need your veggies. Brussels Sprouts Pasta is not your typical Italian dish, but it’s something Nonna would approve of if she was into mixing things up. It brings together the hearty, nutty flavor of Brussels sprouts with pasta in a way that’s both satisfying and a little bit different.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Pasta

Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes

Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes is a dish that looks as good as it tastes. It’s got chunks of pink salmon and bright, juicy cherry tomatoes mixed with penne pasta. This dish is like a summer day in Italy, fresh and full of color. It’s the kind of meal that Nonna might make if she was trying to impress guests, showing off the best flavors of the season.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes

Pesto Orzo Salad

This light, flavorful option is perfect for a side dish or a quick lunch. It mixes orzo pasta with fresh, green pesto and whatever veggies you like. This salad is like a bowl full of summer: easy to throw together and always refreshing. Pesto Orzo Salad is the sort of dish that Nonna might make for a family picnic, full of flavors that everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Mozzarella and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Looking for a delicious variation of the classic comfort food? Then try our Mozzarella and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese which combines the stretchy and creamy texture of mozzarella cheese with the sharpness of white cheddar cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food for a cozy family gathering, and it’s similar to the kind of dish that your grandmother would make.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese