Creamy Pasta Recipes

Welcome to my collection of cozy, creamy pasta recipes! Whether you’re craving a rich and creamy sauce or something more light and refreshing, I've got 13 of my favorite recipes to share!

A bowl of fettuccine alfredo topped with grated parmesan cheese and black pepper with a wedge of parmesan in the background.

Rich and Creamy Pasta Sauces

From classic creamy sauces to spicy mac and cheese, we've got lots of options to satisfy your cravings!

Garlic Parmesan Pasta Sauce

A jar of thick, creamy sauce dotted with black pepper with a spoon in it.

This easy, cheesy garlic parmesan cream sauce is my go-to sauce for pizza, pasta, and so much more! It comes together in no time with pantry-friendly ingredients like heavy cream, garlic, parmesan cheese, flour, and butter.

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Garlic Parmesan Sauce (5-Ingredient Recipe)

Creamy Garlic and Mushroom Pappardelle

Pappardelle with mushrooms in a skillet topped with fresh herbs.

This weeknight dish is truly one of my favorite pasta recipes! It comes together so quickly, and there's so much flavor from the mushrooms and aromatics, and a little bit of cream elevates this dinner to a date night standout.

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Mushroom Pappardelle

Super Creamy Gochujang Pasta

A plate of pasta coated in an orange cream sauce topped with scallions with a fork.

This gochujang pasta is a delicious weeknight dinner featuring a luscious, creamy sauce with a hint of spice thanks to Korean gochujang paste.

Here's what reader Jacob said "So easy, so delicious, I made it two nights in a row - also the ingredients are inexpensive, but it feels like you're eating like royalty. 10/10 pasta!" ★★★★★

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Gochujang Pasta

Spicy Vodka Rigatoni (Carbone Copycat)

Lumache pasta coated in an orange cream sauce dotted with Calabrian chilies and fresh basil.

With 20+ ★★★★★ 5-star reviews, this vodka pasta recipe is the real deal. Inspired by Carbone's spicy rigatoni recipe, it features a a silky smooth sauce, sweet buttery onions, and a bit of heat from Calabrian chilies. Over the years, I've meticulously tested and streamlined the recipe so you can recreate this iconic dish effortlessly in the comfort of your own kitchen.

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Vodka Pasta

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

A bowl of pasta coated in a pumpkin sauce topped with herbs and cheese with a bowl of cheese in the background.

Think vodka sauce but make it fall! This 30-minute creamy pumpkin pasta features velvety pumpkin puree, a splash of heavy cream, and a hint of spice. It's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend afternoons.

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Lobster Pasta with Creamy Saffron Sauce

A skillet with spaghetti tossed in an orange sauce, lobster, and herbs.

This creamy lobster pasta is my new favorite special occasion meal, perfect for the holidays or a special Valentine's Day dinner. It features tender, soft pieces of lobster in a creamy white wine saffron sauce that is so delicious!

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Pasta with Lobster Recipe

Spicy Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

Broiled pepper jack mac and cheese with jalapenos in a cast-iron skillet.

If you're a fan of a spicy/cheesy combo, you'll LOVE this mac and cheese! Serve it stovetop style, or try my broiled variation with a crunchy topping of breadcrumbs, cheese, and pickled jalapeños.

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

Mushroom Ragù

Bowl of creamy mushroom ragu with plates in the background.

This slow-cooked mushroom ragù with pasta is so flavorful and well-balanced, featuring earthy mushrooms simmering in a rich sauce made with mushrooms, white wine, and cream. It's an impressive dish you won't forget!

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Mushroom Ragù

Ricotta Gnocchi in Lemon Butter Sauce

Plate of ricotta gnocchi with black pepper, herbs, and a lemon wedge.

This homemade ricotta gnocchi recipe features creamy, melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi paired with a buttery lemon pepper sauce. The inspiration for this dish comes from ndunderi (a type of ricotta gnocchi) from the Amalfi Coast of Italy, where lemons are plentiful.

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Ricotta Gnocchi

Light and Creamy Sauces

Comfort food doesn't always have to feel heavy! These pasta sauces yield a "creamy" texture without the use of cream.

Salmon Pasta Without Cream

A bowl of spaghetti tossed in a yogurt cream sauce with pieces of salmon and a lemon wedge.

You'll love this salmon pasta, featuring lots of garlic, shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon, and flaky salmon. Thanks to the magic of pasta water and a touch of yogurt, the resulting dish has a velvety, creamy texture that still feels light!

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Salmon Pasta Without Cream

Lemon Pesto Pasta

Bowl of spaghetti with a fork garnished with parmesan cheese and herbs.

This easy recipe features a no-cook sauce made from fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, herbs, and plenty of cheese. It's an easy dinner that comes together in just about 30 minutes.

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Lemon Pesto

Gochujang Pasta e Ceci

A dutch oven with a stew of chickpeas and pasta with a wooden spoon in it.

Creamy gochujang pasta e ceci has hints of gochujang, soft chickpeas, garlic, rosemary, and onion simmering in a rustic, creamy, brothy stew. It's a one-pot dish that is so much more than the sum of its parts!

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Gochujang Pasta e Ceci

Traditional Fettuccine Alfredo

A plate of fettuccine alfredo with a spoon and a fork in it and a cutting board with cheese in the background.

Did you know that traditional fettuccine alfredo doesn't use cream? Yep, the real recipe forms a luxurious sauce with the use of parmesan cheese and starchy pasta water. With a few simple ingredients and a clever technique, you can make the BEST creamy alfredo sauce! It's elegant, impressive, and ready in less than 30 minutes!

🧑‍🍳 Get the recipe: Fettucine Alfredo Without Cream