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!
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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! And PS, check out my full collection of traditional pasta recipes!
🧑🍳 Get the recipe: Fettucine Alfredo Without Cream
