In the mood for some traditional pasta dishes? Browse my selection of delicious weeknight dinners and weekend projects spanning across Italy, from amatriciana sauce to gnocchi alla sorrentina.
Weeknight Dinners
Traditional dishes don't have to be fussy to be delicious! The following recipes are some of my favorite Italian pastas, many of which come together in just about 30 minutes.
Rigatoni all'Amatriciana
A classic for a reason, rigatoni all'amatriciana is a deeply savory pasta dish laced in a light tomato sauce with salty pecorino cheese and meaty bits of guanciale. With just six ingredients, this recipe is (mostly!) faithful to the beloved versions hailing from Amatrice and Rome.
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Spaghetti Arrabbiata
Inspired by arrabbiata sauce, this spicy spaghetti recipe is a quick weeknight dinner full of rich tomato flavor! It's made with pantry staples like olives, capers, and canned tomatoes.
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Fettuccine Alfredo Without Heavy Cream
Also known as pasta al burro e parmigiana, this is the original Italian fettuccine Alfredo recipe, made from a sauce of butter and cheese (no cream in sight)! With a few simple ingredients and a clever technique, you can make the BEST fettuccine pasta coated in a smooth and creamy sauce.
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Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
Gnocchi alla sorrentina is a comforting dish featuring delicate homemade potato gnocchi baked in a casserole with a simple tomato sauce and creamy mozzarella. Hailing from Sorrento, it's an Italian classic that's easy and versatile enough to accommodate both fresh pasta and store-bought varieties.
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Lemon Pesto
Inspired by the Italian dish spaghetti al pesto di limone, this lemon pesto pasta recipe features a creamy no-cook sauce made from fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, herbs, and plenty of cheese. It's like the brighter, more refreshing version of pasta al limone!
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Pici all'Aglione
Pici all'aglione is a traditional Italian dish of pici tossed in a tomato sauce with sweet, softly cooked garlic. It's simple, rustic, and delicious! No pici? Feel free to use a good-quality dried spaghetti or bucatini instead!
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Weekend Projects
If you're looking for a little bit more of a project, I'm featuring a few of my absolute favorite homemade pasta recipes, from fresh egg pasta to orecchiette to gnocchi.
Homemade Fresh Pasta
This fresh pasta recipe is the *best* step-by-step guide to making fresh egg pasta with your Kitchenaid Pasta attachment. We'll cover everything from flour selection to kneading to feeding through the machine. Once you learn this method, I'm confident you'll develop a deep appreciation for the soothing experience of crafting your own pasta, from fettuccine to pappardelle!
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Malloreddus (Gnocchetti Sardi) with Tomato Butter Sauce
Malloreddus, or gnocchetti sardi, is a traditional pasta shape from Sardinia with a pleasantly chewy texture and bite. Come along while I teach you an easy step-by-step process of making this delicious homemade pasta with a classic tomato butter sauce. No special equipment needed!
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Homemade Potato Gnocchi
These 5-ingredient homemade gnocchi are so light and fluffy! Russet potatoes bake until fork-tender, and the peeled potatoes are pressed through a ricer, then mixed with egg and just enough flour to form a soft dough. They have a perfect texture, ideal for pairing with delicious sauces.
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Ricotta Gnocchi in Lemon Butter Sauce
If potato gnocchi aren't your thing, you might love this ricotta variation. This 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. These tender pillows would also be delicious with my homemade basil pesto!
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Hand-Rolled Pici Pasta
These thick and chewy hand-rolled pici pasta are just as satisfying to make as they are to eat. Made simply from flour, water, olive oil, and salt, they require no special equipment or pasta machine! If you're new to making homemade pasta, this is the recipe for you! Pair with a creamy sauce or a hearty ragu.
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Egg Yolk Raviolo
This decadent egg yolk ravioli, or raviolo al uovo, features a large raviolo filled with a whole egg yolk cradled by a ring of creamy ricotta. Slice into this delicious homemade pasta, and you'll be rewarded by an oozing, runny yolk. A nutty brown butter sauce with crispy sage leaves brings this dish to the next level!
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Hand-Rolled Orecchiette
With a slightly chewy, al dente texture, homemade orecchiette is truly one of the most wonderful shapes to enjoy!I've got lots of step-by-step photos and tips to guide you along the way. Let's get started!
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Looking for more? Check out my full collection of pasta recipes!
