Pasta is one of those rare foods that works for every occasion - a lazy Tuesday night, a dinner party, or a 20-minute emergency meal. But with hundreds of recipes out there, it's easy to get stuck making the same thing on repeat. This roundup brings together the 10 best pasta recipes from What's in the Pan - each one tested, refined, and built around bold flavor, simple technique, and weeknight practicality.
Before You Start: The Pasta Basics That Actually Matter
Great pasta isn't just about the sauce. A few foundational habits separate a forgettable bowl from one you'll crave all week.
Salt your water generously. Pasta water should taste like the sea - this is your only real chance to season the pasta itself. If you're unsure whether to reach for kosher or table salt, this breakdown of kosher salt vs. table salt explains the difference and why most cooks prefer kosher salt for pasta water.
Cook the right amount. Pasta is deceptively easy to over- or under-portion. Before you start, check how much pasta per person to get accurate measurements for 2, 4, or 6 servings - whether you're cooking dry or fresh.
Don't drain all that pasta water. The starchy, salty cooking liquid is liquid gold for building silky, clingy sauces. Learn exactly how to emulsify pasta sauce with pasta water - it's the single technique that will instantly upgrade every recipe on this list.
The 10 Best Pasta Recipes
Creamy Chicken Bacon Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes
Watch how to make #1 Pasta Dish right here:
Creamy Chicken Pasta in White Wine Parmesan Cheese Sauce
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Smoked Sausage
Pesto Shrimp Fettuccine
Sausage Bolognese Ala Vodka
Chicken Lazone
Louisiana Chicken Pasta
Creamy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Pasta Da Vinci in Madeira Sauce
How to Build on These Recipes
These 10 dishes are a strong foundation, but they're just the beginning. If you want to go deeper into pasta technique, sauce building, pasta shapes, and more, the Complete Guide to Pasta Recipes covers everything from matching pasta shapes to sauces to making fresh pasta from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular pasta recipe?
Creamy Chicken Pasta and Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon and Spinach (Easy 30-Minute Dinner) consistently rank among the most-searched and most-cooked pasta recipes. Both rely on simple ingredients and technique over complexity.
What pasta is best for beginners?
Garlic Butter Spaghetti and Creamy Beef Pasta - both use pantry staples and teach the fundamentals of building a sauce in the pan.
How do I keep pasta from sticking together?
Toss it with a bit of sauce immediately after draining. Don't rinse it - rinsing washes off the starch that helps sauce cling.
Can I make pasta sauce without cream?
Absolutely. Pasta water emulsified with olive oil or butter creates a naturally silky, creamy sauce without any dairy. See the full technique here.
How far ahead can I make pasta?
Most sauces can be made 3-5 days ahead and Cook the pasta fresh and combine just before serving for best texture.
Cindy says
Love all the technique articles especially about using pasta water - you should also write about sauces more.
Olya Shepard says
Sauce tutorials and guides are already in the works!
Echo Tillman says
I would love it if you would consider my vegan pasta recipes for a spot in the top 10. Here I see too much meat; all of y recipes are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. I'd really appreciate it of you try my:
Chick'n parmesan
Baked Ziti
Arabbiata
Mac and cheese
Pesto
Trust me, if you give them a chance, you'll love them. They are all available on my blog, Vegan Empire (veganempire.net)!
Olya Shepard says
Great idea I am definitely considering