You've never noticed this hidden secret in your pasta box (2024)

Worst LasagneThe idea for this sausage lasagna recipe came from my mother-in-law, who always makes it for my three boys on special holidays. I put a little twist on Carole's classic dish and it has become one of my favorite dinners too! —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VAGo to recipe

Fried Pasta BeansConceptfriedmeans 'baked pasta with beans'. But my busy family translates it as “super satisfying dinner.” –Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois

Make your own marinara with our guide tohow to make pasta sauce.

Nutmeg and cherries are the new 'it' couple. That's the secret that makes this angel hair pasta dish real. My vegetarian friend likes it just as much without the chicken. —Mary Ann Sander, Centralia, Missouri

Pork medallions with cognac cream sauceI adapted this simple, elegant appetizer from a recipe my mother-in-law made for our family. Cayenne pepper adds a little spice to its rich, creamy sauce. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

Blushing Penne PastaI reworked this recipe from an original recipe that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family found it hard to believe that a sauce this rich, flavorful, and creamy could be easy. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

Spring PeperricottaGarlic, peppers and herbs top the creamy ricotta cheese in this meatless skillet that you can make in just 20 minutes. – Janet Boulger, Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador

Shrimp PuttanescaI throw these bold ingredients together for a spicy seafood pasta. —Lynda Balslev, Sausalito, California

With a tomato-y meat sauce and spicy goat cheese, this weekend wonder is my version of comfort food. You get bowl after bowl. —Lizzie Munro, Brooklyn, New York

Basil-Lemon Crab LinguineI always add spices to pasta to really enhance the flavor. This linguine looks and tastes like it came from a five-star restaurant. We love it. —Tonya Burkhard, Palm Coast, Florida. Do you like Italian food? Here is the list of thembest Italian restaurantin every state.

Loaded Chicken Carbonara CupsSpaghetti Cupcakes with Chicken Carbonara Twist make a tasty, fun family dinner. Whole wheat pasta and low-fat ingredients also make these quick and easy little pasta cookies nutritional winners. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Sicilian meat saucePeople have told me this is better than the sauce their Sicilian grandmothers used to make. But don't tell that to the old generation! – Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

Artichoke Florentine PastaPasta filled with artichokes and creamy cheese is everything a Sunday dinner should be: rich, tasty and unforgettable. Add cooked chicken, shrimp or crab if you like. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

Flavorful sausage and sun-dried tomatoes will spice up any simple pasta dish. I have a feeling once you try it, it will become a family favorite! – Dawn Singleton, Eighty-four, Pennsylvania

While sailing in the Mediterranean we tasted a lemony artichoke paste. I developed my own version of what our guests love. Try it with shrimp and kalamata olives. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

Mediterranean dishes are always a good idea. From light orzo salads to sweet baklava, this oneMediterranean recipestakes you to the sea.

Spicy vegetarian pasta bagMy father always cooked with cast iron pots, so when I do, I think of his amazing culinary skills. I keep the tradition alive with my vegetable pasta. —Sonya Goergen, Moorhead, Minnesota

I was short on time, but wanted to make an elegant dinner for my husband and me. That evening we had this simple pasta with spicy sausage and our kale in the main role. –Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey

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I made this tempting seafood pasta for my wife. It's a great meal served with crispy sourdough. If you don't like spicy, skip the red pepper flakes. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California

Stuffed shells from the slow cookerYou don't need to pre-cook the shells for this simple pasta dish. It's almost like magic when you open the lid and see the deliciousness inside the slow cooker. Add garlic bread and you're golden brown! —Sherry Day, Pinckney, Michigan

Lasagna from one frying panThis is undoubtedly one of the best frying panslasagna recipesour test panel has ever tasted. And with classic flavors and cheesy layers, it's definitely kid-friendly. —Taste of homeTaste cuisine

Muffuletta pastaA friend gave me this recipe when she heard that I love muffuletta sandwiches. Very rich and filling, this easy skillet dinner comes together quickly on a busy day. Serve with some cheesy garlic bread. —Jan Hollingsworth, Houston, Mississippi

Slow cooking pasta sauceSpaghetti with sauce is my kids' favorite dinner, so through trial and error I came up with my own recipe. This is the winning result. I love that it is made in a slow cooker. -Samantha Vicars, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Traditional lasagnaMy family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's house on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition too. I also prepare it at other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is often requested by my sister's Italian in-laws, which I think is the biggest compliment! —Lorri f*ckle, Granville, Illinois

Authentic Pasta CarbonaraDuring my culinary internship in Tuscany I learned that real Italian cuisine is simpler than you think! This carbonara is quick, simple and delicious, just the way they like it in Italy. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

Baked Ziti with cheeseThis pasta dish, made with Alfredo sauce, is deliciously different from typical tomato-based recipes. Extra cheesy, it comes together quickly and is always popular at potlucks. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Eggplant Sausage CasseroleIf you want your children to enjoy eating their eggplant, serve it in this beautiful layered casserole. Our whole family enjoys it. Always a popular potluck item, but also a great company dish. —Carol Mieske, Red Bluff, California

Vodka PensThis easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I invite new guests over for dinner. Many friends have asked me to recreate the recipe years after they first tried it. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas

Artichoke Blue Cheese FettuccineStore-bought Alfredo sauce speeds along this flavorful, meatless appetizer. I use dry pasta, but you can use refrigerated fettuccine to make this recipe even faster. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia

I made this creamy pasta dish when I needed some marinara. Red pepper flakes give it a little heat, which my family loves. It's super versatile, so try it with chicken, or mix in some fresh basil. —Lorri Stout, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Shrimp Alfredo FettuccineFettuccine Alfredo has been around for centuries. I give it a modern update by adding tender shrimp and a little lemon. —Tonya Burkhard, Davis, Ill

Garnalen TomatoMy husband and I have hectic schedules, so I'm always looking for quick meals for special occasions. Shrimp with garlic, tomatoes and pasta are a winner. —Catherine Jensen, Blytheville, Arkansas

Four-cheese sausage RigatoniTo put this twist on traditional baked pasta, we start with creamy goat cheese and build up from there with mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio

Pesto-lasagneThe bright flavor of basil takes center stage in this pesto lasagna. Combined with a rich cheese sauce and layers of noodles, it's a stew that will have guests asking for the recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Italian wedding soupIn a classic Italian wedding soup, the meat unites the vegetables in a broth. You can adjust the type of meat and vegetables to your liking. Chicken goes well with the salty trio of onion, carrot and celery, with meatballs and spinach in supporting roles. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania

Italian sausage with a bowWe often have our favorite pasta when company comes over, and I've shared this Italian sausage recipe several times. Now many of my friends make it for their families too. - Janelle Moore, Auburn, Washington

I love making healthy meals with ingredients from my last trip to the farmers market. This pasta only takes 30 minutes from pantry to dinner table. You can easily turn it into a meat dish by adding cooked, shredded chicken. —Jerilyn Korver, Bellflower, California

I learned to make this dish from friends in Genoa, Italy, where they are known for making tasty combinations of vegetables, pasta, and beans. You can use feta cheese to give this a Greek twist. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Gnocchi with white beansHere's one of the completely effortless onesgnocchirecipes that you can throw together and cook in a skillet. Ideal for a busy day, but also delicious with crumbled Italian chicken sausage if you want to please meat lovers. —Julianne Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia

Hearty vegetable-beef raguThis recipe is healthy yet satisfying, quick yet delicious. It's on the table in less than 30 minutes and my kids will gobble it up! If you don't like kale, stir in baby spinach or chopped broccoli. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey

Italian hot dishMy husband had a bad perception of healthy eating until he tried this beef stew. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green pepper makes it a favoritehealthy pasta recipei love man. -Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, WI

Competition Winning Chicken CacciatoreMy husband and I own and operate a busy farm. There are days when there's just no time left to cook! It's really nice to be able to come in at night and smell this delicious chicken cacciatore from the slow cooker. –Aggie Arnold-Norman, Liberty, PA

Pasta with Chicken Pesto from one potWhen my garden basil goes crazy, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for just the right occasion, like this one-pot juicy chicken pesto pasta recipe. —Kimberly Fenwick, Hobart, Indiana

Whenever I get a craving for homemade tomato sauce, I make a juicy batch to toss with chicken and veggies. The flavors also work wonders for pens. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland. Also try this authentic oneItalian tomato sauce.

Using cream cheese to enhance the sauce speeds up the cooking time and means you can eat my version of this old classic carbonara recipe in about 30 minutes. —Celeste Brantolino, Lenoir, North Carolina

Italian shrimp and pastaThis dish is somewhat reminiscent of the classic shrimp creole, but has a surprising Italian twist. Slow cooking makes it easy to care for - perfect for company. —Karen Edwards, Sanford, Maine

Scallops with LinguineA buttery garlic sauce zips up a bowl full of linguine, bay clams and vegetables. Celebrate something special or toast the end of another working day with this dish, perfect for two. —Paula Jones, Brooksville, Fla

Devilish HummerI've been cooking lobster alla diavola (devilish style) since I first got married. At family parties we serve lobster, usually with linguine or capellini. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida

One-pot Saucy Beef RotiniMy husband loves pasta, but I cringe at the messy dishes. Now, on “Spaghetti Day,” as he calls it, I make a spicy one-pot rotini that will make everyone happy. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Italian sausage with artichokes and fetaTo impress the guests, we serve Italian sausage and artichoke hearts with pasta. It tastes like a gastronomic masterpiece and also works with rice or potatoes. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the old spaghetti factory with my family and ordering a big plate of cheese spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread. My homemade recipe reminds me of the good times and satisfies everyone's craving for good Italian food. – Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona

Spicy sausage RigatoniMy inspiration for this recipe came from a Cajun pasta dish that I make with black chicken, but here I substitute Italian sausage. I like this dish. It provides a hearty meal that will warm you up. —Toni Dishman, Mooresville, North Carolina

Quick-cooking red mussel sauceThis recipe tastes like you've been making it all day. What a stylish way to brighten it upPastasauce! —JoAnn Brown, LaTrobe, Pennsylvania

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I created this one-pot spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on prep time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes up the nutritional factor, while the lemon and parsley make it all pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Best lasagnaWant to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this delicious meat lasagna recipe. My adult sons and daughter-in-law also ask for it for their birthdays. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Ill

Following:Enjoy this easy and delicious oneravioli-recepten.