Pasta

A plate of pasta is a comfort food for many people. It can be a simple dish of spaghetti and tomato sauce or a more complex dish with multiple ingredients. Pasta recipes have been around for centuries and have been passed down from generation to generation.

The earliest known written mention of pasta is from the 10th century. It is believed that pasta was first made in China and then brought to Italy by Marco Polo. The Italians were the first to mass-produce pasta and it quickly became a staple food.

There are many different types of pasta and each region of Italy has its own specialties. In the north, where wheat is more plentiful, pasta is made with egg and is often served with a creamy sauce. In the south, where tomatoes are more plentiful, pasta is often served with a tomato-based sauce.

Advice

When making pasta, it is important to use the right ingredients and cooking techniques. First, always use a good quality pasta, such as Italian durum wheat or semolina pasta. You may also want to add a bit of salt to the boiling water. Once the pasta is cooked, it is important to drain it properly. Do not rinse it under cold water as this can wash away some of the flavor. Lastly, make sure to add a bit of olive oil to the cooked pasta to help prevent it from sticking together.

Questions

What are the 4 types of pasta?

1. Spaghetti 2. Fettuccine 3. Penne 4. Ravioli

What are the 12 types of pasta?

1. Macaroni 2. Spaghetti 3. Fettuccine 4. Lasagna 5. Ravioli 6. Linguine 7. Penne 8. Tagliatelle 9. Farfalle 10. Cannelloni 11. Gnocchi 12. Tortellini

What are the top 10 pastas?

1. Spaghetti 2. Fettuccine 3. Penne 4. Lasagna 5. Rigatoni 6. Farfalle 7. Ravioli 8. Gnocchi 9. Shells 10. Bow-Tie pasta

What are the 4 famous Italian pastas?

1. Penne 2. Spaghetti 3. Fettuccine 4. Ravioli

What are the three most popular pasta?

1. Spaghetti 2. Penne 3. Fettuccine

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

 

Caramelized Shallot Pasta

5/5 - 14287 votes

• salt
• salt
• parsley
• red pepper flake
• anchovy
• tube
• pasta
• olive oil
• garlic
• shallot

 

Summer Pasta With Zucchini, Ricotta and Basil

5/5 - 6295 votes

• olive oil
• salt
• lemon zest
• basil
• ziti
• onion
• red pepper
• parmesan cheese
• zucchini
• garlic
• ricotta cheese

 

Creamy Chickpea Pasta With Spinach and Rosemary

5/5 - 4931 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• lemon
• heavy cream
• chickpea
• spinach
• shallot
• spaghetti
• parmesan cheese
• aleppo pepper
• olive oil
• rosemary
• garlic

 

Five-Ingredient Creamy Miso Pasta

5/5 - 4408 votes

• kizami nori
• salt
• spaghetti
• white miso
• parmesan cheese
• butter

 

Pasta Primavera With Asparagus and Peas

5/5 - 4290 votes

• tarragon
• crème fraîche
• asparagus
• salt
• fettuccine
• spring onion
• sugar snap pea
• butter
• garlic
• parmesan cheese
• parsley
• english pea
• black pepper

 

Creamy One-Pot Pasta With Chicken and Mushrooms

5/5 - 4145 votes

• parsley
• parmesan cheese
• salt
• garlic
• shallot
• white wine
• pasta like gemelli
• mushroom
• olive oil
• chicken thigh
• chicken

 

Cheesy Baked Pasta With Sausage and Ricotta

5/5 - 4081 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• oregano
• tomato
• tomato
• pasta
• fennel seed
• parmesan cheese
• basil
• red pepper flake
• bay leaf
• olive oil
• hot
• garlic
• ricotta cheese
• mozzarella cheese

 

Midnight Pasta With Garlic, Anchovy, Capers and Red Pepper

5/5 - 3340 votes

• parmesan cheese
• salt
• caper
• spaghetti
• red pepper flake
• parsley
• olive oil
• anchovy
• garlic

 

One-Pot Pasta With Ricotta and Lemon

4/5 - 10264 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• red pepper flake
• parmesan cheese
• ricotta cheese
• short
• lemon zest lemon juice
• basil

 

Pasta alla Norma

5/5 - 3170 votes

• olive oil
• salt
• pasta
• garlic
• oregano
• eggplant
• tomato
• parsley
• ricotta salata
• chile

 

Pasta e Ceci (Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew)

4/5 - 6313 votes

• pecorino romano cheese
• salt
• ditalini
• chickpea
• onion
• tomato
• red pepper flake
• rosemary
• olive oil
• garlic
• escarole

 

Lemony Pasta With Chickpeas and Parsley

5/5 - 2533 votes

• lemon zest
• black pepper
• salt
• rosemary
• butter
• chickpea liquid
• onion
• olive oil
• red pepper flake
• chickpea
• garlic
• parmesan cheese
• parsley
• wheat fusilli

 

Creamy Turmeric Pasta

5/5 - 2459 votes

• salt
• half
• spaghetti
• shallot
• turmeric
• parmesan cheese
• butter
• garlic
• parsley

 

Spicy Butternut Squash Pasta With Spinach

4/5 - 5172 votes

• salt
• vegetable broth
• penne pasta
• cumin
• jalapeño
• butternut squash
• red pepper flake
• parsley
• olive oil
• spinach
• parmesan cheese
• ball mozzarella

 

Pasta With Kale Pesto and Roasted Butternut Squash

5/5 - 2299 votes

• lemon zest
• black pepper
• lemon juice
• parmesan cheese
• lacinato kale
• butternut squash
• olive oil
• pine nut
• garlic
• salt
• pasta

 

Sausage and Peppers Pasta With Broccoli

4/5 - 3558 votes

• salt
• broccoli
• rigatoni
• sweet italian pork sausage
• parmesan cheese
• red pepper flake
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• yellow bell pepper
• garlic

 

Baked Spinach-Artichoke Pasta

4/5 - 3467 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• artichoke heart
• spinach
• red pepper flake
• heavy cream
• olive oil
• garlic
• mozzarella cheese
• parmesan cheese
• pasta shell

 

One-Pot Zucchini-Basil Pasta

5/5 - 1834 votes

• salt
• garlic
• pasta shell
• basil
• zucchini
• vegetable stock
• italian parsley
• almond
• mascarpone cheese

 

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

5/5 - 1602 votes

• green onion
• heavy cream
• parmesan cheese
• basil
• salt
• garlic powder
• black pepper
• butter
• tomato
• cajun seasoning
• chicken breast
• linguine

 

Pasta With Fresh Tomato Sauce and Ricotta

5/5 - 1798 votes

• basil
• red pepper
• pecorino romano cheese
• salt
• pasta
• butter
• tomato sauce
• ultra ricotta

 

Cannellini-Bean Pasta With Beurre Blanc

4/5 - 3378 votes

• parmesan cheese
• salt
• pasta
• cannellini bean
• shallot
• white wine
• white wine vinegar
• chicken
• butter

 

Pasta With Garlicky Spinach and Buttered Pistachios

5/5 - 1735 votes

• parmesan cheese
• salt
• mezze rigatoni
• swiss chard
• pistachio
• caper
• butter
• garlic

 

Baked Spanakopita Pasta With Greens and Feta

4/5 - 3063 votes

• salt
• dill
• curvy pasta
• butter
• arugula
• spinach
• feta
• mozzarella cheese
• garlic
• green onion
• cream cheese

 

Kale-Sauce Pasta

4/5 - 2936 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• lacinato kale
• pasta
• olive oil
• garlic
• parmesan cheese

 

Pasta e Fagioli

5/5 - 1433 votes

• bouquet garni made
• salt
• olive oil
• tomato paste
• tomato
• onion
• simmered pintos bean
• red pepper
• rosemary
• sugar
• parmesan cheese
• garlic
• parsley
• elbow macaroni

 

Pasta With Anchovies, Garlic, Chiles and Kale

5/5 - 1432 votes

• black pepper
• parmesan cheese
• salt
• lemon squeeze
• kale
• pasta
• red pepper flake
• caper
• olive oil
• anchovy
• garlic

 

Spicy and Saucy Cherry Tomato Pasta

5/5 - 1365 votes

• ricotta cheese
• salt
• cherry tomato
• basil
• orecchiette
• red pepper flake
• caper
• tomato paste
• garlic
• olive oil

 

Pasta With Caramelized Cabbage, Anchovies and Bread Crumbs

5/5 - 1318 votes

• salt
• penne pasta
• sage
• bread crumb
• red pepper flake
• olive oil
• black pepper
• butter
• pecorino romano cheese
• anchovy
• garlic
• cabbage

 

Pasta With Bacon, Cheese, Lemon and Pine Nuts

5/5 - 1317 votes

• parsley
• salt
• hot red pepper flake
• lemon
• pasta
• pine nut
• parmesan cheese
• butter
• thickly bacon

 

Pasta per la pizza

4.2/5 - 1261 votes

• acqua temperatura ambiente
• farina
• farina manitoba
• lievito di birra fresco
• sale fino

 

Creamy One-Pot Mushroom and Leek Pasta

4/5 - 2460 votes

• salt
• ricotta cheese
• short pasta
• leek
• lemon
• parsley
• red pepper flake
• butter
• garlic
• mushroom
• olive oil
• vegetable stock

 

Pasta alla Genovese

5/5 - 1156 votes

• parmesan cheese
• salt
• pasta
• celery
• olive oil
• white wine
• bacon
• carrot
• beef
• onion

 

Pasta With Roasted Cauliflower and Blue Cheese

5/5 - 1089 votes

• lemon juice
• thyme
• black pepper
• cauliflower
• leek
• olive oil
• chive
• garlic
• butter
• salt
• gorgonzola dolce
• short pasta campanelle

 

Pasta With Cauliflower, Bacon and Sage

5/5 - 1088 votes

• salt
• lemon juice
• short pasta
• cauliflower
• sage
• parmesan cheese
• bacon
• olive oil

 

Pasta With Spicy Sausage, Broccoli Rabe and Chickpeas

5/5 - 1032 votes

• salt
• italian sausage
• shaped pasta
• chickpea
• lemon
• broccoli rabe
• white wine
• parmesan cheese
• olive oil
• butter
• garlic

 

Homemade Pasta

4.97/5 - 678 votes

• olive oil
• salt
• all purpose flour
• egg

 

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta With Sage and Walnuts

4/5 - 2074 votes

• salt
• chicken
• short pasta
• lemon
• parmesan cheese
• garlic
• butternut squash
• walnut
• sage
• olive oil

 

Pasta With Portobello Mushrooms

5/5 - 995 votes

• parmesan cheese
• salt
• penne pasta
• olive oil
• porcini mushroom
• thyme
• tomato
• garlic
• portobello mushroom

 

Seared Scallop Pasta With Burst Tomatoes and Herbs

4/5 - 2032 votes

• salt
• scallop
• linguine fini
• herb
• sun gold
• red pepper flake
• garlic
• shallot
• olive oil

 

Easy Lemon Pasta with Chicken

4.2/5 - 508 votes

• salt
• penne pasta
• parmesan cheese
• red pepper flake
• chicken cutlet
• lemon
• olive oil
• parsley
• garlic

 

Baked Alfredo Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Lemon

4/5 - 1998 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• heavy cream
• casarecce
• lemon zest
• broccoli rabe
• garlic
• panko bread crumb
• parmesan cheese
• mozzarella cheese
• butter

 

Blistered Broccoli Pasta With Walnuts, Pecorino and Mint

5/5 - 947 votes

• salt
• mint
• broccoli
• lemon
• riccioli
• pecorino romano cheese
• olive oil
• walnut
• red pepper flake

 

Lobster Pasta With Yellow Tomatoes and Basil

5/5 - 935 votes

• salt
• pasta
• red pepper flake
• yellow tomato
• basil
• shallot
• olive oil
• garlic
• pound lobster meat

 

Caramelized Corn and Asparagus Pasta With Ricotta

5/5 - 878 votes

• salt
• ricotta cheese
• spaghetti
• lemon
• white wine
• olive oil
• sugar
• asparagus
• turmeric
• corn
• garlic
• green onion
• butter

 

Pasta With Green Beans and Almond Gremolata

5/5 - 860 votes

• GREMOLATA
• salt
• celery
• lemon zest
• garlic
• almond
• PASTA
• salt
• gemelli
• red pepper flake
• pecorino romano cheese
• olive oil
• garlic
• string bean
• butter

 

Baked Artichoke Pasta With Creamy Goat Cheese

4/5 - 1825 votes

• salt
• dill
• parsley
• fusilli
• black pepper
• green onion
• parmesan cheese
• red pepper flake
• fried onion
• olive oil
• artichoke heart
• garlic
• goat cheese
• mozzarella cheese
• cream cheese

 

Pasta With Sausage, Squash and Sage Brown Butter

4/5 - 1824 votes

• salt
• tubed pasta
• hot italian sausage link
• parmesan cheese
• olive oil
• butternut squash
• butter
• sage

 

Pasta al Limone

4.7/5 - 351 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• lemon
• spaghetti
• parmesan cheese
• heavy cream
• butter

 

Midnight Pasta With Roasted Garlic, Olive Oil and Chile

4/5 - 1796 votes

• black pepper
• parmesan cheese
• salt
• parsley
• spaghetti
• garlic
• olive oil
• red pepper flake

 

Creamy Asparagus Pasta

4/5 - 1794 votes

• salt
• rigatoni
• salt
• sesame oil
• black pepper
• rice vinegar
• onion
• heavy cream
• asparagus
• dasima
• garlic
• gim

 

One-Pot Pasta With Sausage and Spinach

4/5 - 1775 votes

• salt
• cavatappi
• olive oil
• passata
• parmesan cheese
• cumin
• red pepper flake
• italian sausage
• spinach

 

Broccoli-Walnut Pesto Pasta

4/5 - 1760 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• parmesan cheese
• pasta
• garlic
• lemon
• olive oil
• walnut
• mint
• broccoli

 

Pasta alla gricia

4.4/5 - 538 votes

• guanciale
• pecorino romano da grattugiare
• pepe nero
• rigatoni
• sale fino

 

Tahini-Parmesan Pasta Salad

4/5 - 1683 votes

• salt
• ridged
• mint
• tahini
• olive oil
• sesame seed
• grape tomato
• green onion
• parmesan cheese

 

Pasta With Zucchini, Feta and Fried Lemon

4/5 - 1676 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• parsley
• lemon
• zucchini
• walnut
• olive oil
• feta
• caper
• oregano
• large leek
• pasta

 

Creamed Spinach Pasta

4/5 - 1656 votes

• pecorino romano cheese
• salt
• heavy cream
• ricotta cheese
• spinach
• pasta
• nutmeg
• pine nut
• garlic
• butter

 

Pasta With Brown Butter and Parmesan

4/5 - 1641 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• parmesan cheese
• spaghetti
• butter

 

Cheesy Baked Pumpkin Pasta With Kale

4/5 - 1632 votes

• fontina cheese
• gruyère cheese
• parmesan cheese
• butter
• pasta shell
• salt
• pumpkin
• kale
• rosemary
• thyme
• heavy cream
• ricotta cheese
• black pepper
• red pepper flake
• vegetable broth
• garlic

 

Pasta With Tuna, Capers and Scallions

4/5 - 1624 votes

• lemon
• red pepper flake
• salt
• herb
• tuna
• linguine
• caper
• olive oil
• garlic
• green onion
• anchovy

  Moms Dish

Broccoli Mushroom Alfredo Pasta

4.81/5 - 1718 votes

• mushroom
• garlic parley salt
• light olive oil
• parmesan cheese
• broccoli
• pasta
• whipping cream
• garlic

 

Simplest Basil Zucchini Parmesan Pasta

4.33/5 - 575 votes

• basil
• manchego cheese
• pasta
• thyme
• red pepper flake
• butter
• olive oil
• garlic
• yellow summer squash
• salt
• lemon juice

 

Pasta With Fresh Herbs, Lemon and Peas

4/5 - 1573 votes

• salt
• lemon zest
• pea
• garlic
• herb
• parmesan cheese
• lemon juice
• olive oil
• pasta

 

Caramelized Cabbage and Walnut Pasta

4/5 - 1549 votes

• chive
• salt
• spaghetti
• walnut
• olive oil
• green cabbage
• cumin seed
• leek
• black pepper
• butter
• lemon juice
• pecorino cheese
• garlic

 

Bacon and Tomato Pasta

4.8/5 - 251 votes

• salt
• onion
• bacon
• red chili flake
• parmesan cheese
• red wine
• spaghetti pasta
• tomato
• salt
• olive oil
• garlic
• basil

 

Lemony Pasta With Zucchini and Fresh Herbs

4/5 - 1496 votes

• salt
• juice
• salt
• fusilli
• herb
• zucchini
• pecorino romano cheese
• red pepper flake
• garlic
• olive oil

 

One-Pan Feta Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes

4/5 - 1470 votes

• salt
• basil
• salt
• short pasta
• olive oil
• black pepper
• red pepper flake
• cherry tomato
• rosemary
• water
• garlic
• thyme
• feta

 

Eggplant and Zucchini Pasta With Feta and Dill

4/5 - 1436 votes

• salt
• eggplant
• zucchini
• mezze rigatoni
• dill
• olive oil
• feta

 

Spicy Red Pesto Pasta

4/5 - 1398 votes

• lemon zest
• salt
• basil
• rigatoni
• red pepper flake
• parmesan cheese
• walnut
• red pepper
• oil tomato
• olive oil
• tomato paste
• garlic

 

Caramelized Zucchini Pasta

4/5 - 1392 votes

• salt
• ridged
• lemon juice
• basil
• parmesan cheese
• zucchini
• olive oil
• butter
• garlic

 

Butternut Squash Pasta With Bacon and Parmesan

4/5 - 1378 votes

• salt
• onion
• short
• red pepper flake
• butternut squash
• chive
• parsley
• olive oil
• parmesan cheese
• bacon

 

Mark Bittman's Pasta With Clams

5/5 - 594 votes

• parsley
• salt
• pasta
• olive oil
• red pepper flake
• garlic
• littleneck clam

 

Mushroom Ragù Pasta

4/5 - 1352 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• heavy cream
• angel hair pasta
• mushroom
• olive oil
• marsala wine
• porcini mushroom powder
• shallot
• thyme
• garlic
• chicken

 

One-Pan Pasta With Harissa Bolognese

4/5 - 1349 votes

• salt
• coriander
• cumin
• manicotti
• carrot
• ground pork
• onion
• ground beef
• heavy cream
• olive oil
• tomato paste
• harissa paste
• parsley
• worcestershire sauce
• plum tomato
• parmesan cheese
• pecorino romano cheese
• chicken stock
• garlic

 

Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta

4.98/5 - 316 votes

• red wine
• carrot
• celery
• pappardelle
• salt
• onion
• water
• chuck beef
• beef bouillon
• olive oil
• tomato paste
• garlic
• bay leaf
• thyme
• tomato
• black pepper
• parmesan cheese
• parsley

 

Pasta With Mussels in Tomato Sauce

5/5 - 576 votes

• salt
• tomato
• shallot
• white wine
• parsley
• red pepper flake
• sugar
• mussel
• olive oil
• marjoram
• garlic
• linguine

 

BLT Pasta

4/5 - 1315 votes

• salt
• salt
• cherry tomato
• paccheri pasta
• pecorino romano cheese
• arugula
• bacon

 

Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad

4.37/5 - 466 votes

• cheddar cheese
• basil
• short pasta
• chive
• avocado
• olive oil
• pecorino cheese
• red peppers flake
• salt
• cherry tomato
• lemon juice
• ear

 

Creamy Pasta with Crispy Mushrooms

4.4/5 - 286 votes

• black pepper
• salt
• lemon juice
• mushroom
• spaghetti
• heavy cream
• parmesan cheese
• parsley
• butter
• shallot
• olive oil

 

Miso-Butter Pasta With Butternut Squash

4/5 - 1271 votes

• salt
• mezze rigatoni
• olive oil
• lime
• parmesan cheese
• red pepper flake
• butter
• white miso
• butternut squash
• garlic

 

Pasta With Green Puttanesca

4/5 - 1233 votes

• salt
• green cerignola
• spaghettini
• anchovy
• green garlic clove
• spinach
• olive oil
• basil
• red pepper flake
• scallions including green
• caper

Ingredient Breakdown