There’s a short list of pasta recipes that every home cook should have in their back pocket by the time they’re 30. These are the foundational dishes — the ones that teach technique, build confidence, and taste incredible every single time. I rounded up the best of the best from trusted food bloggers — real recipes that real people make over and over again, and that I think you’re going to love too.
Work your way through this list and you’ll have a pasta repertoire that can handle any weeknight, any dinner party, any craving. Grab a fork and dig in.
What’s Inside
Here’s the full lineup — click any recipe to jump straight to it.
- Simple Carbonara
- Cacio e Pepe
- Spaghetti Pomodoro
- BA’s Best Baked Ziti
- Rigatoni with Easy Vodka Sauce
- Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti
- The Ultimate Spaghetti Carbonara
- Pasta Primavera
- Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta
- Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Pasta
- Penne alla Vodka
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Baked Ziti
- Chicken Cacciatore Pasta
- Mushroom Pasta with Sausage
- Pasta Puttanesca
- Ultimate Beef Ragu
The 18 Recipes
From quick weeknight staples to the special-occasion showstoppers, here are the 18 pasta recipes that I think everyone should know how to make. Each one has been tested, loved, and made-on-repeat by home cooks all over the world.
Simple Carbonara
This Roman classic gets its silkiness from eggs and Pecorino Romano, never cream. Bon Appétit’s version is the one I keep coming back to.
Cacio e Pepe
Three ingredients. Zero room for error. This is the Bon Appétit version that finally got me to stop ordering it out.
Spaghetti Pomodoro
Good tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and patience — that’s the whole game. Bon Appétit’s version lets each ingredient shine.
BA’s Best Baked Ziti
Tube pasta, three cheeses, and a long bake make this the Bon Appétit recipe I bring to every potluck.
Rigatoni with Easy Vodka Sauce
Tomato paste, cream, vodka, and a slow simmer make a sauce that clings to every noodle. Bon Appétit’s take is weeknight-easy and dinner-party-worthy.
Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti
Food.com’s take on jo mama’s world famous spaghetti is one of the most-loved versions on the internet. It’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary weeknight into something a little bit special.
The Ultimate Spaghetti Carbonara
This Roman classic gets its silkiness from eggs and Pecorino Romano, never cream. Food.com’s version is the one I keep coming back to.
Pasta Primavera
Whatever’s in season gets tossed with pasta in this endlessly adaptable Bon Appétit recipe. It’s a great fridge-cleanout move.
Creamy Tomato Pasta
Salt & Lavender’s take on creamy tomato pasta is one of the most-loved versions on the internet. It’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary weeknight into something a little bit special.
Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta
Food.com’s take on creamy garlic penne pasta is one of the most-loved versions on the internet. It’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary weeknight into something a little bit special.
Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Pasta
Good tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and patience — that’s the whole game. Food.com’s version lets each ingredient shine.
Penne alla Vodka
Tomato paste, cream, vodka, and a slow simmer make a sauce that clings to every noodle. Food.com’s take is weeknight-easy and dinner-party-worthy.
Easy Baked Ziti
Tube pasta, three cheeses, and a long bake make this the Food.com recipe I bring to every potluck.
Baked Ziti
Tube pasta, three cheeses, and a long bake make this the The Cozy Apron recipe I bring to every potluck.
Chicken Cacciatore Pasta
Tender chicken, a rich sauce, and pasta in one pan. The Cozy Apron’s take is weeknight-comfort done right.
Mushroom Pasta with Sausage
Spicy Italian sausage brings big flavor with almost no effort. The Cozy Apron’s recipe is the kind of thing you’ll make twice in one week.
Pasta Puttanesca
Anchovies, olives, capers, and tomatoes make a sauce that punches way above its weight. This The Cozy Apron version is bold, briny, and unapologetically Italian.
Ultimate Beef Ragu
This is the long-simmered, deeply savory meat sauce that converts people into pasta people for life. Daring Gourmet takes the time it deserves.
That’s a lot of pasta (and I mean that as a compliment)
Once you’ve nailed these, you’ll never feel lost in the kitchen again. I promise. My personal favorite from this list changes with my mood, but if I had to pick one right now, I’d go with the simple carbonara — it’s the one I make when I need a quick win on a Tuesday night.
If you try any of these, I’d love to hear which one becomes your go-to. Drop a comment and let me know — and happy cooking.
—Elowen Thorn
Sources & Credits
Every recipe in this roundup is the work of a talented food blogger. I’m just the messenger. If you love one of these dishes, please click through to the original source and leave a kind comment — these creators make the internet a more delicious place.
- Simple Carbonara — Bon Appétit
- Cacio e Pepe — Bon Appétit
- Spaghetti Pomodoro — Bon Appétit
- BA’s Best Baked Ziti — Bon Appétit
- Rigatoni with Easy Vodka Sauce — Bon Appétit
- Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti — Food.com
- The Ultimate Spaghetti Carbonara — Food.com
- Pasta Primavera — Bon Appétit
- Creamy Tomato Pasta — Salt & Lavender
- Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta — Food.com
- Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Pasta — Food.com
- Penne alla Vodka — Food.com
- Easy Baked Ziti — Food.com
- Baked Ziti — The Cozy Apron
- Chicken Cacciatore Pasta — The Cozy Apron
- Mushroom Pasta with Sausage — The Cozy Apron
- Pasta Puttanesca — The Cozy Apron
- Ultimate Beef Ragu — Daring Gourmet