15 awesome recipes for crowd-pleasing pasta

It seems as though everyone loves pasta. Whatever the shape or sauce, most folks simply can’t resist a delicious pasta dish. It is comforting, satisfying and sure to please the masses. Even so, pasta night can always be improved with something new or even an upgrade to your tried and true recipes. These 15 Awesome Recipes for Crowd-Pleasing Pasta will help you with fun, new ways to elevate your favorite pasta dishes. 

Whether you want to try frying up some cheese ravioli, toasting some orzo or rolling up some lasagna sheets …it’s all here. Check it all out in our easy to navigate collection …15 Awesome Recipes for Crowd-Pleasing Pasta. 

Most folks think of pasta as Italian food, but it is more likely that pasta is the descendent of ancient Asian noodles. A common belief is that pasta was brought to Italy from China by Marco Polo during the 13th century. Want to learn more about the history of pasta? Here’s an informative article, along with another one, outlining everything you ever wanted to know about the origins of your favorite carb. Now on to the good stuff. The awesome recipes…

 

1 / 15     Super Quick Chicken Orzo Soup

It’s okay to use some shortcuts and still refer to this as homemade soup. After all, you are making it at home, right? Save the hours of simmering for those cold winter days. Feel free to use that leftover rotisserie chicken and canned chicken broth on this one.  It’s all good. Get the recipe.

 

2 / 15     Deep-Dish Asparagus Ravioli Pie

A by-the-scoop pasta pie with asparagus, lemon & butternut squash ravioli piled high. Make it your own by using your favorite prepared ravioli. A vegetarian dish the entire family will love. Get the recipe.

 

3 / 15     Toasted Couscous & Roasted Tomato Salad

The couscous is lightly toasted in olive oil giving it a distinctive nutty flavor. So good. The tomatoes are gently roasted until just about bursting. Then there’s the not-too-sweet honey vinaigrette. There aren’t a lot of ingredients in this one. That’s the beauty of it. The simplicity of it allows the fresh flavors to shine through. Get the recipe.

 

4 / 15     Lasagna Rolls with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Looking for something delicious that you can serve to a crowd? A dish that can be prepared in advance? I can assure you that this one fits the bill.  My family loves these lasagna rolls. Even the vegetarians in the crowd. For the gluten-free folks, we use gluten-free lasagna …an easy fix. Get the recipe.

 

5 / 15     Crispy Fried Cheese Ravioli

This one is a keeper. Crispy and creamy at the same time …if that is even possible. With the help of prepared ravioli from your grocer’s refrigerator, you’ll be enjoying these crispy fried cheese ravioli treats in a matter of minutes. Get the recipe.

 

6 / 15     Baked Cavatappi & Three Cheeses

Looking for an upgrade to your basic mac & cheese? I like to think of this as the grown-up version of that all-time favorite comfort food. In the original version, bits of browned prosciutto were thrown into the mix. Turns out we prefer the vegetarian version. There’s so much going on with the three varieties of cheese, you won’t miss the meat. Get the recipe.

 

7 / 15     Penne with Shrimp & Asparagus

Rich tomato sauce without the addition of cream. How is that possible? Eggs. Can you believe it? They are mixed in at the last minute to create a creamy textured tomato sauce. Without a lick of cream. Really. Get the recipe.

 

8 / 15     Toasted Orzo with Parmesan

Rich, nutty & flavorful. Pair this up with grilled fish or chicken. Or with roasted meat & vegetables. In the time it takes to heat the grill and cook the rest of your meal, this delicious side is ready. Get the recipe.

 

9 / 15     Rigatoni with Sausage, Artichokes & Asparagus

If you would like to serve this dish to your vegetarian friends, eliminate the sausage and replace it with portabella mushrooms. And use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Either way, serve this pasta with a green salad and lots of crusty bread. You’ll have a hearty delicious meal. Get the recipe.

 

10 / 15     Chicken Escarole Soup with Egg & Pasta

This is my own version of Stracciatella all romana, Italian egg drop soup. It typically starts with a rich chicken broth, into which a beaten mixture of whole eggs and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano is streamed in to form tiny, light, and flavorful clouds. The texture and flavor of that soup is wonderful. So wonderful that it inspired me to create this hearty version. It never disappoints. Get the recipe.

 

11 / 15     Toasted Saffron Pasta Primavera

Wondering how to toast pasta? This may sound crazy, but raw spaghetti is broken in half and placed in your preheated skillet along with olive oil, chopped garlic and a small amount of saffron. So different and delicious. And it all comes together in one large skillet. Gotta love that. Get the recipe. 

 

12 / 15     One-Pan Pasta with Ricotta, Artichokes & Mushrooms

How can this be? One-pan? It’s true, folks. What you see here was totally created in one skillet …from start to finish. And the best part is…it’s absolutely delicious.  The key to your success is to use refrigerated fresh pasta. The dry stuff won’t work on this one. Get the recipe.

 

13 / 15     The Absolute Best Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta and beans. If you’re a fan of Italian food, Pasta e Fagioli will most likely be included in your list of favorites. It’s a hearty soup with more than enough versions to sample. To be authentic, it must include pasta and beans. Every Italian restaurant will make the claim that theirs is the best. They are all good, no doubt. The standout difference in this recipe is the addition of fresh rosemary. Get the recipe.

 

14 / 15     Soba, Snow Pea & Asparagus Toss

Raw carrot ribbons and barely cooked snow peas and asparagus retain lots of crunch in this speedy dinner. The dressing is the perfect blend of salty, toasty, tangy, and pungent. Carefully choose your soba noodles and the dish can be gluten-free. Add some grilled shrimp or chicken and you have a hearty meal. Get the recipe.

 

15 / 15   Chicken with Orzo, Fennel & Leeks

Looking for a good one-pan meal? Search no more. This Chicken with Orzo, Fennel & Leeks has your name all over it. Full of flavor and texture. Add a green salad and you have dinner in less than an hour. Get the recipe.

 

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