Pasta night is always a great idea. 🍝
And that's especially true right now, as temperatures start to drop and cozy, cold weather-approved meal ideas are even more crave-worthy than usual. Below are a ton of comforting pasta recipes to try for fall and winter — including versions that are vegetarian, vegan, and tailored for the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
1. Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta With Bacon
Puréed butternut squash sautéed with chicken stock and garlic makes for a seriously creamy (and dairy free) pasta sauce. Top this dish with fresh sage and bacon for the ultimate fall dinner.
2. Pasta Alla Norma
This vegetarian pasta dish — packed with fried eggplant and topped with ricotta salata and basil pesto — always hits the spot.
Recipe: Pasta Alla Norma
3. Pasta Carbonara With Charred Brussels Sprouts
Adding shiitake mushrooms and crispy Brussels to this indulgent pasta dish might just be the most delicious way to eat your veggies.
4. Broccoli Pasta Bake
This baked pasta is packed with broccoli, so let's just call it a salad.
Recipe: Broccoli Pasta Bake
5. Instant Pot Chicken Parm Pasta
Baked ziti meets chicken parmesan in this incredibly easy, hands-off recipe. Just dump the ingredients into your Instant Pot and wait for dinner to cook itself.
Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Parm Pasta
6. One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta With Spinach and Mushrooms
Tired of washing so many dishes after cooking? Stick with this skillet recipe that is loaded with veggies and tossed in a cream sauce.
Recipe: One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta With Spinach and Mushrooms
7. Spicy Pumpkin and Pesto Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells get a seasonal twist thanks to a decadent sauce made with bell pepper, pumpkin, milk, and red pepper flakes.
8. One-Pan Creamy Tomato Spinach Gnocchi
Always keep a box of store-bought gnocchi on hand for an easy yet seriously delicious home-cooked meal. You don't need any overly fancy ingredients to whip this up, but it tastes totally impressive.
9. Pumpkin Alla Vodka Pasta
If you like vodka sauce, you'll love this autumnal version that is made with tomato paste, savory pumpkin puree, and creamy coconut milk.
Recipe: Pumpkin Alla Vodka Pasta
10. Caprese Skillet Lasagna
This one-pot meal comes together from start to finish in your cast iron skillet. Just make sure to use no-boil lasagna noodles!
Recipe: Caprese Skillet Lasagna
11. Italian Sausage Bowtie Pasta
There's something about spicy Italian sausage that instantly turns an otherwise average bowl of pasta into a restaurant-quality meal.
Recipe: Italian Sausage Bowtie Pasta
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12. Vegan Lentil Bolognese
You can make this tender lentil "Bolognese" sauce on the stove-top or in your slow cooker. The meatless sauce is made with carrots, celery, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, lentils, and vegetable stock.
Recipe: Vegan Lentil Bolognese
13. Cajun Shrimp Pasta
You can always add some spicy andouille sausage or chicken to this Cajun-inspired dish. Don't let the ingredient list intimidate you: It's mostly just pantry staples plus some spices and seasonings that you probably have on hand.
Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Pasta
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14. Vegan Creamy Tomato Pasta
This dairy-free pasta is so indulgent, you won't believe it isn't made with cream. The secret ingredient: soaked cashews, which are blended with diced tomatoes and spices to give the sauce a seriously rich flavor.
Recipe: Vegan Creamy Tomato Pasta
15. Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Ready in 25 minutes flat and perfect for a weeknight dinner, this tortellini in alfredo sauce is guaranteed to please the whole family. Of course, you can use whatever pasta you have on hand, but cheese-stuffed tortellini gives it that extra flavor boost.
Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
16. Baked Brie Mac 'n' Cheese
Brie > every other cheese in the universe.
Recipe: Baked Brie Mac 'n' Cheese
17. Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Pesto Pasta
Fact: there are few more quintessential fall flavor combinations than bacon and Brussels sprouts.
18. Creamy Avocado and Spinach Pasta
If you're looking for a lightened up pasta dish that still tastes decadent, this one's for you. It's creamy and rich, and it all starts with mashed avocado.
Recipe: Creamy Avocado and Spinach Pasta
19. Pasta With Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu
Consider this a friendly reminder to make more hearty and cozy ragus this winter.
20. Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta
This dish is the perfect mix of buttery, garlicky, earthy, and savory. Best of all, it calls for just a handful of no-fuss ingredients.
Recipe: Brown Butter Mushroom Pasta
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21. Roasted Cauliflower Pasta
This simple yet satisfying pasta is tossed with caramelized roasted cauliflower, toasted pine nuts, and a whole lot of Parmesan cheese.
Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Pasta
22. Pumpkin Cacio e Pepe
If you love classic cacio e pepe, you'll love this fall-inspired version, which is made with pumpkin puree, nutmeg, freshly cracked pepper, and a duo of Parmesan and Pecorino cheese.
Recipe: Pumpkin Cacio e Pepe
23. French Onion Pasta Bake
Imagine your favorite baked pasta dish but mixed with piping hot, cheesy French onion soup. Yeah...it's a serious situation.
Recipe: French Onion Pasta Bake
24. Gnocchi With Butternut Squash, Pancetta, and Sage
Sage, pancetta, and butternut squash just might be the holy trinity of fall flavors. If you want to lighten things up, try using frozen cauliflower gnocchi.
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