30 Dishes From Around The Country Every Pasta Lover Must Try

Who's in for a pasta roadtrip?

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

1. Baked Five-Cheese Pasta from Al Forno (Providence, RI)

@spoon_brown / Via instagram.com

Providence is one of the most underrated food cities in the country, and Al Forno is the creme de la creme. Start with a grilled pizza, then move onto this decadent pasta baked with cream, tomato sauce, and not one but FIVE cheeses. It'll make you unbuckle your belt, but it's worth it.

2. Spaghetti from l'Artusi (New York, NY)

@hillgins / Via instagram.com

It's easy to overlook the spaghetti at this West Village gem in favor of the sexier pasta on the menu. And while you won't go wrong ordering almost anything, the simple spaghetti--garnished with garlic scapes, chilies, and parmesan--is a take on the classic like you've never had before.

3. Linguine alle Vongole from I Fratellini (Clayton, Missouri)

@Taysteebites / Via instagram.com

If you like shellfish, head to this underrated gem in the St. Louis area. The al dente linguine is served with clams, shrimp, and scallops in a light and seafood broth.

4. Fiocchi di Formaggio e Pere from MC Kitchen (Miami, FL)

@chewithme / Via instagram.com

That stands for pasta stuffed with pear and three cheeses in a white truffle cream sauce...and it tastes even better than it sounds.

5. Gnocchi with Cauliflower and Orange from Bar La Grassa (Minneapolis, MN)

@calamity_jewelz / Via instagram.com

If you're thinking that gnocchi with orange sounds strange, you'll just have to suspend your disbelief. The light and zesty orange-glaze sauce is the perfect complement to the soft, pillowy clouds of gnocchi, finished off with chives and thinly sliced cauliflower.

6. Lasagnette alla Bolognese at Sotto Sotto (Atlanta, GA)

@miami_food_adict / Via instagram.com

Think of this as deconstructed lasagna: Long, flat noodles baked in creamy béchamel sauce with meat sauce. Should you find yourself in the Atlanta area, it's a must-try.

7. Carbonara from Grassa (Portland, OR)

@njuntara / Via instagram.com

This casual café whips up some of the best pasta dishes around at super affordable price tags. The star of the menu — perfectly cooked bucatini, pancetta, peas, fried egg, and pecorino — will only set you back $11.

8. Scarpinocc from Flour + Water (San Francisco, CA)

@pastrywithjenn / Via instagram.com

What is scarpinocc, you might ask? At Flour + Water, it's a unique pasta shape that resembles bowties, which is filled with Taleggio cheese and topped with a drizzle of aged balsamic. The restaurant, a shrine to carbohydrates, also offers a pasta tasting menu, so if you're willing to spend $75 on seven different pastas, go crazy.

9. Cappeletti from Osteria Morini (Washington, D.C.)

@eatwithmeusa / Via instagram.com

The pastas at this upscale D.C. restaurant are made from scratch, but the real winner is the cappeletti. It's a cousin to tortellini, and it comes stuffed with truffled ricotta ravioli and cooked with melted butter and prosciutto.

10. Rigatoni all’ Amatriciana from Arancino di Mare (Honolulu, HI)

@arancinodimare / Via instagram.com

You probably didn't think you were coming to Hawaii for the pasta, did you? Just wait until you try this Hawaiian take on Roman all' Amatriciana, made with pancetta, maui onion, and homemade tomato sauce.

11. Squid Ink Tagliolini from Domenica (New Orleans, LA)

@Domenicarestaurant / Via instagram.com

When you need a break from all the Cajun food, head to Domenica for an Italian feast. This squid ink pasta comes loaded with blue crab and herbs in a sauce that's buttery yet still light.

12. Bucatini with Jalapeño and Almond Pesto from Amis (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

@thecarboholic / Via instagram.com

Amis is the more casual trattoria opened by the team behind Vetri, and it's the place to go for Roman-style plates. The bucatini, made with almond pesto and jalapeños, is creamy, crunchy, and a bit spicy. It almost feels like an Italian take on cold sesame noodles, and it's mind-blowing.

13. Maccheroncelli at Seven Hills (San Francisco, CA)

Lisa I. via Yelp / Via yelp.com

It's not just the impeccably cooked pasta or the flavorful sauce made of crushed tomato, chili, and basil that makes this dish. It's all about the spoonful of house made ricotta on top, which literally melts in your mouth.

14. Pappardelle alla Bolognese. from Il Corvo (Seattle, WA)

Doriee D. via Yelp / Via yelp.com

This cult-favorite eatery is open only for weekday lunch, and everyday it offers a selection of pastas, all of which are $9. So yeah, it's kind of a big deal. The Pappardelle alla Bolognese is a staple of the changing menu, and it's a must-try.

15. Mandilli di Seta from The Factory Kitchen (Los Angeles, CA)

Isobel L. via Yelp / Via yelp.com

At first glance, it's easy to mistake this dish for melting ice cream, but take another look. It's silk handkerchief pasta (aka the most delicate pasta you've ever had), covered in creamy pesto. It just might be single-handedly worth a trip to L.A.

16. Sheeps Milk Cheese Filled Agnolotti from Lilia (Brooklyn, NY)

@bagoboy87 / Via instagram.com

Of the eight or so pasta dishes offered at this Williamsburg hotspot, don't overlook the Agnolotti. These little pockets of dough are filled with creamy sheep's milk cheese and prepared with saffron, dried tomato, and honey.

17. Linguine with Clams from il Sogno Osteria (San Antonio, TX)

@en_food / Via instagram.com

This buzzy spot is worthy of a special occasion. So when you make your reservation, order the linguine alle vongole. Unlike your typical light and zesty linguine and clams, this version is made with a bit of cream and homemade pasta, which is pretty heavenly.

18. Lobster Ravioli from Rino's Place (Boston, MA)

@foodie_filo / Via instagram.com

When in New England, don't miss this lobster dish at this classic red sauce joint. Opt for the half portion, which is so rich and enormous, it could easily be your whole meal.

19. Cavatelli alla Norcina from Bestia (Los Angeles, CA)

Kevin P. via Yelp / Via yelp.com

Perennial L.A. favorite, Bestia has perfected this rustic pasta dish, a staple of Umbrian cooking. The ricotta dumplings are made with pork sausage and a creamy black truffle sauce that'll have you asking for seconds.

20. Cacio e Pepe from Rose's Luxury (Washington, D.C.)

@caroneats / Via instagram.com

You'll always find a line at this Capitol Hill eatery. You can't go wrong ordering any of the seasonal pasta dishes, especially if you see the cacio e pepe on the menu, which is essentially a fancy-ass mac and cheese. The pasta is cooked al dente, then lathered in butter, cheese, and black pepper.

21. Tagliatelle al Ragu from Al Di La (Brooklyn, NY)

@infatuation_NYC / Via instagram.com

A culinary paradise in Park Slope, Al Di La is one of those neighborhood Italian joints everyone wishes they had. The tagliatelle in meat sauce is simple, but it's so incredibly perfect you may never get over it.

22. Taglione Nero from Balena (Chicago, IL)

@balenachicago / Via instagram.com

When you want to treat yourself, order the squid ink pasta from Balena. The black pasta is served with a generous portion of crab, creamy uni, and spicy chilis. Unlike many squid ink pastas, this one doesn't taste too fishy, and every bite is the perfect mix of creamy and umami.

23. Porcini Ravioli from Il Mulino (locations around the country)

Will G. via Yelp / Via yelp.com

This old-school Italian joint originated in downtown Manhattan, but now you'll find Il Mulino across the country from Miami to Las Vegas. Come hungry, then order the mushroom ravioli in a decadent truffle cream sauce.

24. Sea Urchin Carbonara from Coppa (Boston, MA)

@kenoringer / Via instagram.com

This hip, South End enoteca serves some delicious pizzas, cheese and charcuterie boards. Try all of those things. But don't leave without trying the creative take on classic Roman carbonara, made with uni, smoky pancetta and creamy farm egg.

25. Arrabiatta from Monteverde (Chicago, IL)

William Y. via Yelp / Via yelp.com

For those who like a kick, the delightfully spicy Arrabiatta from Chicago's favorite pasta destination shouldn't be missed. A generous dash of chili oil adds the perfect heat to this plate of gulf shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and pan-fried, al dente pasta.

26. Raviolo from Cotogna (San Francisco, CA)

@eatsofnyc / Via instagram.com

Quite possibly the most iconic pasta in all of San Francisco, this single raviolo will make your entire meal. It's filled with velvety ricotta and egg. Just wait until you see that golden yolk when you slice into it.

27. Pappardelle Ragu from Tavolàta (Seattle, WA)

@mrfrankstagram / Via instagram.com

This seemingly simple pappardelle in pork ragu is actually rich in complex flavors like mint, chili, orange, and Grana Padano cheese.

28. Fusilli at Marea (New York, NY)

@foodydates_ny / Via instagram.com

Go ahead and spend your whole paycheck on this outrageously delicious pasta dish made with red-wine braised octopus and bone marrow. You deserve this.

29. Uni Udon Carbonara from Marugame Monzo (Los Angeles, CA)

@aperfectdishdaily / Via instagram.com

This Japanese-Italian hybrid takes traditional udon noodles and cooks it in a thick, creamy sauce with some uni for good measure. It's like no other pasta you've ever had before, guaranteed.

30. Swiss Chard Gnocchi from Vetri (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Amanda Shulman

Should you find yourself dining at Marc Vetri's intimate, prix fixe Philly restaurant, you'll be lucky enough to this signature dish. The airy swiss chard gnocchi is served with shaved Ricotta Salata in a brown butter sauce. It's nutty, buttery, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.