There’s nothing quite like a plate of pasta in front of you. Whether it’s a rich Alfredo sauce, a spicy Bolognese sauce, or a simple stir-fry with garlic and olive oil, pasta can make any meal truly delicious. Many restaurants serve delicious pasta dishes, but you’ll be surprised how easy (and even tastier) it is to make at home. With the right tools and techniques, you can create pasta recipes that surpass most restaurant versions.
In this article, we introduce some easy-to-make pasta creations that are affordable and bursting with flavor.
Authentic Carbonara
This simple and delicious pasta dish requires just a few ingredients: pasta, eggs, Parmesan cheese, pancetta (or bacon), and black pepper. The hot pasta is tossed with beaten eggs and cheese, allowing the residual heat to slowly cook, resulting in a smooth sauce that’s truly special. This dish is often overly complex in restaurants. Make it at home and enjoy the truly smooth, rich flavor without the heavy cream.
Creamy Garlic Fettuccine Alfredo
Many restaurants offer Alfredo pasta, but many are too fatty. You can make a light yet rich Alfredo sauce at home with butter, garlic, milk (or cream), and Parmesan cheese. Mix this with fettuccine and add parsley for a delicious, non-greasy meal. For a more filling and flavorful dish, add roasted chicken or sautéed vegetables.
Boiled Vodka Pepperoni
The thick tomato sauce, with its slightly spicy and tangy flavor, makes this dish a real crowd-pleaser. To make it at home, add crushed tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a splash of vodka. Simmer briefly, then add cream and Parmesan cheese. Toss it with pasta for a rich, warming dish that tastes just like a restaurant, but is much easier to make than it sounds.
Fresh Basil Genovese Pesto
Fresh basil pesto is a step up from most store-bought or restaurant-bought pestos because it’s vibrant and full of flavor. Combine basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a blender and blend until smooth. Then add pasta or fusilli and blend until smooth. Add cooked greens or cherry tomatoes for an extra kick. Pesto sauce is simple, healthy, and a delicious weeknight meal.
Make Baked Ziti at Home
Baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food. Place the ziti on a baking sheet and top with tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Bake until bubbling and golden brown. Instead of opting for a greasy restaurant dish, making it yourself allows you to control the amount of cheese in the sauce. This results in a balanced, nutritious dish that tastes even better straight from the oven.
Shrimp Linguine
Restaurant-style linguine with seafood can be expensive. But making it yourself is both affordable and delicious. Sauté the shrimp in a pan with garlic, lemon juice, white wine, and butter. Then add the pasta and toss to coat. This light, flavorful sauce pairs perfectly with the pasta. This dish is sophisticated enough for a dinner party, yet easy enough to make on a weeknight.
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pizza Shells
These pizza shells, filled with ricotta, spinach, and herbs, are a vegetarian favorite. Place them in a baking dish, drizzle with tomato sauce, and top with mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted and browned. This dish tastes like something from an Italian restaurant, but is also easy to make at home.
One-Pot Pasta with Tomato and Basil
One-pot pasta recipes are handy when you’re on a roll. This recipe combines tomatoes, garlic, basil, and vegetable stock in one pot. The pasta is cooked directly in the pan and absorbs the umami flavor of all the ingredients as it simmers. This pasta dish is rich, flavorful, easy to clean, and even tastier than many other restaurant pasta dishes.
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This rich Cajun Chicken Pasta adds a spicy flavor that’s both fiery and warming. Place the chicken breasts in a pan and season with Cajun spices. Cook until golden brown, then add the pasta and a thick tomato sauce. This dish is distinguished by its spicy flavor, which often rivals restaurant-made dishes.
Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Butter
Making pumpkin ravioli is easy and a classic fall dish. Buy fresh pasta and make a simple sage butter sauce to accompany it. For a rich herb flavor, melt some butter, toast some sage leaves, and pour it over the pasta. This sophisticated dish proves that homemade meals can be just as delicious as those from a fine restaurant.
How do you make homemade pasta that tastes like restaurant pasta?
- Add a generous amount of salt to the pasta cooking water. This is essential for a delicious pasta.
- Cook the pasta in the sauce. Toss the pasta
- Go easy on the cheese. Grated Parmesan or Pecorino makes everything taste better.
- Experience different textures. For a richer flavor, combine it with roasted vegetables, crunchy breadcrumbs, or toasted nuts.
- Why making your own pasta is good for you
- Control ingredients: Avoid restaurant dishes with lots of oil, salt, or other ingredients.
- To make your plate healthier, consider adding vegetables, lean meat, and whole-wheat pasta.
- Control portions: Restaurant plates can sometimes be too large. Cooking at home can help you create just the right portion size.
- Affordability: Creating delicious food at home doesn’t have to be expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which type of pasta is best suited for thicker sauces?
Ideally use fettuccine or spaghetti, as their shape can handle thicker sauces like Alfredo or vodka.
2. Can I prepare pasta ahead of time?
Yes. To prevent the pasta from sticking, cook it al dente, drizzle with olive oil, and refrigerate. Add the sauce to reheat.
3. How do you make authentic pasta at home?
For the best flavor, use fresh ingredients, add a generous amount of salt to the cooking water, and always add the sauce while the pasta is cooking.
4. Can I make these pasta recipes ahead of time?
Of course. Leftover ziti, stuffed shells, and pesto pasta keep well and are easy to reheat.
5. Can I customize these dishes to my liking?
Yes! For a lighter dish, use less cheese, use chickpea or whole wheat pasta instead of white pasta, and add more vegetables.
Summary
Good news: you don’t have to go to a restaurant to enjoy pasta. It’s one of those things that always makes you feel good. With a few simple steps, high-quality ingredients, and these recipes, you can make pasta that’s even more delicious than restaurant-made. Dishes like rich carbonara, vibrant pesto, and delicate shrimp prove that fresh pasta is the best.
If you’re craving pasta, don’t order takeout. Get in the kitchen and make it yourself. You might just discover a new favorite.
