Pasta La Vista Baby! Exploring a World of Noodle Nirvana

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If you’re a pasta lover like me, you’ll adore these amazing recipes that showcase the diversity and richness of Italy’s favorite dish. From creamy carbonaras to savory pesto linguines, these mouthwatering pasta recipes offer a world of flavor and comfort. And the best part? They’re incredibly easy to make, proving that you don’t need to rely on jarred sauces to create a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic and simple or adventurous and bold, these recipes will inspire you to get creative with pasta and explore the endless possibilities it offers.

Easy 30 Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta

A plate of spaghetti topped with red and yellow cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, grated parmesan cheese, and a sprinkling of black pepper.
Easy 30 Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Salted Mint.

This Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s full of flavor. The tomatoes burst in the pan, creating a delicious sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. With just five ingredients, it’s a simple yet satisfying dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy 30 Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Creamy spaghetti with grated lemon.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A light and creamy pasta dish, this Lemon Ricotta Pasta is deliciously refreshing and super easy to make. It’s ready in under 15 minutes, and it makes a perfect midweek meal in summer or any other time of the year.

GET THE RECIPE: Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

A fork twirling spaghetti with tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, and grated cheese on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

In only half an hour, you can whip up this delicious and straightforward recipe for Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce. It’s the perfect way to make use of the fresh tomatoes from your garden!

Get the Recipe: Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

Cheesy Ham and Pea Pasta Bake

A portion of creamy pasta with ham and peas.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A delicious dinner recipe that goes down with everyone, this Cheesy Ham and Pea Pasta Bake is so creamy, rich, ridiculously easy to make. A big hit with kids and grown-ups alike, my ham and pea pasta will make its way on the table again and again. 

GET THE RECIPE: Cheesy Ham and Pea Pasta Bake

Salmon Spaghetti Carbonara

A portion of salmon spaghetti.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A twist on the classic carbonara recipe, my baked Salmon Spaghetti Carbonara is a quick and easy midweek recipe that is ready in 15 minutes. You only need a few simple ingredients to make a spectacular dinner that will have everyone ask for seconds.

GET THE RECIPE: Salmon Spaghetti Carbonara

Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps

A plate of fettuccine pasta with grilled shrimp, peas, and fresh basil.
Photo Credit: Chocolates & Chai.

For a simple yet elegant summer dinner, try lemon fettuccine with garlic shrimp. The bright lemon sauce pairs perfectly with garlicky shrimp, creating a light and flavorful dish. It’s a quick meal that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps

Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs

A dish with mac and cheese topped with bread crumbs.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

This Baked Mac and Cheese with breadcrumbs is the ultimate comfort food for every occasion. Delicious macaroni smothered in a rich and creamy white sauce that has 3 types of cheese, then topped with buttery breadcrumbs, and baked in the oven for the final touch.

GET THE RECIPE: Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs

Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake

A portion of chicken pasta bake.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A delicious Chicken Pasta Bake that is made with a creamy, cheesy white sauce, garlicky chicken, and juicy fresh tomatoes, what a glorious dinner! Even fussy kids will love this casserole that sums up what comfort food is all about.

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Pasta Bake

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

HERO image for a Sour Cream Noodle Bake casserole.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Pasta lovers, rejoice! This creamy sour cream noodle bake is the ultimate comfort food indulgence, packed with savory beef and al dente noodles – a satisfying treat that will hit all the right spots!

GET THE RECIPE: Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Canned Tuna Spaghetti

A portion of tuna spaghetti.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A 20-minute Canned Tuna Spaghetti made with fresh ingredients to create a fabulous dish that is jam-packed with fantastic flavours. No need for a ready-made tomato sauce, this delicious dish is a great family-favourite pasta recipe.

GET THE RECIPE: Canned Tuna Spaghetti

Creamy Lemon Basil Pasta

Wavy pasta topped with creamy sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
Photo Credit: The Savory Cipolla.

The creamy lemon and basil sauce in this summer pasta provides a refreshing flavor, making it a perfect choice for a quick dinner when a salad won’t cut it.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Basil Pasta

Shrimp and Chorizo Spaghetti

A portion of shrimp and chorizo pasta on a plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Who needs a jar of tomato sauce when you can prepare this delicious Prawn and Chorizo Spaghetti in just 20 minutes? The chorizo and king prawns are cooked with garlic, chili flakes, lemon juice and fresh parsley, then the cooked spaghetti and tossed in to create a fancy restaurant-style dish.

GET THE RECIPE: Shrimp and Chorizo Spaghetti

Four Cheese Stuffed Shells

A skillet with pasta shells.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

A super easy and so comforting Four Cheese Stuffed Shells dish made with jumbo shells smothered in cheesy goodness and finished in creamy white sauce with fresh herbs.

GET THE RECIPE: Four Cheese Stuffed Shells

Shrimp and Spinach Pasta

A portion of shrimp and spinach spaghetti.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Shrimp and Spinach Pasta with a chilly touch, a quick dish that is ready in under 20 minutes, ideal for a midweek dinner. Flavourful and colourful, this homemade pasta recipe is simple, but absolutely delicious.

GET THE RECIPE: Shrimp and Spinach Pasta

Garlic Bacon Spaghetti

A portion of spaghetti with bacon garnished with cheese and parsley.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Do you like your pasta to be as simple as can be? This Garlic Bacon Pasta with a chilli kick is ready in 20 minutes and it’s made with only a few simple ingredients. No sauce needed for this goodness!

GET THE RECIPE: Garlic Bacon Pasta

Creamy Scallop Spaghetti

A portion of creamy scallops with spaghetti.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

This Creamy Scallop Spaghetti is a delicious meal that is made with seared scallops in a rich cream sauce and pasta for a quick and rich dish that will comfort you like nothing else.

GET THE RECIPE: Creamy Scallop Spaghetti

Bacon Pasta Carbonara

A portion of bacon carbonara.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

This Bacon Pasta Carbonara is loaded with parmesan cheese and bacon lardons and smothered in an eggy mixture. No cream, no tomato sauce, just pure goodness. The creamy carbonara sauce can’t be any simpler.

GET THE RECIPE: Bacon Pasta Carbonara

Alfredo Pasta with Baked Salmon

A portion of alfredo pasta with salmon.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Alfredo Pasta with Baked Salmon is an amazing under 30-minute recipe, perfect for a lazy day when you fancy something yummy. It requires minimal preparation and only a few ingredients and can make happy even a picky eater.

GET THE RECIPE: Alfredo Pasta with Baked Salmon

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

A portion of creamy chicken spaghetti.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta, super easy and creamy, and made in one pot only.! The cajun alfredo sauce is deliciously spiced, and works perfectly well with the lean chicken breast and the pasta.

GET THE RECIPE: Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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