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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Hearty Pasta Meals That Feel Like a Warm Hug

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on December 23, 2024, updated December 17, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cozy nights in or family gatherings. These hearty pasta meals are not only filling but also packed with flavors that warm you from the inside out. Whether you prefer creamy sauces, rich meats, or fresh veggies, there's a pasta dish here that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara twist is easy to make with common ingredients you probably have on hand. It's a quick and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese for a cozy meal. It's perfect for a comforting dinner that warms you up.

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    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and satisfying dish that brings together tender shrimp and pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a simple meal that combines the flavors of seafood and pasta, perfect for any dinner.

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    Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta

    Cheesy smoked sausage pasta on a skillet.
    Photo Credit: On My Kids' Plate.

    Sausage and cheese pasta is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in under 30 minutes, all in one pot. It's perfect for busy weeknights and you can customize it with whatever ingredients you have on hand.

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    Lazy Ravioli Lasagna

    Ravioli lasagna on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Refrigerated ravioli filled with ricotta makes dinner easy, eliminating the need to boil and layer lasagna noodles. This is a cozy and simple meal for the whole family.

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    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This creamy steak and mushroom pasta is topped with a cheesy casserole, creating a comforting and elegant dinner. It’s a simple one-pan meal that you can whip up in just 45 minutes, keeping cleanup to a minimum.

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    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is full of flavor, combining spice and creaminess for a satisfying dish. You can even skip the vodka and still enjoy a great meal.

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    Ricotta Lemon Pasta

    A serving of lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo Credit: Chenee Today.

    A simple and tasty lemon ricotta pasta sauce comes together easily for a bright meal. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This is a simple and delicious meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. Adding mozzarella or burrata cheese gives it an extra boost of flavor.

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    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is quick to prepare in just 20 minutes and is loaded with fresh vegetables for a light and delicious meal. It's a great choice for a summer dinner, highlighting the flavors of the veggies without any cream.

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    Lemon Chicken Pasta

    Lemon chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Lemon chicken pasta is a family favorite that's quick and easy to make. It features spaghetti tossed in a creamy lemon garlic Parmesan sauce, topped with sautéed chicken for a simple yet tasty meal.

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    Creamy Lemon Pesto Pasta

    Creamy lemon pesto pasta on a white plate.
    Photo Credit: Home Cooking Collective.

    Creamy lemon pesto pasta is a simple and tasty dish that combines fresh lemon zest, juice, pine nuts, herbs, and plenty of cheese. It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a comforting option for any weeknight dinner.

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    Pistachio Pesto Pasta

    A plate of pistachio pesto pasta.
    Photo Credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    This dish combines tender pasta with a delicious homemade pistachio pesto, along with juicy tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and fresh greens. It's a comforting meal that's perfect for any day.

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    Tortellini with Ham and Peas

    Tortellini with ham and peas on a plate.
    Photo Credit: The Pasta Project.

    This classic Italian pasta dish is loved by everyone for its easy preparation and great flavor. It's a satisfying choice for lunch or a cozy dinner.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta

    Buffalo chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a simple and flavorful dish that brings together spicy buffalo sauce, creamy blue cheese, pasta, and chicken. It's a satisfying meal that's ready in no time.

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Shrimp Carbonara offers a fresh take on the classic Italian dish, ready in just 10 minutes. It combines the creamy richness of traditional Carbonara with perfectly cooked shrimp, creating a satisfying seafood and pasta meal without the need for cream.

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    Red Pesto Pasta with Roasted Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Red pesto pasta is a simple and delicious meal packed with vegetables and flavor. It works well with either homemade or store-bought pesto and can be enjoyed hot or cold.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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