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    Home » Pasta

    19 Pasta Dishes So Good You'll Feel Like You're at a Restaurant

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated February 18, 2026 · Published February 21, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Pasta is one of those comforting dishes that can transport you straight to a cozy restaurant, no matter where you are. From creamy sauces to fresh herbs and vibrant vegetables, there are endless ways to prepare pasta that feel special and satisfying. Here are 18 pasta dishes that will make you feel like you're enjoying a night out, right at home.

    Pesto Pasta

    Easy Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Joy Food Sunshine.

    This pesto pasta is a quick and easy dish that you can prepare in just a few minutes. It works well as a main meal or a side, and you can enjoy it hot or cold.

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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 Cherry Tomato Pasta is a simple and delicious meal that feels like it came from a restaurant. In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a satisfying dish, and it's even better with some mozzarella or burrata cheese added on top.

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    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon pasta with crème fraîche, lemon, and chives is a simple yet delicious dish that feels like a restaurant meal. It's great for any weeknight and can be prepared with either fresh or frozen salmon, making it a light and refreshing option for any time of the year.

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    Turkey Ragù

    Easy Turkey Ragù Recipe
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    Turkey ragù pasta is a family favorite because it's easy to make and really tasty. This dish is perfect for a quick meal that feels like it came from a restaurant.

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    Antipasti Pasta Salad

    Antipasti Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: An Affair From the Heart.

    This Italian-inspired pasta salad is perfect for potlucks and ready in under 30 minutes. With tasty salami, pepperoni, grape tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, it's sure to please everyone.

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    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    Mushroom and sweet corn pasta features a creamy sauce that's simple to prepare. With mushrooms, charred corn, and a light cream sauce, this dish is quick and satisfying, perfect for a meatless meal in just 30 minutes.

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    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken is a quick and flavorful dinner that you can prepare in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce is packed with the rich taste of sun-dried tomatoes, crème fraîche, and a mix of dried herbs.

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a fresh take on the classic Italian favorite. With its creamy sauce and tender shrimp, this dish combines seafood and pasta in a simple meal that you can whip up in just 10 minutes.

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    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is packed with fresh veggies and can be ready in just 20 minutes, including prep time. It's a light and refreshing option for a quick dinner that doesn't rely on cream.

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    Brie Mac and Cheese

    Brie mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This is probably the creamiest and most flavorful Mac and Cheese ever! With two types of cheese this is a more elgant version of the classic, all done in one pan with no preboiling and no roux - just dump, bake, and enjoy.

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    Kung Pao Spaghetti

    Kung Pao Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Spice Cravings.

    Kung Pao Spaghetti is a fun take on your favorite Chinese takeout that you can whip up in your own kitchen. It's a simple dish that combines sweet and spicy flavors, perfect for the whole family.

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    Shredded Crab Tagliatelle

    Shredded Crab Tagliatelle.
    Photo credit: Flawless Food.

    This pasta dish offers a tasty twist that's sure to please. It's easy to prepare and makes great use of canned crab meat, all brought together with a flavorful sauce made from garlic, parsley, butter, lemon, and tomatoes.

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    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This creamy steak and mushroom pasta is paired with a cheesy casserole for a comforting yet fancy dinner. Ready in just 45 minutes, it's a simple one-pan meal that cuts down on cleanup.

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    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is full of flavor and feels like a meal from a nice restaurant. It features a spicy, creamy tomato sauce paired with crispy bacon, making it a satisfying choice.

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    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara offers a tasty take on a classic dish, packed with flavor just like what you'd find at a restaurant. It's a simple pasta recipe that will make you feel like a skilled chef.

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    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta combines tender shrimp with pasta and a flavorful garlic butter sauce, all ready in just 15 minutes. It's a simple way to enjoy a delicious meal that feels like dining out.

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    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara is simple to make and has the same great flavor as what you'd find at a nice restaurant.

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    Crock Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This creamy Tortellini Soup is a simple and tasty dish packed with fresh green vegetables. With just a few easy ingredients and minimal prep time, it's perfect for a cozy meal.

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    Spinach Lemon Orzo

    Spinach Lemon Orzo.
    Photo credit: Barley and Sage.

    Creamy spinach lemon orzo is a quick and tasty pasta dish that feels like a restaurant meal. Ready in just 20 minutes, it combines fresh spinach, lemon zest, and basil in a creamy sauce, making it great for a light dinner or a simple side.

    Get the recipe

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Red wine pasta sauce.
      Short on Time? These 17 Pasta Dinners Are Ready in 30 Minutes
    • Lemon ricotta pasta.
      12 Simple One-Pot Pasta Dinners for Easy Evenings
    • Cheesy spinach ricotta tortellini bake.
      Ricotta Spinach Tortellini Bake
    • Spicy sausage pasta.
      20 Fast, Easy Pasta Dinners Perfect for Busy Weeknights

    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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