20 Spaghetti Recipes That’ll Make You Fall Even Harder For Pasta

Last night, I twirled my fork into a steaming plate of spaghetti and had what can only be described as a pasta epiphany.
There’s something magical about those long, slender strands that can transform into countless delicious meals.
Whether you’re a pasta purist or an adventurous foodie, these 20 spaghetti recipes will take your love affair with pasta to new, delicious heights.
1. Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Nothing beats the rich, meaty goodness of an authentic Bolognese sauce simmering on the stove for hours. The sweet tomatoes blend perfectly with savory ground beef and aromatic herbs.
Italian grandmothers have perfected this recipe over generations, insisting on slow cooking to develop those deep flavors. A sprinkle of fresh Parmesan and you’ve got comfort in a bowl!
2. Spaghetti Carbonara

Creamy without cream, Carbonara relies on the magic of eggs and cheese creating a silky sauce that coats each strand of pasta.
The salty pancetta adds a perfect punch of flavor that balances the richness. Romans take this dish seriously – no peas, no cream, just the pure beauty of simplicity.
When done right, it’s a heavenly combination of just five ingredients transformed into pasta perfection.
3. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Minimalism at its most delicious! This pantry staple recipe proves that spectacular flavor can come from just garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes.
The secret lies in gently toasting the garlic until golden and fragrant. A sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens everything up.
Italian fishermen traditionally enjoyed this simple dish after long days at sea, appreciating its quick preparation and bold flavors that come together in minutes.
4. Spaghetti and Meatballs

An Italian-American creation that’s pure nostalgic comfort food! These tender, juicy meatballs nestle into a vibrant tomato sauce that’s been simmering to sweet perfection.
The magic happens when you roll beef, pork, and breadcrumbs together with herbs and spices. Each meatball becomes a flavor bomb atop the pasta.
Popularized by immigrants in New York City during the early 1900s, this dish represents the beautiful marriage of Italian traditions with American abundance.
5. Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Bold, briny, and slightly spicy, Puttanesca sauce packs a flavor punch that will wake up your taste buds! Olives, capers, and anchovies create an umami-rich sauce with an attitude.
Legend has it this sauce was created by ladies of the night who needed something quick and flavorful between clients.
The name itself is rather scandalous in Italian! Whatever its origins, this pantry-friendly recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
6. Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

Rome’s famous three-ingredient wonder proves that simplicity often yields the most spectacular results. Just cheese, black pepper, and pasta water create a creamy, luxurious sauce that clings to every strand.
The technique is everything here – vigorously tossing hot pasta with Pecorino Romano and freshly cracked pepper.
Shepherds outside Rome created this portable meal centuries ago, carrying just dried pasta, aged cheese, and peppercorns as they tended their flocks.
7. Spaghetti Marinara

Sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy – like a perfect marinara sauce hugging strands of al dente spaghetti.
Sweet San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, and basil create pasta magic in just 20 minutes. The key is cooking the sauce just long enough to concentrate the tomato flavor without losing that fresh brightness.
A good marinara is the little black dress of pasta sauces – timeless, versatile, and always appropriate for any occasion!
8. Spaghetti with Clam Sauce

Briny ocean flavors dance with garlic and white wine in this coastal Italian classic. Fresh clams steam open right in the sauce, releasing their sweet juices that transform into liquid gold.
Choose between the red (with tomatoes) or white (without) version – both are spectacular!
The Italians call this ‘Spaghetti alle Vongole’ and consider it the taste of summer along the Mediterranean coast. Crusty bread for sauce-sopping is absolutely mandatory!
9. Baked Spaghetti

Comfort food gets an upgrade when spaghetti meets casserole! Layers of pasta, sauce, and multiple cheeses melt together in the oven to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
The edges get wonderfully crispy while the center stays gooey and delicious. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for busy weeknights.
This American-Italian fusion dish proves that pasta can be reinvented in the most delicious ways!
10. Spaghetti with Pesto Sauce

Bright, herbaceous, and utterly addictive, basil pesto transforms plain pasta into something extraordinary. The vibrant green sauce wraps around each strand, delivering garlicky, nutty perfection in every bite.
Traditional Genovese pesto combines basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil pounded together in a mortar and pestle.
Modern blenders make quick work of this sauce, but the flavors remain timeless. A handful of pasta water helps the sauce cling beautifully to the spaghetti.
11. Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Shrimp

Succulent shrimp bathed in garlicky butter create a quick yet luxurious pasta dinner that feels restaurant-worthy. The natural sweetness of the shrimp pairs beautifully with the rich sauce and tender pasta.
A squeeze of lemon brightens everything up with citrusy freshness.
Ready in just 20 minutes, this impressive dish is perfect for date night or when you need to feel fancy without much effort. The sauce is so good you’ll want to lick the plate clean!
12. Spaghetti alla Nerano

From the Amalfi Coast comes this dreamy pasta that transforms humble zucchini into something magical.
Thinly sliced zucchini is fried until golden, then tossed with pasta and cheese to create a creamy, unforgettable sauce.
Created in the 1950s by a restaurant owner in Nerano, this dish remains relatively unknown outside Italy.
The secret is in the provolone del Monaco cheese, which melts beautifully into the pasta. One bite and you’ll be transported to a sunny Italian seaside village!
13. Spaghetti with Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Velvety, rich, and decadent, Alfredo sauce transforms simple pasta into a luxurious experience.
Despite its fancy reputation, traditional Alfredo contains just three ingredients: butter, Parmesan, and pasta water! The American version adds cream for extra richness and stability.
Either way, the sauce coats each strand of spaghetti in silky deliciousness. Legend has it that restaurant owner Alfredo di Lelio created this dish in 1920s Rome to tempt his pregnant wife’s appetite.
14. Spaghetti with Roasted Vegetables

Caramelized veggies bring sweet, smoky flavors to this colorful pasta dish that celebrates the garden’s bounty.
Bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes roast until their flavors intensify and concentrate. Tossed with pasta, olive oil, and herbs, this dish is both healthy and satisfying.
Perfect for Meatless Monday or anytime you want a pasta dish that feels light yet substantial. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility – use whatever vegetables are in season!
15. Spaghetti with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach

Sweet concentrated tomatoes and fresh spinach create a beautiful balance of flavors in this vibrant pasta dish.
The sun-dried tomatoes add intense bursts of umami that contrast perfectly with the mild, earthy spinach. A splash of cream ties everything together into a sauce that’s both sophisticated and comforting.
Ready in just 15 minutes, this is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick but refuse to compromise on flavor. Garlic bread for dipping is highly recommended!
16. Spaghetti with Vodka Sauce

Mysteriously delicious, vodka sauce combines the brightness of tomatoes with the richness of cream, enhanced by a splash of spirits.
The vodka doesn’t make the sauce boozy – instead, it acts as an emulsifier and flavor enhancer. Popular in Italian-American restaurants since the 1970s, this blush-colored sauce has a cult following for good reason.
The alcohol cooks off completely, leaving behind a sauce that’s tangy, creamy, and utterly irresistible. Finish with a mountain of freshly grated Parmesan!
17. Spaghetti with Sausage and Peppers

Hearty, flavorful Italian sausage and sweet bell peppers create a rustic pasta dish that’s bursting with flavor.
The sausage renders its savory fat, which becomes part of the sauce, infusing everything with deliciousness. Colorful bell peppers add sweetness and visual appeal.
This crowd-pleasing combination has roots in Italian-American street fair food, where sausage and peppers sandwiches are legendary.
Transformed into a pasta dish, it becomes an easy weeknight dinner that satisfies serious hunger!
18. Spaghetti with Lemon and Parmesan

Bright, zesty, and refreshing, this sunshine-in-a-bowl pasta showcases the beautiful simplicity of Italian cooking. Fresh lemon zest and juice create a light sauce that’s perfect for warm evenings.
The Parmesan adds salty depth that balances the citrus perfectly. Popular along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, where lemons grow to enormous sizes, this dish captures Mediterranean summer in every bite.
Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s the perfect quick dinner that feels special without any fuss.
19. Spaghetti with Gorgonzola and Walnuts

Sophisticated yet simple, this grown-up pasta pairs tangy blue cheese with crunchy toasted walnuts for a flavor combination that’s absolutely magical.
The Gorgonzola melts into a creamy sauce that coats each strand of spaghetti. A touch of cream helps smooth out the sharp edges of the cheese.
Popular in northern Italy where both walnuts and Gorgonzola originate, this dish proves that pasta can be elegant and rustic at the same time.
The contrast between creamy sauce and crunchy nuts creates textural perfection!
20. Spaghetti with Mushroom Ragu

Deeply savory and satisfying, this vegetarian ragu harnesses the meaty texture and umami flavor of mushrooms to create a sauce that rivals any meat-based version.
A mix of wild and cultivated mushrooms provides complex flavor and hearty texture. A splash of red wine adds depth, while herbs like thyme and rosemary bring aromatic notes.
Even dedicated carnivores won’t miss the meat in this woodsy, rustic pasta that’s perfect for fall evenings. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors develop and intensify!