23 Best Spaghetti Recipes

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 09/24/20
Instant pot spaghetti dinner recipe

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

There's really nothing quick or easier to make than spaghetti. The thin pasta is always a crowd-pleaser, but it doesn't have to be boring. Mix up your pasta night with our wide range of delicious spaghetti recipes.

To cook spaghetti, boil a big pot of salted water and add the pasta, stirring to make sure it doesn't stick to itself or the pan. Boil until al dente and drain before tossing in sauce (check the pasta package for specific times). To check for doneness, retrieve a strand of spaghetti and taste. It should retain some firmness in the center of the pasta while still being tender. If it's crunchy, cook it a minute or two longer.

Bonus: All of these recipes will also work with whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti.

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  • 01 of 23

    Skillet Spaghetti

    Skillet spaghetti recipe

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Made with precooked meatballs and jarred marinara sauce, this one-skillet meal is ready in less than 45 minutes. Use a high-quality sauce for a better skillet spaghetti experience. For a set-it-and-forget-it meal, make spaghetti and meatballs in the crock pot.

  • 02 of 23

    Shrimp and Fresh Pesto Pasta

    Shrimp and Fresh Pesto Pasta Recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

    Shrimp and fresh pesto pasta is a delicious way to enjoy spaghetti. Light, vibrantly flavored, and easy, it will easily become a new favorite. The pesto is made with pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses for lots of cheesy flavor.

  • 03 of 23

    Garlic Spaghetti (Spaghetti Aglio e Olio)

    spaghetti aglio e olio

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

    For a very simple but delicious meal, make garlic spaghetti. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a real crowd-pleaser and easy to embellish with grilled chicken, beans, roasted veggies, and more.

  • 04 of 23

    Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef and Cheese

    Spaghetti Casserole recipe

     The Spruce

    Combine cooked pasta, ground beef, tomato sauce, and mushrooms for a hearty, warming spaghetti casserole. Topped with melty cheese, it's a great way to feed a hungry crowd.

    Continue to 5 of 23 below.
  • 05 of 23

    Greek Spaghetti

    Greek Spaghetti

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    For a different take on the standard spaghetti dinner, top pasta with whole roasted tomatoes, olives, capers, feta, and herbs like oregano, mint, and parsley. Greek spaghetti is a meal in a bowl but also tastes great with a simple salad for a balanced meal.

  • 06 of 23

    Spaghetti and Squid in Squid Ink Sauce

    Spaghetti al nero di seppia recipe

    ​The Spruce Eats / Diana Mocanu

    Spaghetti with squid ink sauce is perfect for seafood lovers. The ink gives the pasta a black appearance, making it fun to eat. Find the freshest squid you can for the best dish possible.

  • 07 of 23

    Luscious, Creamy Spaghetti Carbonara

    spaghetti carbonara

    The Spruce

    Spaghetti carbonara is a classic for a reason. The combination of pasta, egg, cheese, cream, and bacon is irresistible. Don't forget to save some pasta water before draining the spaghetti so you can adjust the consistency of the sauce.

  • 08 of 23

    Tuna Spaghetti Casserole

    Tuna casserole with spaghetti recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    Creamy and savory, tuna spaghetti casserole is easy and serves a crowd. Made with cream of mushroom soup and canned tuna, chances are you have the ingredients on hand. Top with crushed potato chips for a crispy crunch on top.

    Continue to 9 of 23 below.
  • 09 of 23

    Chicken Spaghetti

    Chicken spaghetti recipe

    ​The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Swap the standard meatballs for healthier, protein-rich chicken breasts. This chicken spaghetti comes together in just half an hour and tastes great with a simple side salad or a sauteed veggie like broccoli.

  • 10 of 23

    Pesto Salmon Pasta

    Pesto salmon pasta

    The Spruce

    For a quick meal, combine leftover grilled salmon steaks, store-bought or leftover pesto, cream, and spaghetti. All of the flavors meld together perfectly and it's ready in less than 30 minutes. Pesto salmon pasta is a kitchen sink meal that still feels special.

  • 11 of 23

    Pizza Spaghetti Pie

    Pizza Spaghetti Pie

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Somewhere in between a pizza, spaghetti, and lasagna dinner, this pizza spaghetti pie is the ultimate dinner. Pepperoni adds salty spice and spinach adds color and nutrition.

  • 12 of 23

    Super Easy Cacio e Pepe Pasta

    Super Easy Cacio e Pepe Pasta

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

    This three-ingredient super easy cacio e pepe pasta recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Using the best cheese you can find and fresh-ground pepper makes this dish company-worthy.

    Continue to 13 of 23 below.
  • 13 of 23

    Instant Pot Spaghetti Dinner

    Instant pot spaghetti dinner recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    Did you know you can make an entire spaghetti dinner in an electric pressure cooker? For a quick and easy meal, it can't be beat. Swap the ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter option.

  • 14 of 23

    Easy White Clam Sauce

    White clam sauce

    The Spruce

    Using mostly pantry ingredients, you can have a quick pasta with white clam sauce in no time. A dusting of fresh parsley adds color and freshness. Add a squeeze of lemon if you have it.

  • 15 of 23

    Spaghetti in the Microwave

    Spaghetti in the microwave

    The Spruce

    Don't want to crank up the oven? Make your spaghetti in the microwave! Make a completely microwaved meal when you serve your pasta main dish with asparagus.

  • 16 of 23

    Creamy Four Cheese Pasta with Garlic

    creamy four cheese spaghetti

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    For a sophisticated and flavorful take on mac and cheese, make this creamy four cheese pasta. The combination of Asiago, Parmesan, pecorino Romano, and soft cream cheese is made even better by the addition of garlic.

    Continue to 17 of 23 below.
  • 17 of 23

    Quick and Easy Turkey Tetrazzini

    Turkey Tetrazzini recipe

     The Spruce

    Turkey tetrazzini is super creamy with a mushroom and cheddar cheese sauce. Leftover cooked, cubed turkey and cooked spaghetti make it a meal the whole family will love.

  • 18 of 23

    Pasta con le Sarde

    pasta con sarde

    The Spruce / Pete Scherer 

    Pasta con le Sarde, with a lightly sweet citrus sauce of orange juice, white wine, and saffron, is the national dish of Siciliy. Sardines, fennel seeds, garlic, and currants add tons of flavor.

  • 19 of 23

    Vegan Pasta Puttanesca With Capers and Olives

    Vegan pasta puttanesca with capers and olives

    The Spruce

    There's no need for cheese in this flavor-packed pasta puttanesca. Olives, capers, and garlic stud the simple tomato sauce. Top with fresh basil if you have it on hand.

  • 20 of 23

    Easy Blue Cheese Sauce Pasta

    Easy blue cheese sauce recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Change things up from the standard tomato or alfredo sauce with this easy blue cheese sauce. The spaghetti dish will differ slightly based on what kind of blue cheese you buy.

    Continue to 21 of 23 below.
  • 21 of 23

    Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti Casserole

    Meatless Baked Spaghetti Casserole

    The Spruce

    Using just a few pantry ingredients you can throw together this baked spaghetti casserole. Add additional ingredients to make it a full meal, like mushrooms, ground meat, or chopped, drained spinach.

  • 22 of 23

    Garlic Lemon Shrimp With Pasta

    Garlic lemon shrimp with pasta

    The Spruce / Andrew Bui

    Nothing is much better than shrimp, garlic, and white wine. Combined with spaghetti and a little parmesan, it's an easy meal that feels special. Serve garlic lemon shrimp pasta with more white wine.

  • 23 of 23

    Easy Vegan Nutritional Yeast Pasta

    Easy vegan nutritional yeast pasta recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Anastasiia Tretiak

    Nutritional yeast is a healthy ingredient that has a savory, cheesy flavor. Use it to make this vegan nutritional yeast pasta for a healthier option than your typical cheese sauce.