Sarra Ina Garten pasta recipes cover everything from a 15-minute garlic spaghetti you can make at midnight to bubbling lasagnas loaded with ricotta and mushrooms. These 20 tested favorites include creamy mac and cheese, buttery shrimp scampi, baked ziti with sausage, and bright pasta salads perfect for summer.
1. Midnight Pasta
Garlic slices sizzle in olive oil with red pepper flakes until golden, then get tossed with hot spaghetti, lemon zest, parsley, and a shower of Parmesan. The whole thing comes together in about 15 minutes with pantry staples you probably already have. It is the kind of simple, savory bowl you crave late at night.
2. Summer Garden Pasta
Cherry tomatoes are halved and tossed with olive oil, garlic, basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes into a bright, no-cook sauce. Hot angel hair pasta melts everything together while fresh mozzarella softens into creamy pockets throughout. Ready in just 15 minutes, this tastes like summer in a bowl.
3. Linguine With Shrimp Scampi
Plump shrimp are sautéed in butter, olive oil, and garlic, then finished with a generous squeeze of lemon juice and fresh parsley. The buttery pan sauce coats every strand of linguine with a bright, savory glaze. Done in about 30 minutes, this is one of the fastest elegant dinners in the lineup.
4. Lemon Shrimp Pasta
Bright lemon zest and fresh juice build a tangy, buttery sauce around sautéed shrimp, garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes. The sauce clings to linguine and gets finished with Parmesan and fresh basil. Ready in about 25 minutes, it is lighter and zestier than a traditional scampi.
5. Spring Green Spaghetti Carbonara
Crispy pancetta is tossed with hot spaghetti, peas, asparagus, and a rich egg-and-Parmesan sauce that turns silky from the heat of the pasta. Lemon zest brightens the whole dish while the pancetta adds a salty, savory crunch. Ready in 30 minutes, this spring twist on carbonara is fresh and satisfying.
6. Spaghetti And Meatballs
Three-meat meatballs made with beef, turkey, and veal are mixed with fresh breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and parsley, then simmered in a rich crushed tomato sauce. The meatballs stay tender and juicy while the sauce thickens and clings to the spaghetti. Plan for about 1 hour from start to table.
7. Chicken Alfredo
Pan-seared chicken breasts are sliced and served over fettuccine tossed in a creamy sauce of heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, and butter. Fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon keep the richness balanced with a bright finish. The whole dinner comes together in about 40 minutes.
8. Pasta Primavera
Colorful zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and sugar snap peas are sautéed with garlic and tossed with penne in a light olive oil and Parmesan sauce. Every bite has a different vegetable with a crisp, fresh texture. Ready in about 35 minutes, this is a go-to for using up whatever is in the crisper drawer.
9. Mushroom Bolognese
Chopped cremini mushrooms are sautéed with onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until deeply browned, then simmered in red wine, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste. The mushrooms break down into a rich, meaty sauce with warm oregano and a hint of red pepper flakes. Done in about 55 minutes, this is a hearty vegetarian swap for traditional bolognese.
10. Fettuccine Alfredo
Silky heavy cream is reduced with butter until thick, then tossed with hot fettuccine and freshly grated Parmesan until every strand is coated in a velvety, golden sauce. A pinch of nutmeg adds a warm, subtle depth you can not quite place but would definitely miss. Done in about 25 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
11. Baked Ziti
Sausage and onions are browned, then layered with ziti, crushed tomatoes, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan before baking until bubbly and golden. The tomato paste and oregano give the sauce a concentrated, savory backbone that holds up under all that cheese. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes but feeds a crowd with almost no effort.
12. Mushroom Lasagna
Sautéed mushrooms are layered with no-boil noodles, a creamy béchamel sauce with nutmeg, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The mushrooms release their earthy juices into the béchamel as it bakes, creating a rich, savory filling. Plan for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, but the layering goes fast.
13. Seafood Lasagna
Layered noodles are filled with chopped shrimp, scallops, lump crab, spinach, ricotta, and mozzarella in a creamy béchamel sauce with a pinch of nutmeg. The seafood stays tender inside the lasagna while the top turns golden and bubbly with Parmesan. Ready in about 1 hour and 10 minutes, this is a showstopper for a special dinner.
14. Turkey Lasagna
Ground turkey is simmered in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste with oregano and garlic, then layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The triple-tomato sauce keeps the turkey flavorful and the layers stay rich and saucy as it bakes. It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, but most of that is hands-off oven time.
15. Pastitsio
Penne is mixed with beaten eggs and Parmesan, then layered with a spiced ground lamb sauce and a thick, creamy béchamel. The whole casserole bakes until the top is golden and set while the inside stays rich and savory with crushed tomatoes and warm spices. Ready in about 1 hour and 35 minutes, this Greek-style baked pasta is cozy and deeply satisfying.
16. Truffle Mac And Cheese
Cavatappi is folded into a creamy sauce of Gruyère, white cheddar, and a touch of nutmeg, then finished with truffle oil and topped with buttery breadcrumbs before baking. The truffle adds an earthy, luxurious aroma that fills the whole kitchen. Done in about 45 minutes, this is mac and cheese dressed up for company.
17. Lobster Mac And Cheese
Tender chunks of lobster meat are folded into a rich Gruyère and cheddar béchamel with nutmeg, then baked until bubbly with golden breadcrumbs on top. The lobster stays sweet and buttery against the creamy, savory cheese sauce. Ready in about 50 minutes, this turns mac and cheese into something truly special.
18. Grown Up Mac And Cheese
Sharp white cheddar and Gruyère are melted into a nutmeg-spiked béchamel, then tossed with elbow macaroni and crispy diced pancetta. Buttery breadcrumbs bake into a golden, crunchy topping that contrasts the creamy interior. Done in about 1 hour, the pancetta and two-cheese blend make this anything but ordinary.
19. Roasted Vegetable Orzo
Roasted eggplant, bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini are tossed with orzo in a bright lemon-olive oil dressing. Crumbled feta and fresh herbs add a salty, tangy finish to every forkful. Ready in about 55 minutes and served at room temperature, this travels beautifully to picnics and potlucks.
20. Lobster Pasta Salad
Sweet lobster meat is tossed with small pasta, celery, scallions, and a creamy lemon-dill mayonnaise dressing. The lemon zest and fresh herbs keep everything tasting light and bright against the rich lobster. Done in about 25 minutes and served chilled, this is an elegant twist on a classic pasta salad.
