12 pasta recipes with 5-star ratings that you'll make again and again
Pasta recipes you can trust: check out our five-star-rated favourites that you'll want to cook on repeat, from speedy midweek meals to crowd-pleasing family dinners
Pasta is endlessly versatile – whether for midweek cooking or easy dinner party entertaining, great pasta recipes quickly earn their place on regular meal rotation. These 12 pasta recipes have all been given five-star ratings (one has more than 1,000 ratings!) by people who've made and loved them. If you're looking for new pasta recipe inspiration, these are the ones to start with, from mastering traditional recipes to inventive new creations.
Don't be afraid to experiment too: use any pasta shape you have, sneak in extra veg or swap the herbs. With a trusted base recipe, you can't go too far wrong. Check out our vegetarian pasta recipes and vegan pasta recipes for more hits.
Don't forget to register for a My Good Food account to save and rate your favourite recipes to make later – you can organise them into your collections for easy access.
Best spaghetti bolognese
More than 1,000 ratings speak for themselves. Spaghetti bolognese is a timeless family favourite and our thoroughly tried-and-tested recipe ticks all the boxes. Clever tips and tricks like using bacon alongside beef mince, a trio of fresh and dried herbs for depth and a touch of chilli make this a must-try. Cook the sauce in large batches and freeze for busy weeks.
For a twist on the original, try our five-star rated stuffed pasta bake bolognese next.
Pasta all vodka
You've seen vodka pasta on restaurant menus and all over social media, now this is the easy recipe to recreate at home. With a handful of largely storecupboard ingredients (use any pasta shape you like) and just 30 minutes, you can sit back and tuck into this creamy tomato pasta. Although it sounds unusual, the alcohol in the vodka burns off during cooking and simply leaves a balanced depth to the intensity of the tomatoes.
Creamy garlic pasta
A cult five-star favourite for the garlic lovers out there, this creamy tagliatelle makes a rich and comforting midweek meal. Garlic and plenty of black pepper are toasted in foaming butter and made into a silky, decadent sauce. Serve with a green salad to cut through the richness.
Check out more garlic recipes for everything from twists on garlic bread to classic chicken kyiv.
Olive, cauliflower & harissa pasta
Raid your cupboards and up your plant foods count with this popular vegan pasta recipe. Harissa is a great way of adding a dollop of warmth and spice to your pasta, paired here with nutty cauliflower and tangy olives.
Use up your jar of harissa with more harissa recipes.
Classic lasagne
Knowing how to cook a classic lasagne is a great skill to master and readers can't get enough of this highly rated recipe. A family favourite and popular crowd pleaser at dinner parties, it's freezable too so you can make ahead of time. For vegetarians, try this five-star creamy courgette lasagne.
Short on time? This fun five ingredient ravioli lasagne recipe (also rated five stars) is perfect for busy weeknights, using a packet of ravioli as a clever time-saving hack.
Ultimate spaghetti carbonara
A carbonara is a classic that sparks hot debate – cream or no cream? Egg whites or just the yolks? This is our version with a controversial hint of garlic, plus a mixture of two cheeses (pecorino and parmesan) for super silky results.
Next, carbonara fans should try decadent carbonara arancini.
Lemony tuna, tomato & caper pasta
There's plenty of ways to make a tuna pasta but this light and fresh version has proved very popular. Paired with cherry tomatoes and lemon zest for brightness, this is a sophisticated take on a budget-friendly midweek meal.
Discover more tuna pasta recipes.
Spaghetti puttanesca
Dig into your cupboards and you might already have everything you need for this popular puttanesca pasta recipe. Olives, anchovies, chilli flakes and capers combine for a salty, tangy and umami-rich pasta sauce. It is traditionally served with spaghetti but you can use any pasta shape you have.
See more sensational spaghetti recipes.
Chicken pasta bake
It's always handy to have a pasta bake recipe up your sleeve for cold winter nights. This chicken pasta bake recipe has over 700 ratings and has a creamy tomato sauce and bubbling melting cheese topping. You could even sneak in some extra veg by adding spinach or roasted peppers to the tomato sauce.
Enjoy with a fresh green salad – try this green salad with olive dressing.
Best ever macaroni cheese
Macaroni cheese is an ultimate comfort food that works as a main meal by itself, or can be a special side to barbecue dishes and slow-cooked meat. This version uses a combination of extra mature cheddar and parmesan for a strong cheesy flavour and is topped with crisp baguette croutons for extra crunch.
Check out more macaroni cheese recipes.
Fajita-style pasta
Mexican and Italian cuisines combine in this easy pasta, ready in just 35 minutes. Peppers, onion and chicken are cooked until tender in a selection of aromatic herbs and spices, to recreate the flavours of fajitas, and then finished with cream to become an easy pasta sauce.
Next, try these baked sweet potatoes with steak fajita filling.
Next-level meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs is a timeless classic. Barney Desmazery has given it the next-level treatment for the ultimate recipe filled with clever tips and tricks to make this the best. Milk-soaked bread makes the meatballs light and plump, as does using a combination of beef and pork mince. Plus, there's a surprise hidden inside the meatballs with a melting mozzarella middle.
Enjoyed this? Check out more pasta inspiration...
Top 10 most popular recipes
Best 5-ingredient pasta recipes
How to cook pasta in the microwave
Top 20 most comforting pasta dishes
Is pasta healthy?
Top 10 pasta recipes to feed a crowd
No-cook pasta sauce recipes
Best pasta alternatives
Top 10 storecupboard pasta ideas
The best wines to drink with pasta
10 easy healthy pasta recipes
