Who says fancy pasta has to be complicated? These 10 easy and fancy pasta recipes prove that you can create restaurant-worthy dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. Perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or impressing guests, these recipes combine simple ingredients with bold flavors for pasta that looks and tastes gourmet—but is incredibly approachable.
Start with creamy garlic parmesan fettuccine, a rich, silky dish that’s ready in under 20 minutes. For something with a fresh twist, lemon basil spaghetti combines bright citrus, fragrant herbs, and a touch of olive oil for a light yet elegant meal. Shrimp scampi pasta is another classic, with tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter and tossed with linguine for a quick, indulgent dinner.
If you love a bit of spice, spicy arrabbiata penne brings a fiery kick with red pepper flakes and a rich tomato sauce. For comfort-food flair, try baked cheesy ravioli, where tender pasta pockets are smothered in marinara and melted mozzarella. Mushroom and truffle oil linguine delivers earthy, decadent flavors that feel gourmet without complicated steps.
Seafood lovers will enjoy salmon and spinach pasta, combining flaky salmon, fresh greens, and a light cream sauce for a bright, satisfying dish. Pesto gnocchi with cherry tomatoes is another quick favorite, where pillowy gnocchi is coated in vibrant basil pesto for a stunning, easy-to-make meal.
For a unique take on classic flavors, caprese spaghetti mixes fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil into perfectly cooked pasta, finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. And for those who crave indulgence, creamy carbonara with pancetta delivers a silky sauce, crispy pancetta, and plenty of Parmesan for a luxurious finish.
These easy fancy pasta recipes prove that you don’t need to be a professional chef to create meals that impress. With simple techniques, fresh ingredients, and minimal cleanup, you can enjoy gourmet pasta any night of the week. Perfect for busy cooks who want flavor, elegance, and ease all in one plate.
Creamy Pesto Shrimp
This pesto shrimp recipe is ready in only 30 minutes. To make it even easier, you can use a pre-made pesto. “This was absolutely wonderful!!!! My family gobbled it all up, 2nds and 3rds for everyone. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves shrimp and wants something really easy to make. mmmm good,” according to reviewer LLEABROOKS.
Tomato-Cream Sauce for Pasta
Top your favorite pasta with this creamy tomato sauce. You can puree all the ingredients for a smoother sauce, and add toppings — such as sautéed mushrooms, chicken, or pork.
Kaese Spaetzle
We’re traveling north of Italy for this dish, which is often referred to as Germany’s version of macaroni and cheese. It’s made with homemade egg noodles and Emmentaler, a type of Swiss cheese. Many reviewers suggest adding bacon to the recipe, which eliminates the need for butter, as you can use the bacon fat instead. “This recipe is better than any I had in Germany or Austria. My husband loved it (he grew up in Germany eating tons of spaetzle) as did everybody else, including the kids,” says reviewer jalexandropoulos.
Champagne Shrimp and Pasta
Nothing says fancy quite like champagne. For this recipe, the elements of the sauce are cooked in champagne, then tossed with angel hair pasta and topped with fresh parsley and shaved Parmesan. Reviewers say you can use any type of sparkling wine, but not to skimp on quality. “Incredible! Probably the best pasta I have ever eaten, and I have eaten in Michelin starred restaurants in Italy,” according to reviewer doctorsnafu.
Rustic Sausage Pasta
This colorful dish is packed with vegetables in a savory red tomato sauce. The recipe calls for Italian sausage, so you can use sweet or hot depending on preference. To save time, reviewers suggest using frozen vegetables.
Habanero Pepper Cream Pasta
“This is a wonderfully spicy cream pasta with a hint of garlic and shallots. You also can add sautéed chicken or shrimp. Very easy and quick sauce to make if you are looking for a spicy entrée,” according to recipe creator Stefanie Magee Magnuson.
Gnocchi
Homemade gnocchi may sound intimidating, but this recipe only requires three ingredients and takes just an hour. All you need are potatoes, flour, and eggs, plus your favorite sauce to finish the dish.
Garlic Noodles
These exceptionally easy garlic noodles are inspired by a dish from San Francisco restaurant Thanh Long. The “secret sauce,” which combines soy, oyster, Worcestershire, and fish sauces with sesame oil and cayenne pepper, comes together to make a delicious end result. Creator Chef John uses spaghetti noodles in his recipe, but he says you can replace them with Chinese egg noodles or ramen.
Teena’s Spicy Pesto Chicken and Pasta
Teena’s spicy pesto pasta is ready in less than an hour and can be easily adjusted to your desired heat level. Reviewers say that using the recommended chili paste is a must, and that if you can’t find it to look in your grocery store’s fresh produce aisle, try a specialty grocery store, or make your own.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
This Cajun pasta is a robust dish that packs tons of flavor. Some reviewers say the sauce is a little thin, but you can add more Parmesan cheese to thicken it.
