Does your idea of a pasta dinner consist of lukewarm ravioli straight out of the can or some store-bought marinara sauce thrown over limp spaghetti noodles? It doesn’t have to be! You can do all sorts of magical things with the beloved Italian dishes, as you’ll see with these 10 fun pasta recipes.
1. Spaghetti Loaf
The scent of fresh-baked bread wafting from the oven disguises this spaghetti-pizza extravaganza. It may be illegal in parts of Italy to pile all these goodies together into one dish, but as the marathon runners among us know, sometimes you need sustenance. And as the emotional among us know, sometimes you need comfort food. Well, this dish is an unbeatable combo that provides everything you need and more. Get the full recipe here.
2. Macaroni Noodle Bundt Cake
This recipe should win the prize for most surprising Bundt cake of the year. After cutting into the crispy ham ring, you’ll find a beautiful pasta and tomato creation that also tastes amazing. The presentation might strike you as a bit odd at first, but trust us – you’ll love it once you take your first bite! Get the full recipe here.
3. Spaghetti & Meatball Sandwich
As tasty as spaghetti and meatballs are, the chaotic way they spread all over the plate can be a real horror for clean freaks or true sticklers for order. But as this recipe proves, it’s possible to serve this dish in a much neater way with nice orderly layers. Get the full recipe here.
4. Carbonara Casserole With Camembert
Urban legend tells us that American soldiers and their ready supply of bacon and eggs gave rise to today’s staple carbonara during the allied occupation of Rome in WWII. And for that, we could not be more grateful because we don’t even want to imagine a world lacking this culinary wonder. There’s only one extra thing that could make this casserole recipe even better, and that’s lots and lots of cheese. Get the full recipe here.
5. Macaroni & Spinach Tart
According to Michelin star chefs and experienced home cooks alike, the secret to any good Italian dish is esagera — put more of everything in — and so it is with this mouthwatering recipe. In addition, we also decided to get creative in our presentation. In fact, you’ll love the pie crust! Get the full recipe here.
6. Mini Pasta Rolls With Ground Beef
When it comes to the best hearty Italian foods, it’s always a tough choice between spaghetti bolognese or lasagna. While both tasty dishes use similar ingredients, the end result is actually quite different. So if you’re struggling to choose what to have for dinner tonight, this innovative recipe may be a reasonable compromise. Get the full recipe here.
7. Pasta Cake With Grilled Eggplant
With plenty of fresh herbs, Mediterranean aromas, and colorful ingredients, Italian cuisine is always a winner. Pasta dishes are particularly popular, as different sauces and garnishes can be used to create a whole variety of delicious meals. And sometimes you get the best results when you’re feeling experimental, as we found out with our mouthwatering pasta cake with grilled eggplant. Get the full recipe here.
8. Mac & Cheese Pancakes
There are certain foods that will forever be hard to resist: pizza, pancakes, warm chocolate cake, macaroni and cheese… the list goes on. Though they all score high on the taste scale, this does not necessarily mean that two or more of these dishes should be served on the same plate, let alone together! But then there are those sweet, sweet times when they make the perfect combination, like in this dish! Get the full recipe here.
9. Beef Stroganoff Burger
Is it a burger, a pasta dish, or a newly defined type of beef stroganoff? Why not all of the above? After all, creating good food is all about reinventing the classics. Prepare to be amazed by all the delicious feels that this 3-in-one dish has in store for you! Get the full recipe here.
10. Ravioli Pizza Bites
Pizza rolls are the perfect throwback to your childhood, and while they’re certainly delicious, you’ve probably developed a more refined palate in your adult years. Or even if you haven’t, it’s hard to say no to stuffed pasta. So if you’re looking to branch out and find a middle ground between after-school snacks, party finger foods, and fancy dinner options, give this homemade ravioli a try! Get the full recipe here.
These crazy recipes will also give you the chance to experiment with new ideas and baking molds: cookie cutters, ice cube trays, bundt pans, you name it! And the results not only look great, they also taste delicious.