Dinner ideas

The ultimate pasta recipe collection

From quick family dinners to crowd pleasing pasta bakes, here's our collection of the best pasta recipes!
bowl of fettuccine carbonara topped with parmesan cheese

This fettuccine carbonara is sure to please the table (recipe below).

Perfect pasta recipes

Pasta is an unbelievably versatile pantry staple; it’s quick, simple, and with just a few fresh ingredients, it can be transformed into a delicious and comforting midweek meal.

Our collection of pasta dishes go beyond simple dishes like a chicken pasta salad or macaroni and cheese, and feature family favourites like spag bol and easy-as lasagne, heartier pasta ideas like cannelloni and a raft of vegetarian-friendly pastas and slow-cooked pasta dinner recipes like our beef ragu and bolognese.

Not only will our collection of best pasta recipes inspire you every day of the week, but will impress even the pickiest eaters.

Love cooking with pasta? Try our delicious pasta bake recipes?

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01

Fresh pesto pasta

Fresh pesto pasta

This fresh pesto pasta recipe uses penne, but spaghetti, fettuccine and gnocchi also work well.

02

Slow cooked bolognese

Slow cooked bolognese

This slow-cooked bolognese sauce takes the original and gives it a depth of flavour that only comes with time reducing on the stove.

Looking for more bolognese recipes? Try our recipe collection: 28 easy bolognese recipes.

03

Speedy hot smoked salmon

Hot smoked salmon pasta with tomatoes and crispy capers

Have this speedy dinner recipe on the table in 20 minutes. You can swap the hot smoked salmon for barbecue chicken if you’d prefer.

04

ragu with paparedelle

Slow-cooked beef ragu with pappardelle

A hearty pasta dish that elevates an economical cut of meat like gravy beef (shin) through slow cooking. Best of all, this recipe includes instructions for the slow cooker AND the oven.

spaghetti carbonara

05

Traditional carbonara

15-minute spaghetti carbonara

This spaghetti carbonara recipe requires just a few ingredients. It’s low in effort and high in flavour.

fresh pasta

06

Fresh pasta

Fresh pasta

CANNELLONI STRAIGHT-UP
(Credit: Australian Women’s Weekly)

07

Cannelloni straight-up

Cannelloni straight-up

With a herbaceous beef filling and cheesy sauce, this classic tubular pasta bake makes for a stand out way to feed the entire family. It even makes enough to reheat for an easy weeknight meal.

08

Pasta al forno – Italian sausage pasta bake

Pasta al forno – Italian sausage pasta bake

This Italian-style pasta bake is the quintessential comfort food!

prawn and scallop tortellini

09

Prawn and scallop tortellini

Prawn and scallop tortellini

These aren’t your ordinary tortellini, they’re much easier and tastier!

Fettuccine carbonara
(Credit: James Moffatt Photography)

10

Fettuccine carbonara

Fettucine carbonara

Fettuccine carbonara is a comfort food classic with salty cured pancetta and a creamy sauce.

CHICKEN, FETTA AND MUSHROOM PASTA

11

Chicken, mushroom and fetta pasta

Chicken, mushroom and fetta pasta

This chicken and mushroom pasta is given something extra special when topped with fetta and freshly sliced spring onions. On the table in half an hour

cheesy pasta and vegetable bake
(Credit: Australian Women’s Weekly)

12

Cheesy vegetable pasta bake

Cheesy vegetable pasta bake

This classic combination serves as the ideal dish for a family celebration and weeknight dinner.

CHICKEN AND SPINACH BAKE

13

Chicken and spinach bake

Chicken and spinach bake

This simple throw together meal featuring barbecue chicken, pasta sauce, lasagne sheets and cheese is made in one pan making clean up simple too

14

Slow-cooked beef ragu with pappardelle

Slow-cooked beef ragu with pappardelle

This rich Italian beef ragu sauce is served with light pappardelle pasta for a slow-cooked twist on bolognese. Comfort food all year round.

15

Leek and mushroom lasagne

Switch things up with this spin on the classic – delicious leek and mushroom lasagne. Perfect for any occasion, and packed full of flavour!

Spinach recipes

16

Ricotta and spinach pasta shell bake

Ricotta and spinach pasta shell bake

This rich and gooey bake of filled giant pasta shells with a tasty spinach and ricotta mixture, drowned in tomato sauce is perfect for family dinners.

17

Spelt pasta with silky cauliflower sauce

Spelt pasta with silky cauliflower sauce

Combining the nutty flavour of spelt pasta with our silky cauliflower sauce, this pasta dish is a wonderful idea for an easy dinner.

Vegetarian lasagne recipes

18

Pumpkin, ricotta and goats cheese lasagne

Pumpkin, ricotta and goats cheese lasagne

This vegetarian lasagne is packed full of roasted pumpkin, spinach and goats’ cheese for a full flavoured pasta bake the family will love.

19

Slow-cooked lamb and rosemary pasta

Slow-cooked lamb and rosemary pasta

Make leftover lamb into something spectacular.

Dairy-free carbonara

20

Dairy-free carbonara

Dairy-free carbonara

This dairy-free carbonara is thickened with eggs (the traditional way) and a dairy-free parmesan making it a healthier option.

21

Pasta wintervera

Pasta wintervera

Create this fresh and easy winter pasta in 30 minutes with only a few simple ingredients for a delicious meal when you’re short on time or energy.

fish parcels

22

Gluten-free fettuccine with arrabbiata sauce

Gluten-free fettuccine with arrabbiata sauce

This tender and tasty gluten-free pasta is served with the classic tomato-based arrabbiata sauce that gets a spicy kick from the chilli flakes

23

Cauliflower mac ‘n’ cheese

Cauliflower mac ‘n’ cheese

You’ll love this vegged up version of the creamy, cheesy classic pasta bake with the addition of versatile cauliflower.

24

Caulifower mac ‘n’ cheese

Caulifower mac ‘n’ cheese

Traditional comfort food is given a vegan twist with this creamy cauliflower mac ‘n’ cheese.

Mushroom and goat’s cheese ravioli

25

Mushroom and goat’s cheese ravioli

Mushroom and goat’s cheese ravioli

A restaurant-quality dish that will become your weeknight go-to. The earthy filling can be made a day ahead, saving you time when you need it most.

chicken pasta bake

26

Chicken and pesto pasta bake

Chicken and pesto pasta bake

This delicious chicken pesto pasta bake contains no cream for a healthy take on the classic recipe. Serve with cheese, pine nuts and homemade pesto.

Vegan macaroni and cheese with tempeh bacon bits
(Credit: Jeremy Simons)

27

Vegan macaroni and cheese with tempeh bacon bits

Vegan macaroni and cheese with tempeh bacon bits

No one should miss out on this ultimate comfort food!

cheesy tuna pasta bake

28

Cheesy tuna pasta bake

This cheesy tuna bake is comfort food at it’s finest. Even better? It’s made with everyday pantry items and you can have it on the table in just 15 minutes. Friday nights in just got so much tastier…

Baked Bolognese Pasta
(Credit: Australian Women’s Weekly)

29

Baked bolognese pasta

Baked bolognese pasta

A creamy layer of ricotta and parmesan is just the tip of this delicious recipe. Hearty veal and pork mince pasta satisfy your winter comfort food cravings.

30

Spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli

Spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli

Camping food doesn’t need to be complicated or boring! This quick and simple pasta is easy to whip up at the campground.

31

Creamy beef and mushroom rigatoni

Creamy beef and mushroom rigatoni

You need a quick and comforting meal that tastes restaurant quality then this beef and mushroom rigatoni is the meal for you. With stroganoff-style flavours of creamy mushroom and beef with a hint of brandy make this easy pasta meal a little bit special.

32

Spinach tomato and lemon one pot linguine

Spinach, tomato and lemon one pot linguine

Save washing up with this tasty vegetarian one pot pasta.

33

Vegetarian bolognese

Vegetarian bolognese

34

Linguine with garlic prawns & chorizo

Linguine with garlic prawns & chorizo

35

Broccoli mac and cheese

Broccoli mac and cheese

36

Roast vegetable spelt pasta

Roast vegetable spelt pasta

37

Spinach and broccolini pasta with rocket and walnut pesto

Spinach and broccolini pasta with rocket and walnut pesto

38

Pasta with radishes and their tops

Pasta with radishes and their tops

39

Rigatoni with arrabbiata and chorizo sauce

Rigatoni with arrabbiata and chorizo sauce

40

Spaghetti bolognese

Spaghetti bolognese

Easy Lasagne
(Credit: Australian Women’s Weekly)

41

Easy lasagne

Easy lasagne

42

Zucchini “spaghetti” with tomato and fetta

Zucchini “spaghetti” with tomato and fetta

43

Spinach and ricotta cannelloni

Spinach and ricotta cannelloni

Orecchiette with smoked trout and broccolini

44

Orecchiette with smoked trout and broccolini

Orecchiette with smoked trout and broccolini

45

Spicy prawn linguine

Spicy prawn linguine

Pasta with spinach, mushrooms & almonds

46

Pasta with spinach, mushrooms and almonds

Pasta with spinach, mushrooms and almonds

Pasta with zucchini and lemon garlic sauce

47

Pasta with zucchini and lemon garlic sauce

Pasta with zucchini and lemon garlic sauce

Photography: Brett Stevens/Styling: Yael Grinham

48

Eggplant and pesto baked pasta

Eggplant and pesto baked pasta

cheesy pasta and vegetable bake
(Credit: Australian Women’s Weekly)

49

Cheesy pasta and vegetable bake

Cheesy pasta and vegetable bake

50

Spinach, cheese and potato cannelloni

Spinach, cheese and potato cannelloni

51

Baked risotto with chorizo and cherry tomatoes

Baked risotto with chorizo and cherry tomatoes

52

Linguine with garlic prawns

Linguine with garlic prawns

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