25 Satisfying Spaghetti Recipes You'll Make Again and Again

Whether you’re sticking to a traditional take or getting saucy with a bold new twist, spaghetti is always a crowd-pleaser.

March 24, 2023

By: Lauren Tom Cerone

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A Time-Honored Classic

There’s nothing like a hearty bowl of al dente pasta, paired with exactly the right sauce (except maybe all the delicious things you can do with leftover cooked pasta!). When it comes to spaghetti, Bolognese is a classic but these long, thin noodles do especially well with lighter sauces too — ones that evenly coat the strands without weighing them down, like pesto, tomato and even creamy Alfredo sauce. Not sure where to start? This recipe relies on a simple, homemade tomato sauce and adds a tried-and-true favorite: meatballs.

Get the Recipe: The Best Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Ina’s spaghetti uses simple ingredients you most definitely have in the pantry, which makes it easy to whip up a satisfying meal in record time!

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Spaghetti with Pecan-Herb Pesto

Pecans add a touch of nutty sweetness to this simple and delicious pesto.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Pecan-Herb Pesto

Spaghetti Pie

Have you ever imagined spaghetti in pie form? No? You will now, thanks to Katie’s crave-worthy creation. It’s got everything you could ever want in a pasta dish: ricotta and parmesan cheese, hearty ground beef and savory-sweet tomato sauce to tie it all together.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Pie

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e Pepe is a beloved Roman dish made with things you can easily find in your pantry, but there are as many ways to make it as there are cooks in Italy. In this version, olive oil adds a little grassiness and Parmigiano-Reggiano, in addition to the classic Pecorino-Romano, is used to round out the flavors and add an umami richness. If you don't have Parmigiano in the house, simply make the dish with all Pecorino and lower the salt in your pasta water by a tablespoon.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

Turkey Spaghetti

Leftover turkey gets transformed into a bubbling, cheesy pasta casserole with just enough kick from pickled jalapenos.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Spaghetti

Spaghetti Bolognese

This is one of Geoffrey Zakarian’s daughter’s favorite dishes. She says, ”My dad makes the sauce fresh. It takes awhile, so we don’t have it very often. But it’s so good when we do!” We're sure this one will be a crowd-pleaser in your home too.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti with Zucchini and Squash

Lighten up your plate of spaghetti by replacing some of the noodles with long, thin strands of zucchini and yellow squash. It will still taste every bit as delicious!

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Zucchini and Squash

Quick and Easy Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

This speedy spaghetti dish uses just five ingredients: pasta, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan.

Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

For a quick dinner, whip up Tyler’s fan-favorite carbonara, a rich and satisfying tangle of pasta, pancetta and egg.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Drunken Spaghetti

An easy way to add rich flavor to your quick-and-easy plate of spaghetti? Cook the noodles in a blend of red wine and spices.

Get the Recipe: Drunken Spaghetti

Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp

When you need a quick and satisfying meal, pasta and seafood is the answer. Both cook up in a flash — and taste delicious!

Get the Recipe: Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp

Spaghetti-and-Meatballs Casserole

Eat spaghetti and meatballs by the slice instead of the bowl. Each slab of this kid-friendly casserole has tiny meatballs and pockets of gooey cheese. Add slices of leftover cooked Italian sausage if you have it.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti-and-Meatballs Casserole

Spaghetti with Oil and Garlic

Weeknights call for no-fuss meals that rely on ingredients you’ve got on hand. You’ll be surprised how this simple pasta dish fits the bill!

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Oil and Garlic (Aglio e Olio)

One-Pot Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

This one-pot meal is perfect for the beginner cook: Everything but the cheese goes into one skillet, and it all magically comes together. The tomato paste is here for a little flavor insurance, just in case your tomatoes aren't at their best. Feel free to add an extra tablespoon when they're out of season.

Get the Recipe: One-Pot Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Real Meatballs and Spaghetti

Ina uses a mix of ground beef, pork and veal for tender, juicy meatballs with absolutely perfect flavor. She doesn’t stop there though; she makes her own tomato sauce, flavored with a bit of good Chianti.

Get the Recipe: Real Meatballs and Spaghetti

Spaghetti with Ham and Brie

Swap out meatballs and parmesan with ham and brie for an easy way to change up a classic dish. The saltiness of the ham and the creaminess of the brie is the perfect combination with a heaping bowl of pasta.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Ham and Brie

Baked Spaghetti

This mash-up of lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce makes for a warming one-pan dinner. (And if you start with leftover cooked noodles and meat sauce, you're set for a super-fast weeknight meal.) Assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake when you're ready to serve.

Get the Recipe: Baked Spaghetti

Spaghetti Cacciatore

This version of tomato-based cacciatore sauce gets a nice, deep flavor (even though it comes together fast) thanks to the combination of thick-cut bacon and oyster mushrooms.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Cacciatore

Chicken Spaghetti

With spaghetti and mushroom sauce, and light and dark meat chicken with bell peppers, Ree Drummond's casserole is like two meals in one. Cooking the spaghetti in the same liquid as the chicken infuses it with flavor, and the Cheddar thickens the sauce so it coats each piece of meat.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti

Spaghetti and Meatballs

If you’re looking for an easy recipe that includes scratch-made meatballs and sauce, this is the one. It has hundreds of 5-star reviews!

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Lemony Ricotta Spaghetti

This creamy pasta pairs the bright flavor of lemon with the peppery notes of arugula.

Get the Recipe: Lemony Ricotta Spaghetti

Greek-Inspired Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian dish — but Ree gives it a Mediterranean-inspired twist by adding Greek feta to the meatballs.

Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti & Meatballs

Bacon and Egg Spaghetti

There are so many dishes that taste even more delicious when topped with an egg — and spaghetti is one of them. Add bits of bacon, parmesan cheese and some chopped fresh chives and you’ve got yourself a winning meal!

Get the Recipe: Bacon and Egg Spaghetti

Spaghetti Carbonara

The key to perfect carbonara sauce? Be sure to take the skillet off the heat before you add the eggs and cheese. That way your eggs will cook up nice and creamy, not scrambled!

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Carbonara