26 Pasta Recipes That Would Make an Italian Grandmother Proud Katie Bandurski ( copurtecy;-reaser's digest )




26 Pasta Recipes That Would Make an Italian Grandmother Proud

Step back in time with these classic Italian pasta recipes.

1 / 26
My Best Spaghetti & Meatballs

My Best Spaghetti & Meatballs

One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the Old Spaghetti Factory with my family and ordering a big plate of cheesy spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread. My homemade recipe reminds me of those fun times and satisfies everyone’s craving for good Italian food. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
2 / 26
Nana's Italian Roulade

Nana’s Italian Roulade

My great aunt from Sicily taught my mother how to stuff and bake a steak in a jellyroll style. It’s unique and really special in our family. —Roseanne McDonald, Days Creek, Oregon
3 / 26
Homemade Manicotti

Homemade Manicotti

These tender manicotti are much easier to stuff than the purchased variety. People are always amazed when I say I make my own noodles. My son fixed this recipe for several of his friends, and they were extremely impressed with his cooking skills. —Sue Ann Bunt, Painted Post, New York
4 / 26
Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore recipes make a good Sunday dinner, since it’s so simple to prepare. This recipe is the best because it’s loaded with lots of vegetables and is a family favorite. —Barbara Roberts, Courtenay, British Columbia


5 / 26
Linguine with Fresh Tomatoes

Linguine with Fresh Tomatoes

This garlic and basil linguine is a perfect way to use up your late-summer tomato harvest. It makes a great light supper when paired with a salad, or you can make it heartier with some chopped chicken. —Susan Jones, Downers Grove, Illinois
6 / 26
Pesto Pasta & Potatoes

Pesto Pasta & Potatoes

Although this healthy pasta dish is pretty simple to begin with, it’s made even easier because you can throw the green beans and pasta into one big pot to cook. —Laura Flowers, Moscow, Idaho
7 / 26
Asparagus Shrimp Linguine

Asparagus Shrimp Linguine

My family really enjoys asparagus and shrimp. We often have this on busy weeknights because its healthy and cooks quickly. —Ehnes Wannetta, Eagle Bend, Minnesota
8 / 26
Ricotta Gnocchi with Spinach & Gorgonzola

Ricotta Gnocchi with Spinach & Gorgonzola

When my family comes for a visit, they always ask me to make this unique dish for dinner. Homemade cheesy gnocchi is topped with a rich sauce made with butternut squash, spinach and Gorgonzola.— Brud Holland, Watkins Glen, New York


9 / 26
Great-Grandma's Italian Meatballs

Great-Grandma’s Italian Meatballs

My great-grandmother started this easy meatball recipe with our family. We use ground beef and turkey, and the flavor’s so good, you won’t miss the extra calories. —Audrey Colantino, Winchester, Massachusetts
10 / 26
Fettuccine Carbonara

Fettuccine Carbonara

When a man at church found out how much my family likes fettuccine, he shared his Italian grandmother’s carbonara recipe with us. I’ve made it my own over the last 25 years. Grated Parmesan cheese works just as well as Romano. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York


11 / 26
Penne alla Vodka

Penne alla Vodka

This easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I have new friends over for dinner. Years later, they’ve asked me to make it again. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas
12 / 26
Homemade Ravioli

Homemade Ravioli

I love to bake and cook, especially Italian dishes. In fact, my idea of a perfect day consists of cooking my family’s favorite foods then watching them dig in!—Lori Daniels, Hartland, Michigan
13 / 26
Creamy Sausage-Mushroom Rigatoni

Creamy Sausage-Mushroom Rigatoni

In Rome, we dined near the Pantheon. The amazing restaurant is now history, but its memory lives on in this tasty pasta with mushrooms and sausage. —Barbara Roozrokh, Brookfield, Wisconsin
14 / 26
Homemade Meatless Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade Meatless Spaghetti Sauce

When my tomatoes ripen, the first things I make are BLTs and this homemade spaghetti sauce. —Sondra Bergy, Lowell, Michigan


15 / 26
Italian Stuffed Shells

Italian Stuffed Shells

A dear friend first brought over this stuffed shells recipe. Now I take it to other friends’ homes and to potlucks, because it’s always a big hit! —Beverly Austin, Fulton, Missouri
16 / 26
Asparagus 'n' Shrimp with Angel Hair

Asparagus ‘n’ Shrimp with Angel Hair

We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this is one dish I like to serve. It’s easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
17 / 26
Lemon Chicken with Orzo

Lemon Chicken with Orzo

Here’s a dish that’s light and summery but still filling. My kids love all the veggies…for real! If you like a lot of lemon, stir in an extra splash of lemon juice just before serving. —Shannon Humphrey, Hampton, Virginia
18 / 26
No-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce

No-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce

Try this sauce at times when you have a box of pasta or a store-bought pizza shell and need a sure-fire topping. Dinner is served. —Julianne Schnuck, Taste of Home Designer


19 / 26
Florentine Meatballs

Florentine Meatballs

Because these meatballs freeze and reheat well, we use them as a quick addition to spaghetti, on subs or as an appetizer. —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario
20 / 26
Homemade Pasta

Homemade Pasta

Try your hand at homemade pasta with this easy-to-work-with spinach dough. You don’t need a pasta maker or other special equipment! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
21 / 26
Sweet Pepper Pesto Pasta

Sweet Pepper Pesto Pasta

What’s a family gathering or potluck without at least one pasta salad? This one’s great freshly made or for several days after. We like it warm or cold. —Karen Hentges, Bakersfield, California
22 / 26
Pasta Fagioli al Forno

Pasta Fagioli al Forno

The name of this Italian-inspired dish means “baked pasta with beans.” But my busy family translates it as “super satisfying dinner.” —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois


23 / 26
Slow-Simmered Meat Ragu

Slow-Simmered Meat Ragu

After a day of simmering in the slow-cooker, this ragu is not your typical spaghetti sauce. It’s almost like a stew, so feel free to skip the pasta. —Laurie LaClair, North Richland Hills, Texas
24 / 26
Shrimp Puttanesca

Shrimp Puttanesca

I throw together these bold ingredients for a feisty seafood pasta. —Lynda Balslev, Sausalito, California
25 / 26
Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

When my mom made spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so good that I’d open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors have really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
26 / 26
Traditional Lasagna

Traditional Lasagna

My family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend’s home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. It’s requested often by my sister’s Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois

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