What Pasta Dish Should I Make?

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024

There are few things better in the world than a great-smelling pasta dish. Okay, maybe the only thing better than the smell of that pasta dish is the taste of said dish. The best pasta recipes bring your whole family together for a meal. Pasta dishes are great ways to load up on carbs and enjoy a delicious dinner.

You can put so many different proteins with pasta to create incredibly complex and savory meals. Of course, you can’t forget the parmesan cheese when you’re making pasta. For people who may not be able to eat gluten, there are also gluten-free pastas that allow them to continue to indulge in their favorite pasta recipes.

Each pasta recipe is different but still delicious in its own way. Some feature fresh tomatoes and others use jarred tomato sauce. Others omit the tomatoes entirely and add creamy sauce. But which pasta dish should you make tonight? Take this quiz to find out.

Pasta dish

Pasta recipes are typically Italian dishes that feature ingredients like olive oil, fresh tomato sauce, meat sauce, fresh basil, lemon juice, sweet cherry tomatoes, and more. You can make all kinds of pasta dishes, such as a chicken pasta recipe, mac and cheese, lasagna, and more.

There are easy pasta recipes and ones that take all day to make. Both can come out tasting really good. A classic Italian recipe is one that takes a long time to cook, but there are shortcuts as well.

If you're trying to figure out what to make for dinner tonight, you can't go wrong with a pasta dish. Most people can cook pasta. If you want an easy dish, you can choose a basic tomato sauce and just add a little starchy pasta water to it. Don't forget to add cheese, though.

What Pasta Dish Should I Make?

If you’ve found yourself stuck in the endless loop of spaghetti and meatballs, or tossing some pesto into fusilli for the fourth time this week, fear not! We're here to break you out of your pasta monotony. The world of noodles, sauces, and toppings is vast and varied, from the creamy seductions of Alfredo to the hearty embrace of Bolognese; there truly is a pasta for every mood and occasion.

Let's face it, we all love a good carb-loaded meal, but sometimes choosing between the plethora of pasta possibilities can feel as daunting as picking a Netflix show on a Friday night. Whether you’re fueling up for an epic night with pals or seeking solace in a comfort food cuddle, there’s a perfect pasta dish calling your name. Are you leaning towards the simplicity of a garlicky aglio e olio or the subtle kick of a arrabbiata to spice up your life?

We know the feeling, so let's twirl our forks into this tasty conundrum together. It's time to ditch the decision fatigue and embrace the joy of variety in our pasta-laden plates. Prepare to step outside your comfort zone and give those neglected noodles a chance to shine. Who knows? You might just discover your new go-to guilty pleasure or impress your guests with your newfound pasta prowess. And hey, if you really want a sign from the universe on what pasta dish to whip up next, maybe noodling around with a fun quiz will get the sauce simmering.

Choosing Your Pasta Adventure

Welcome to the saucy soiree of noodles and shapes! Here, we're diving into the delicious world of pasta and figuring out which twirly, slurpy, or layered delight you should whip up tonight.

Decoding Pasta Shapes and Sizes

When it comes to picking your pasta protagonist, think of it as casting for the lead role in your dinner-theater masterpiece. If you're aiming for a classic, spaghetti deserves a standing ovation, especially when it's starring in the renowned Spaghetti Carbonara, where each strand is coated in a creamy, eggy, pancetta-laden sauce.

Long Noodles: Ideal for twirling and swirling in rich sauces.
- Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine
Short Noodles: Perfect for capturing chunky bits of meat and veg.
- Penne, Fusilli, Farfalle

For a dish that's all about the layering, lasagna is your go-to. Those wide, flat sheets are like cozy blankets that tuck in all that savory Bolognese and melty cheese.

Pro tip: Choose a shape that complements your sauce! A caped crusader in the pasta universe—a.k.a. your fork—will thank you.

The Perfect Match: Sauce-Pasta Pairings

Creating the ultimate pasta pair is a bit like online dating for food; it's all about compatibility. You wouldn't pair a featherweight sauce with a burly noodle, right?

Tomato-Based Sauces: They love to mingle with everyone, but are especially swoon-worthy with slender noodles like spaghetti or robust shapes like rigatoni.
- Bolognese & Spaghetti or Rigatoni
Creamy Sauces: They're the Casanovas of sauce, needing a noodle that can handle all that love.
- Alfredo & Fettuccine
Pesto & Olive Oil-Based Sauces: These free-spirited sauces need a pasta that lets them shine, not overshadow.
- Pesto Pasta & Rotini or Trofie

Remember, whether it's dressing up fettuccine for a night out in Alfredo sauce or letting pesto pasta show off its herbaceous flair, it's your adventure—own it! And if you ever feel lost in the sauce, just think about how the dish would best be enjoyed. Would you slurp, scoop, or fork-and-knife it? Therein lies your answer.

Feeling saucy enough to tackle the pasta challenge? Head over to BrainFall.com to continue this culinary escapade!

Mastering Pasta Classics

When it comes to pasta, it's not just a dish; it's an art form. Whether we're channeling our inner Italian nonna or giving a good old mac and cheese a zesty makeover, mastering the classics is our ticket to the ultimate pasta night.

The Quintessential Italian Pasta Dishes

We all dream of twirling that perfectly cooked spaghetti, right? Well, to kick things off, Spaghetti Pomodoro is as classic as it gets. An authentic Italian dish with a sauce that simmers to perfection while you binge-watch Italian dramas. Recipe to try: simmer juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic for that can't-stop-eating-it sauce.

And let's not forget about Cacio e Pepe. It's simplicity at its finest and basically the godfather of cheesy pasta dishes. Recipe secret? High-quality pecorino cheese and lots of black pepper create that creamy, dreamy texture without any cream. Yup, that's right, no cream at all!

Global Twists on Traditional Pasta

Now, let's take our pasta around the world! For a twist on the traditional, how about taking your taste buds to Mexico with a Spicy Taco Pasta using that trusty slow cooker? Just imagine: pasta swimming in a zesty sauce, seasoned beef, and loads of cheese.

Or crank up that Instant Pot and fuse Italian with Indian in a Curry Mac and Cheese. We're talking bold spices that'll tango with the cheesiness of a classic macaroni and cheese. Bellissimo meets Balle Balle on a plate!

Creating Magic with Leftovers

The true magic happens when we transform last night's feast into today's drool-worthy lunch. Got some leftover spaghetti? Don't you dare think about dumping it. Whip up a Pasta Frittata! It's the chameleon of the pasta recipe world, ready to use up whatever veggies and cheese you've got lurking in the fridge.

And those tiny pasta bits scattered in the box? They're perfect for a Pasta Pie. Mix them up with some eggs, those leftovers from Sunday's roast, and a handful of cheese. This wild card dish will have everyone at the table begging for seconds—maybe even thirds!

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