28 Satisfying Spaghetti Recipes You'll Make Again and Again

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.

When we talk about quick and simple recipes, spaghetti is always at the top of the list. The Dominican version of this delicious pasta dish is made with a tomato-based sofrito sauce and Dominican salami for an inexpensive source of protein. The affordable nature of this dish makes it a popular option for large gatherings. Dominicans are even known for making large pots, called empaguetadas, to bring on group trips to the beach, el río (the river), or the lake, a tradition that makes spaghetti the ultimate dish for fun, love, and bonding. Serve with bread, plátanos fritos, and ensalada verde.

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!

Chef Jerome Grant says, "In our three-child household, pasta nights are always a hit, but nothing hits a homerun like my mom’s Filipino spaghetti. This delicious dish brings a nostalgic twist of my childhood to a classic pasta dish by introducing two classic Asian staples: banana ketchup and Chinese sausage. The sweetness of the ketchup and the candy-like sausage wheels complement the acidity of the tomatoes and the nuttiness of the cheese, creating an instant favorite for palates of all ages. I particularly enjoy cooking this dish with my 2-year-old daughter!"

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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!

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!