These copycat restaurant recipes will take your pasta from boring to "bellisimo!"
15 of Our All-Time Favorite Pasta Copycat Recipes
Inspired by: Penne Rosa at Noodles & Company
I reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California
1/15
2/15
Homemade Ravioli
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to bake and cook—especially Italian dishes like this homemade ravioli recipe. 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
Nutrition Facts:
10 ravioli: 856 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 279mg cholesterol, 1139mg sodium, 110g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 7g fiber), 42g protein.
3/15
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This kicked-up pasta dish is a family favorite and my most-requested recipe. It's easy to adapt too. Substitute shrimp for the chicken, add your favorite veggies and adjust the spice level to your family's taste—you can't go wrong! —Dolly Kragel, Sloan, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 398 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
4/15
Inspired By: Pasta Da Vinci at The Cheesecake Factory
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I fell in love with this dish at the restaurant and experimented until I could duplicate it at home. What’s so nice is that the sauce can be made ahead and be refrigerated or frozen. Now you can have a delicious copycat Cheesecake Factory pasta da Vinci on a weeknight. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 634 calories, 31g fat (16g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 706mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.
5/15
Best Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 519 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 1013mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 35g protein.
6/15
Baked Ziti
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6-8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I enjoy making this baked ziti recipe for family and friends. It's easy to prepare, and I like to get creative with the sauce. Sometimes, I might add my home-canned tomatoes, mushrooms or vegetables. —Elaine Anderson, New Galilee, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 630 calories, 30g fat (15g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 878mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 45g protein.
7/15
Morel Mushroom Ravioli
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My friend and I enjoy mushroom hunting. The exercise and fresh air, along with the beauty of the outdoors is invigorating. I came up with this recipe to use up the bounty of our harvest. The dish is easy, yet elegant. It's absolutely delicious. —Kelly Knoblock, Emmett, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
6 ravioli with 1/2 cup sauce: 639 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 1409mg sodium, 78g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 6g fiber), 21g protein.
8/15
Chicken Marsala
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my favorite dishes to order in restaurants, so I created a version that I could make in a flash on a weeknight at home. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 493 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 279mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 7g fiber), 40g protein.
9/15
Inspired by: Spinach and Cheese Ravioli at The Old Spaghetti Factory
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This entree is unbelievably simple to prepare yet tastes delicious. The fact that you use frozen ravioli—straight from the bag without boiling or thawing—saves so much time.—Susan Kehl, Pembroke Pines, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 470 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 1441mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein.
10/15
Meat Sauce for Spaghetti
Total Time
8 hours 30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a thick, hearty meat sauce for spaghetti for a filling feast. When I'm in a hurry, I make this slow-cooker recipe in an electric frying pan instead. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 286 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 767mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
11/15
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 163 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 284mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
12/15
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 650 calories, 35g fat (22g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 607mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
13/15
Carbonara
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian recipe. The key is to use the hot pasta water to make the dish creamy. If made properly, there is no need to add cream or milk. The dish is luxurious, satisfying, comforting, and easy to make. If you like, you can add peas after you have cooked the pancetta and garlic. Use any pasta you like, but the consistency is usually best with a thicker spaghetti. —Luisa Webb, Fort Collins, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup : 337 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 539mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
14/15
Best Spaghetti and Meatballs
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One evening we had unexpected company. Since I had some of these meatballs left over in the freezer, I warmed them up as appetizers. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for entertaining. —Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup sauce with 4 meatballs and 1-1/4 cups spaghetti: 519 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 1043mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein.
15/15
Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 541 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1335mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 34g protein.
