21 Best Creamy Pasta Recipes That Are Instant Comfort Food
It's the winning combo, if you ask us.
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If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? For Ree Drummond, that's an easy one. "If I were stranded on a desert island and could choose only one category of food to eat the rest of my life, I'd pick pasta hands down," she says. Amen to that! The best pasta recipes transport you to carb heaven and often take little to no effort in the kitchen. Of course, a classic olive oil-based pasta is delightful, but if you want something a little more hearty and cozy, you can't beat creamy pasta recipes.
Ahead, you'll find creamy sauce pasta dishes that pair perfectly with vegetables, seafood, or meat, making them the ultimate indulgence. Of course, there are so many pasta shapes and creamy sauces to choose from! These creamy pasta recipes, from one-pot primavera to baked pasta recipes like cheesy bowtie pasta and ravioli, are great for all cooking skill levels. Creamy pasta salad recipes like Ree's "best macaroni salad ever" are perfect for picnics or cookouts. For feeding a group of hungry teens, you might opt for creamy chicken pasta or Cajun-inspired creamy shrimp pasta. Bookmark these recipes for when you're craving a rich, comforting meal. Whatever you choose to serve, you'll find that each of these dishes is pasta-tively amazing. 😂
Creamy Pasta Primavera
This dish is pure comfort food: Ree's own mom used to make it all the time! Asparagus gives the creamy primavera sauce a hint of healthy sweetness.
Get Ree's Creamy Pasta Primavera recipe.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Oh, fettuccine alfredo. It only calls for four simple ingredients: parmesan, butter, heavy cream, and pasta. Who knew something so delicious could be so simple?
Get Ree's Fettuccine Alfredo recipe.
The Best Macaroni Salad Ever
Ree's not usually one to boast, but her macaroni salad is truly the best-ever. And if you ask how she likes it, she'll say, "with a confetti of wonderfulness coloring the whole mix with flavor, spice, and texture."
Get Ree's Best Macaroni Salad Ever recipe.
Pasta Primavera with Peas and Mint
Who doesn't love a one-pot dinner? Peas and mint give each bite of this dish a fresh spring flavor, and feel free to add more veggies, if preferred!
Get Ree's Pasta Primavera with Peas and Mint recipe.
Garden Pasta Salad
Ree puts a zesty twist on the cookout staple using crunchy radishes, jicama, and colorful bell peppers!
Get Ree's Garden Pasta Salad recipe.
Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
Adding cream brings Ree's already-fantastic tomato sauce to the next level! This is her favorite pasta sauce in the entire world.
Get Ree's Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce recipe.
Pasta with Ham, Leeks, and Spinach
If you're unfamiliar with leeks, they add a great onion flavor to this pasta. The veggies and ham balance to make this creamy pasta an instant comfort classic.
Get Ree's Pasta with Ham, Leeks, and Spinach recipe.
Pasta with Zucchini Pesto
It's true, you can make pesto out of zucchini. (You can make it out of a lot of things actually!) Best of all, this pasta is summery and not too heavy.
Get Ree's Pasta with Zucchini Pesto recipe.
Ravioli Primavera
This dish is perfect if you have leftover ham. Still, it's so good that vegetarians also need to try—just leave out the ham and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth!
Get Ree's Ravioli Primavera recipe.
Rigatoni with Pesto Cream Sauce
We love a pasta that goes both ways—delicious hot or cold! Crumbled feta pairs perfectly with fresh cherry tomatoes.
Get Ree's Rigatoni with Pesto Cream Sauce recipe.
Foil-Packet Shrimp Pasta
Ree's favorite part of this pasta is unwrapping the foil at the table! Also, seeing everyone's looks of glee at the creamy, tomatoey shrimp pasta.
Get Ree's Foil-Packet Shrimp Pasta recipe.
Baked Spinach Ravioli with Pesto Cream Sauce
Ravioli are like little dumplings of cheesy goodness. But bake them sprinkled with cheese until they're golden brown, and you have something out of this world.
Get Ree's Baked Spinach Ravioli recipe.
Cajun Pasta With Veggies
Here's a delightful veggie-based recipe the whole family will love. It has all of the kick of Cajun seasoning but go lighter on the spice mix if you can't handle the heat.
Get Ree's Cajun Pasta With Veggies recipe.
Pasta alla Vodka
Tomato cream-based dishes just do something different to the taste buds. It's sweet and tart. Tangy and smooth. Mild, and each bite has a really clean finish, a perfect ending.
Get Ree's Pasta alla Vodka recipe.
Bowtie Pasta
This pasta recipe is as simple as its name yet full of tremendous flavor. Savory Italian sausage crumbles together with sweet sun-dried tomatoes; a classic Italian pairing.
Get the Bowtie Pasta recipe.
BLT Pasta Salad
Think of all the tastiness of a BLT, but in pasta salad form. The mayo-based topping is made with one of our favorite kitchen hacks—ranch seasoning mix! It's creamy and packed with fresh herb flavor.
Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.
Rigatoni with Creamy Corn
Try this one in the summertime when fresh corn is in season! It adds a freshness to the heavy cream sauce and the mezzi rigatoni.
Get Ree's Rigatoni with Creamy Corn recipe.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Slightly sweet veggies and savory chicken combine with a kick of spice from Cajun seasoning. If you don't have a seasoning mix at home, it's easy to throw together in a cinch!
Get Ree's Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe.
Pasta with Whiskey, Wine, and Mushrooms
Okay, the key three ingredients of this pasta sauce should be enough to draw anyone in. It's a decadent, rich pasta dish with a boozy cream sauce that pairs perfectly with the umami flavoring of mushrooms.
Baked Gnocchi Alfredo
Sorry mac and cheese, but there's a new favorite comfort dish in town. This cheesy gnocchi casserole is full of melty fontina cheese that warms the soul.
Get the Baked Gnocchi Alfredo recipe.
Hamburger Casserole
Pizza Spaghetti Pie
One-Pot Pastas Save You from a Sink Full of Dishes
Chicken Scallopine
