15 Fall Pasta Recipes That Are Perfect for Dinner

Packed with autumnal flavors and delicious seasonal ingredients, you'll love each one of them.

spaghetti with Brussels sprouts
Credit:

Yunhee Kim

Both versatile and crowd-pleasing, pasta is one of those pantry staples that are quick and luxurious—that's why it's such a perfect candidate for weeknight dinners, entertaining, or just about any meal. As the weather cools and fall kicks into high gear, you can keep the pasta dishes coming by giving them an autumnal spin with peak vegetables and squash and exploring the heartier side of this favorite dish type. Let our fall pasta recipes guide you into the season.

01 of 15

Orecchiette With Butternut Squash and Sage

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Butternut squash adds a fall touch to this seasonal take on pasta, while the sage will infuse it with a savory flair that'll be hard to beat.

02 of 15

Butternut-and-Boursin Shells

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Credit: Yunhee Kim

Fans of mac and cheese won't be disappointed by this decadent version. It's easier than making cheese sauce, and it's packed with vegetables so you can feel good about scooping up seconds. The sauce's bright orange color comes from sweet, nutty butternut squash purée and the luxuriously rich cheesiness is added with creamy garlicky Boursin cheese and pasta cooking water.

03 of 15

One-Pan Pasta

one-pan pasta
Credit: Maxwell Cozzi

Minimal prep with maximum flavor? Yes, please. This fan-favorite linguine dish is one of our most popular recipes and is sure to become your weeknight dinner go-to. Cherry and grape tomatoes are available in clamshells year-round, lending the dish a hint of tomato acidity without a long simmer on the stove.

04 of 15

Caramelized Fennel, Celery, and Sardine Pasta

Caramelized Fennel, Celery, and Sardine Pasta
Credit:

Brie Goldman

Packed with flavor and nutrients, it’s a light yet satisfying dish that can be made all year round, but especially on a chilly fall night

05 of 15

Cacio e Pepe With Lemon

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Simple and irresistible, this classic pasta is made with elemental ingredients like cheese and freshly cracked pepper. It's dinner party-worthy and also one of the easiest pasta dishes to put together on a busy fall night. Simply put, this impressive dish never disappoints. Keep the ingredients on hand and dinner is just minutes away.

06 of 15

Rigatoni With Sausage and Fennel

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This simple sausage and fennel pasta brings plenty of rich fall flavor to the table. Give the dish a restaurant-style finish by drizzling it with olive oil and garnishing it with fennel fronds, lemon wedges, and arugula. And don't skip the extra Parmesan!

07 of 15

Spaghetti With Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

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Credit: Yunhee Kim

Add pasta to the winning pairing of Brussels and bacon and you have a full meal. This 30-minute entrée pairs crispy bacon and lightly caramelized Brussels sprouts with everyone's favorite long noodle in an easy, cheesy sauce.

08 of 15

Spaghetti With Shrimp and Olives

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Shrimp might seem light and summery—especially when paired with cherry tomatoes—but by adding rosemary, capers, and olives to the mix, the result is one hearty and totally delicious dish autumnal meal. Bonus points: This entrée will be on the table in just 20 minutes.

09 of 15

Skillet Shrimp and Orzo

shrimp orzo
Credit: Hector Sanchez

This paella-inspired, one-pan recipe is fancy enough for company but also easy enough for a quick dinner. Al dente pieces of orzo take the place of the usual rice in this dish; they soak up the tomato-based sauce and plenty of shrimp flavor.

10 of 15

Creamy Baked Ziti

creamy baked ziti
Credit: Bryan Gardner

Feed a crowd with this creamy baked ziti, which is perfect for when the weather starts to cool and you want to get back to cooking in the oven. For a spin, instead of ricotta, this version uses a favorite ingredient: cream cheese. It's a total win.

11 of 15

Test Kitchen's Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs

meatball makeover spaghetti
Credit: Alpha Smoot

What's the secret to really delicious meatballs? The answer isn't breadcrumbs! Our test kitchen's favorite recipe swaps out some of the ground beef for chopped mushrooms, which adds a rich umami flavor that's just right for fall. In addition to being totally delicious, these meatballs also reduce meat consumption and increase vegetable intake.

12 of 15

Ravioli With Roasted Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Capers

Ravioli with Roasted Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Capers
Credit: Kate Sears

This easy weeknight riff on pasta alla Norma upgrades store-bought cheese ravioli by tossing it with a hearty mix of roasted eggplant, cherry tomatoes, shallots, and capers. Making the sauce in the oven frees you from attending to it on the stovetop and the ravioli cooks up in minutes.

13 of 15

One-Pan Orecchiette With Chickpeas and Olives

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Credit: Alpha Smoot

Another one-pan wonder, orecchiette's indented shape creates the perfect cradle for a creamy pan sauce with bites of chickpeas and Kalamata olives. Woody rosemary lends a hearty fall flavor and a fresh baby arugula adds a peppery green finish.

14 of 15

Penne With Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

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Not your typical fall pasta recipe, but certainly an autumnal treat for the whole family. Canned pumpkin puree isn't only good for pie—here, it becomes a creamy sauce for penne, topped with deliciously crunchy fried rosemary.

15 of 15

Macaroni and Cheese

Perfect Macaroni & Cheese
Credit:

Bryan Gardner

Martha's macaroni and cheese is a favorite comfort food—and always a crowd pleaser. Whether you serve it for family dinner or a Thanksgiving side, you know the casserole dish will be empty and everyone will be full and happy.

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