Strega Nona Is Trending—It's the Perfect Excuse to Make These 15 Pasta Recipes
You know what's better than a Brat Summer? A Strega Nona Fall, that's what. If those phrases sound like Ancient Greek—and it essentially is, since both terms are spawned from TikTok—I am more than happy to translate it for you. While summer found us partying 365 and in and out of the clubs, fall is about something much more simple: Overflowing pots of pasta à la the original domestic goddess, the popular children's book character Strega Nona.
Personally, I've really never not be in my Strega Nona era. I've self-identified as a pasta-making witch for many, many years, especially if those pots are overflowing with pasta alla gricia. So if you're way more at home huddled in a shawl, blowing kisses to your pasta pot, and having your town (okay, your bowl) be overrun with pasta, I've got the perfect, Strega Nona-approved pasta recipes for you. The best part? So many of these can be made in just one magical-or-not pot (like our one-pot French onion pasta and one-pot broccoli cheese pasta). Trust me, you'll be hoping Big Anthony thwarts your magic spell so you have plenty of pizza spaghetti and dirty martini pasta on your hands. Olive Garden's never-ending pasta bowl could never!
Pizza Spaghetti
Pizza and spaghetti are two weeknight dinner favorites for very good reason. When you just can't decide between the two, turn to this incredible mashup. Think of cheesy spaghetti in casserole form with all the best pizza toppings, and you've got this kid-friendly dinner.
Get the Pizza Spaghetti recipe.
Cacio E Pepe
Cacio e pepe literally translates to “cheese and pepper." These two ingredients are usually thought of as small components to a dish but in this pasta recipe, they take center stage. The fruity bite of freshly ground pepper combined with salty cheese is complex, earthy, sweet and spicy all at once.
Get the Cacio E Pepe recipe.
Spaghetti All'Assassina
This is like the OG one-pot pasta. The spaghetti is cooked in a spicy tomato broth in a style similar to risotto and charred in the pan as the broth gets absorbed. And when we say charred, we mean burnt. Trust us, the rich tomato, burned starch, and spicy mess of it all is absolutely delicious.
Get the Spaghetti All'Assassina recipe.
Dirty Martini Pasta
This recipe takes inspiration from a classic pasta al limone by using heavy cream as the base for the luscious and decadent sauce. And, just like a dirty martini, we supplement the dish with olives and brine (and booze, of course). The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes.
Get the Dirty Martini Pasta recipe.
One-Pot Shrimp Primavera
We use some of our favorite classic veggies for this pasta primavera, but use what you have! Throw in some broccoli or squash or some greens like kale and spinach—nothing is a bad idea here.
Get the One-Pot Shrimp Primavera recipe.
One-Pot Creamy Tortellini & Greens
Here, cheese-filled tortellini are delicately simmered in a velvety cream sauce with vibrant, fresh greens (we went with kale and spinach, but feel free to use up whatever you’ve got in the fridge). With this one-pot wonder and just a handful of ingredients, you can have it all—in just 20 minutes.
Get the One-Pot Creamy Tortellini & Greens recipe.
Tagliatelle With Bacon & Mushrooms
Sure, everyone loves pasta. But pasta + bacon + mushrooms? That's just out of control. Creamy and comforting, we’re (over)confident this tagliatelle will become your fast friend.
Get the Tagliatelle With Bacon & Mushrooms recipe.
Creamy Tomato Pasta With Burrata
A classic tomato sauce is made even better with a bit of cream and a delicious topping of burrata. The cherry tomatoes add a bit of sweetness to the sauce and make it feel fresher. It tastes too good to be as easy as it is!
Get the Creamy Tomato Pasta With Burrata recipe.
Pasta Alla Gricia
This is easy to make and even easier to indulge in. The real Italian way uses guanciale—cured pork jowl—which has a slightly sweet, delicate flavor. If you can't find it, use pancetta or thick-cut bacon instead!
Get the Pasta Alla Gricia recipe.
One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Pasta
This creamy pasta is kind of the grown-up version of mac & cheese, but even easier and better. Broccoli is a star here, coated in cheese with a kick of heat from red pepper flakes.
Get the One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Pasta recipe.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Though many people travel to Rome to experience the Colosseum, for us, there’s only one reason to make the trip: carbonara! The classic Roman dish composed of silky eggs, Sardinian sheep's milk cheese, and al dente spaghetti is comfort food + good for the soul + Italian bliss all wrapped around your fork tines.
Get the Spaghetti Carbonara recipe.
Homemade Pasta
Pasta night deserves a special pasta. Making your own dough does take a bit of time, but the process itself isn't complicated. The dough is made from 3 basic ingredients and comes together in minutes—use your pasta maker for best results.
Get the Homemade Pasta recipe.
Pasta Puttanesca
Bursting with flavor and so easy to prepare, you'll be craving this pasta every week. The super-fragrant sauce is made with a lot of garlic and anchovies that will have you coming back for more, and the capers and olives add a briny saltiness to the dish. Yum!
Get the Pasta Puttanesca recipe.
One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac
One of our favorite comfort food recipes, this weeknight dinner combines two classics: mac & cheese and hearty vegetarian chili. This smoky, flavor-packed meal all comes together in one pot, and it's SUPER versatile. Throw in your favorite bean and pasta shape, melt in your favorite cheese, and top with whatever you like—as long as it's crunchy 😉.
Get the One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac recipe.
One-Pot French Onion Pasta
We’re big fans of one-pot pastas and French onion soup-flavored everything, so it was just a matter of time until we combined those two awesome things into one delicious, caramelized onions-filled dish.
Get the One-Pot French Onion Pasta recipe.
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