13 pasta dishes worth becoming the family outcast for

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If pasta is a family favorite but you’re craving something new, these 13 dishes are here to bring fresh ideas to your weekly rotation. Each recipe combines comfort with innovation, offering meals that go beyond basic pasta and create something memorable. Perfect for fall, these dishes bring warmth and depth to the dinner table, making them a welcome change that everyone will enjoy.

Broccoli Rabe and Sausage in a serving bowl with tomatoes in the background.
Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Two Chicken Gnocchi Soup copycat soup recipes on a table.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

You won’t miss out on warmth and comfort once you try Chicken Gnocchi Soup. It’s like a hug in a bowl, especially during those cooler evenings when all you crave is something soothing. Each spoonful is a blend of rich flavors and tender textures that’ll make you consider hiding the recipe from even your closest kin. It’s a dish that brings comfort and contention in equal measure; a treasure you might just want to keep to yourself.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Spaghetti with meat and cheese in a baking dish
Million Dollar Spaghetti. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Imagine a dish that could cause rifts at the dinner table because everyone’s vying for the last scoop; Million Dollar Spaghetti is that dish. It’s the one meal that could make you the black sheep of the family, solely because you didn’t make enough. Amidst layers of pasta and cheese, this dish promises a decadent dining experience. Remember, you’ve been warned; it might just lead to friendly family feuds over who gets seconds.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Pasta e Fagioli Soup in 2 bowls with spoons.
Pasta e Fagioli Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

On a brisk fall day, nothing warms you up quite like Pasta e Fagioli Soup. This recipe isn’t just soup; it’s a longstanding tradition in a bowl, known to mend any cold with its hearty embrace. Each bite is a step closer to feeling utterly content and entirely at peace. It’s a delicious reason to stay in and gather around the table, even if it means dealing with a little envy from those who missed out.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese

Two black cast iron pans filled with mac and cheese sit on cork trivets on a white wooden surface.
Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese is not just a dish; it’s a memory, a comforting nostalgia turned into a culinary experience. This recipe might bring about whispers of dissent for not sharing your secret to its creamy perfection. It’s that unbeatable combination of simplicity and richness that could easily make you the talk of the town. Serve this, and you’ll have everyone asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese

Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce

Gnocchi in Lemon-Parmesan Sauce on a black plate.
Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s something about Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce that sets it apart from your regular pasta dish. Its light, yet flavorful profile makes it an instant favorite, even potentially causing a stir for not making it more often. With every forkful, you’re bound to fall deeper in love with its subtle charms. It’s a dish worth fighting for, even if it means guarding the recipe with your life.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Chicken cordon bleu casserole on a black plate with a fork.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When you bring Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole to the table, expect nothing less than a standing ovation. This is the kind of meal that could easily make you the star of the family, and perhaps, the occasional outcast for not sharing it more. It’s packed with flavors that resonate with cozy nights, making every bite a reason to celebrate. Just be prepared for the inevitable question: “When will you make this again?”
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Italian Pot Roast Pasta

A hand lifting a fork with a bite of Italian Pot Roast Pasta on a bowl.
Italian Pot Roast Pasta. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

With Italian Pot Roast Pasta, you’re serving more than just a meal; you’re creating an experience. This dish has the power to transport you to Italy with its robust and hearty flavors, perfect for those chilly evenings at home. It’s so good, relatives might just start coming over unannounced in hopes of catching dinner. Beware, though, as this recipe may just be too good to share, leading to some tough dinner decisions.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pot Roast Pasta

Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Two bowls of Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

There’s a secret to making everyone smile at dinner, and it’s called Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. Don’t be surprised if this becomes the most requested meal, causing slight uproars when it’s not on the menu. Each serving is filled with comfort and a taste that’s hard to forget. It’s your ticket to becoming the family’s favorite chef, though you might have to guard the recipe closely.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

A black bowl filled with rotisserie chicken pasta salad.
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

For those days when you want something both refreshing and fulfilling, Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad never disappoints. It’s the perfect blend of lightness and flavor, making it a hit for any family gathering. Be warned, this dish might just make you too popular, and everyone will be asking for the recipe. It’s the ultimate dish that proves simplicity and freshness can indeed lead to culinary envy.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Sloppy Joe Casserole

A serving of Sloppy Joe Casserole pasta with meat on a plate with a fork.
Sloppy Joe Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Sloppy Joe Casserole turns a classic favorite into something extraordinary, causing everyone to lean in a little closer come mealtime. This one-dish wonder is a game changer, blending nostalgia with a unique twist that could spark both joy and a hint of jealousy in the family. It’s the kind of meal that keeps everyone guessing and asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

A hand holding a spoonful of creamy chicken noodle soup with vegetables over a bowl, accompanied by slices of bread on a plate.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup to ease you into the fall season. This dish stands as a testament to the power of simple ingredients coming together to create something unforgettably comforting. Expect it to become a household favorite, sparking a bit of rivalry amongst the family for the last bowl. It’s a piece of home in every spoonful, one that may just be too precious to share too widely.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

A white bowl of rigatoni pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with cheese and green herbs, is placed on a wooden surface. A hand is holding a fork with a piece of pasta.
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Bring a piece of fine dining into the comfort of your home with Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. It’s the kind of dish that leaves everyone at the dinner table silent, save for the sounds of contentment. This recipe might just have you contemplating a career change to a chef, assuming you can handle the pressure of such delicious expectations. Be ready; it might just spark a quest among friends and family to cook up their own.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

Broccoli Rabe and Sausage in a serving bowl with tomatoes in the background.
Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Inviting and hearty, Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta stands as the epitome of what homely cooking should be. This dish has a way of turning dinner into a much-anticipated event, elevating everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. Fair warning, it might be too good to share, leading to some playful banter at the table. It’s a straightforward path to making mealtime the highlight of the day.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pasta

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