The Kitchn Collective Shares Their Family-Favorite Pasta Recipes

published Oct 14, 2020
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Cajun shrimp linguine in pot with tongs
Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

If I had to pick only one kind of food to eat for the rest of my life, it would almost certainly be pasta. Pasta rescues me from dinner disasters all the time. If a key ingredient goes bad unexpectedly, or I get distracted by news on the internet and burn the dinner I was trying to make, I can always pivot to pasta. Pasta always has my back.

Everyone in my family likes pasta, too, so they’re never mad to see it on our dinner table. I think I could serve it every day and not hear a complaint, as long as I mixed up the sauces every once in awhile. The truth is, you can’t have too many good pasta recipes. For speed, ease, and taste, pasta is hard to beat. This is why, in order to get some more dinner ideas, we asked the Kitchn Collective for the family-favorite pasta recipes they regularly turn to. Here’s what they have to say.

1. Cajun Shrimp Linguine

“Not only is this recipe super easy and ready to devour in about 30 minutes, the flavors and Cajun spices take what could be a typical Alfredo type sauce over the edge.” — Jocelyn Delk Adams from Grandbaby Cakes

Get the recipe: Cajun Shrimp Linguine from Grandbaby Cakes

Credit: Hip Foodie Mom

2. Japchae

“We love Korean Japchae! Not your typical pasta recipe but we love this! Japchae is made up of sweet potato noodles, which you can find at any Asian grocery store or Korean market. The noodles are stir fried with vegetables and sometimes Korean bulgogi (or you can keep this vegetarian), and tossed together with sesame oil, soy sauce, and more. It’s definitely a family favorite over here!” — Alice Choi from Hip Foodie Mom

Get the recipe: Japchae from Hip Foodie Mom

Credit: Yummy Toddler Food

3. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

“We have a bumper crop of butternuts this year (high fives for homegrown veggies that require zero maintenance or preserving!) and we all love it in homemade mac and cheese. (Though sometimes my kids complain that it’s “too cheesy” which I didn’t realize could be a bad thing, ha!)” — Amy Palanjian from Yummy Toddler Food

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese from Yummy Toddler Food

Credit: The Cookie Rookie

4. Italian Stuffed Shells

“This stuffed shells recipe is one that everyone in our family craves. It’s both kid and adult friendly, and just oozing with flavor. It’s the ultimate weeknight meal.” — Becky Hardin from The Cookie Rookie

Get the recipe: Italian Stuffed Shells from The Cookie Rookie

What are your favorite pasta recipes? Let us know in the comments!