Pizza, who? These pasta dishes are here to remind everyone that carbs might be at their best when they come in a saucy, twirl-worthy form. Perfect for those nights when you need something hearty and crave-worthy, these 15 options are anything but your basic pasta. Move over, crust—this lineup proves that pasta is ready to take the main stage without a slice of doubt.
Steak & Pasta Salad
Pasta salad doesn’t need to be ordinary when you can have a rich, hearty twist that includes a little steak magic. Steak & Pasta Salad has this balanced combination of flavors that makes each bite memorable. The best part? It might just make pizza nights feel a bit second-rate for a while. Enjoying pasta with a touch of steak is a way to shake up the regular salad game.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad
Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce
Creamy, soft gnocchi paired with a lemony sauce is the kind of combination you didn’t know you needed. Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce feels fresh yet indulgent, with each bite delivering a blend that’s both cozy and zippy. Who knew gnocchi could steal the spotlight from pizza? This pasta dish is an ideal pick when you’re ready to switch things up with a simple, yet crowd-pleasing recipe.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi with Lemon-Parmesan Sauce
Salmon Pasta Salad
This isn’t just any pasta salad—it’s one with a savory twist that’ll have people talking. With Salmon Pasta Salad, you get a light yet filling choice that’s perfect for any occasion, be it lunch, dinner, or even a picnic. Salmon adds that “something special” factor that’s hard to ignore. It’s the type of pasta creation that has even the pizza loyalists reaching for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad
Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup
A comforting, classic soup with pasta that brings all the Sicilian warmth you’d expect. Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup feels like a big hug in a bowl and has a certain depth that’s more rewarding than a simple slice of pizza. There’s something about the combination of flavors that brings an old-world charm to the table. This soup is rich, filling, and just the kind of thing to make everyone forget about pizza cravings.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup
Pesto Orzo Salad
Pesto fans, rejoice! Pesto Orzo Salad is a refreshing yet hearty dish that’s packed with vibrant flavors without feeling too heavy. Orzo has this unique texture that makes every forkful a little adventure on its own. It’s the kind of pasta creation that doesn’t need a pizza on the side to feel like a full, exciting meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad
Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Warm and rewarding, this tortellini soup brings everything you’d want on a chilly night. Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken has a richness that makes it feel like a true treat without the guilt of overindulging. Each spoonful is packed with goodness and flavor. Suddenly, pizza night seems like a distant memory once you’ve tasted a bowl of this comforting soup.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
Need a quick but classy pasta option? Easy Salmon Pasta Salad has you covered with a simple yet elegant mix that makes for a truly enjoyable meal. It’s light, flavorful, and perfect for those times when pizza seems a bit too heavy. This is a dish that doesn’t just serve a meal but makes a statement.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo
For those who crave a little seafood magic with their pasta, this alfredo has it all. Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo is creamy, savory, and brings a restaurant vibe straight to your kitchen. It’s the type of pasta creation that really gives pizza a run for its money. You won’t believe how quickly this dish will have everyone digging in.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo
Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Light yet filling, this salad takes pasta to a whole new Mediterranean level. Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes has a subtle smoky twist that adds just the right amount of flair. It’s perfect for those days when pizza feels a little too predictable. Who knew pasta could feel this fresh and exciting?
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins
This classic comfort dish has pasta in the form of hearty dumplings, creating a meal that’s both nostalgic and satisfying. Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins makes a strong case for pasta taking center stage, even over pizza. Each bite has a stick-to-your-ribs goodness that’s hard to beat. This dish brings warmth and satisfaction to any meal without any fuss.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins
Sloppy Joe Casserole
For a pasta dish that brings a bit of messy fun, this casserole does it right. Sloppy Joe Casserole combines the beloved Sloppy Joe flavors with pasta in a way that’s comforting and kid-friendly. It’s got all the goodness of a classic casserole, perfect for feeding a crowd. Just one serving and you’ll see why it makes people forget about pizza night.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole
Million Dollar Spaghetti
With a name like this, expectations are high, and Million Dollar Spaghetti delivers. It’s creamy, indulgent, and just the right amount of rich, making each forkful feel like a treat. This dish is not only rewarding but also the kind that easily becomes a family favorite. Who knew spaghetti could feel this luxurious?
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti
Baked Feta Pasta
Simple yet so flavorful, this pasta dish has all the makings of a new classic. Baked Feta Pasta became a social media star for a reason—it’s rich, creamy, and beyond easy to make. It’s one of those dishes that will have everyone asking for seconds, forgetting all about pizza. This one brings a sense of indulgence without being over-the-top.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta
Creamy Spinach Orzo
With orzo as its base, this creamy pasta dish has a subtle sophistication that makes it a standout. Creamy Spinach Orzo feels like a cozy meal that’s just fancy enough for company but simple enough for any night of the week. It’s a pasta creation that’s filling yet light, making it ideal for pasta fans. Orzo just might become your new favorite way to enjoy pasta.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Orzo
Greek Spaghetti
This isn’t your traditional spaghetti—Greek Spaghetti brings a Mediterranean twist that’s both refreshing and rewarding. It’s a pasta dish that feels vibrant and lively, perfect for when you want something different. It’s hard not to enjoy the unique flavors and textures in this creation. And with this kind of spaghetti, pizza might just take a back seat.
Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti