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Christmas Pasta Recipes

Published: · Modified: by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

These Christmas pasta recipes take traditional Christmas dinner expectations and turn them on their head. From alfredo to steak and shrimp and everything in between, serve up these delicious dishes as a fun new addition to your dinner table or a completely new way to enjoy the holidays.

Collage of four delicious recipes. The title "Christmas Pasta Recipes" is in the center of the collage.

Why These Pasta Recipes are so Great

I mean, the obvious reason is staring us all right in the face. It's pasta! Pasta dishes have always been pure comfort food to me, and what's more comforting than the holiday season? That's why these recipes are all so great for the Christmas season.

Of course, we're all used to turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and a whole host of other sides, and I'm definitely not saying that you should forego those. I'm just saying that it would be great to have all of that and then some, wouldn't it?

Imagine a plate of turkey and dressing alongside some delicious alfredo pasta. Or maybe you make an entire holiday feast of several different pasta recipes to really mix things up. The choice is up to you, but you'll definitely have a holiday dinner that will be remembered in either case.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and there's no better time to spruce up your menu with some festive dishes. One way to bring joy and warmth to your table this Christmas is by incorporating delicious pasta recipes. Not only are these dishes a crowd-pleaser, but they also offer a unique and versatile alternative to the traditional holiday fare.

When it comes to Christmas pasta recipes, the possibilities are endless. From rich and creamy carbonara to a vibrant vodka sauce with meat and vegetables, there's something to suit every palate.

So, put on your apron, grab your utensils, and get ready to prepare a memorable festive feast that will leave your guests coming back for seconds.

Traditional Italian Christmas Pasta Dishes

Manicotti: Manicotti is a popular Italian dish that can be enjoyed during a Christmas dinner and is kid-friendly.

Pasta Carbonara: Pasta Carbonara is another classic Italian pasta dish perfect for Christmas Eve. It is traditionally made with spaghetti, but you can also use other types of pasta such as fettuccine or linguine.

Penne Alla Vodka: If you are looking for a modern twist to your Christmas pasta menu, Penne Alla Vodka is an excellent choice.

Holiday Pasta Sauces

Alfredo: One classic choice for a rich and creamy holiday sauce is Alfredo, maybe with some sun-dried tomatoes.

Marinara: Marinara is another classic Italian holiday sauce. Like alfredo sauce, marinara sauce can be paired with almost any other flavor, so you'll find it in dishes that are perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions like holiday gatherings.

Hearty Meat-Based Pasta Recipes

Consider these tasty options that incorporate various types of meat like ground beef, pork, shrimp, or steak.

For a seafood twist, try the Bistro Shrimp Pasta, a delightful Cheesecake Factory copycat recipe.

Vegetarian Christmas Pasta Options

With a wide range of versatile ingredients such as carrots, onions, celery, and broccoli, there are plenty of tasty options to choose from.

If you're a fan of classic flavors, pasta carbonara easily adapts to a vegetarian version. Simply replace the bacon with your favorite vegetables. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery to add depth and richness to the dish.

Seasonings and Aromatics

Salt: Salt is a crucial ingredient in every pasta dish as it enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients. When cooking your pasta, be sure to add enough salt to the boiling water. You can adjust the levels of saltiness later in the sauce, but seasoning the pasta water is a fundamental step.

Black Pepper: Black pepper adds subtle heat and depth to any pasta dish. It pairs wonderfully with cream-based sauces like Alfredo, as well as tomato-based sauces like marinara. Don't be afraid to use a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper in your Christmas pasta recipes.

Cinnamon: This might seem like an unconventional choice, but it adds a warm, sweet-spicy note to certain pasta dishes. A touch of cinnamon can work exceptionally well in meat sauce recipes, balancing the savory flavors with a delicate sweetness. Use it with caution, though, as a little goes a long way.

Allspice: Allspice is another cozy, warming spice that can elevate a pasta dish. It lends a complex taste that combines the flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Adding a pinch of allspice to a tomato-based sauce can offer depth and warmth perfect for the festive season.

Bay Leaf: Bay leaf is an aromatic herb that infuses a delicate, earthy aroma into your pasta dishes. It works especially well in tomato sauce-based recipes, adding subtle complexity. Be sure to remove the bay leaf before serving, as it remains tough after cooking and can be a choking hazard.

Incorporate these seasonings and aromatics in your Christmas pasta recipes to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. Remember, the key is to find the right balance. Experiment with these ingredients to discover the combination that perfectly suits your taste buds.

Cheeses and Toppings

When it comes to Christmas pasta, selecting the right cheeses and toppings can elevate your dish to new levels of deliciousness. Let's explore some popular cheese options and toppings to make your holiday meal memorable.

Pecorino Romano or Parmesan: These are both fantastic choices for your Christmas pasta and pair well grated over many traditional Italian pasta sauces, like marinara or Alfredo.

Serving Suggestions

First, consider the number of pasta servings you'll need and how much bread to serve with it.

A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing, roasted or steamed vegetables, such as green beans, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts.

Tips for Hosting a Festive Pasta Party

When planning a festive pasta party for your holiday gathering, there are some key elements to consider that will make your event stand out.

  • beautifully decorated holiday table. Use colorful linens, festive dinnerware, and seasonal centerpieces
  • use name cards if you have assigned seating for your guests
  • crafting the perfect menu starts with selecting a variety of pasta dishes to suit various tastes.
  • set up an appetizer station while wait for main course.
  • dessert table too

FAQ

What are popular Christmas pasta side dishes?

Some popular choices include creamy Alfredo pasta, a simple pasta salad with roasted vegetables or a tortellini salad.

What are some baked pasta dishes suitable for Christmas?

Some delicious options include our baked boursin pasta, manicotti or stuffed shells for a crowd-pleasing dish.

Expert Tips

To make your Christmas pasta dishes even more delightful and enjoyable, follow these 10 expert tips:

  • Cook pasta al dente
  • Season your boiling water with plenty of salt
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the consistency of your sauce
  • Incorporate seasonal ingredients
  • Don't skimp on fresh herbs
  • Add a touch of dairy like cream or Parmesan cheese, can give your sauce a velvety smooth texture
  • Taste as you go

Christmas Pasta Recipes

From Cajun flavors to pizza spaghetti and everything in between, this collection has all kinds of delicious flavors for you to experiment with. They're all delicious and make for a truly unique addition to any holiday table.

Easy Steak Pasta (Steak Spaghetti)
Easy marinara steak pasta features a wonderful homemade marinara sauce and perfectly cooked steak, grilled, pan-fried or broiled. When steak and spaghetti come together you've got a dish that can't be beat!
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Bowl of Easy Marinara Steak Pasta (Steak Spaghetti) on the table.
The Easiest Boursin Pasta Recipe
Our Boursin pasta recipe is total comfort food and full of so much flavor. This quick pasta with boursin cheese recipe is a definite keeper.
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Boursin Pasta topped with shredded cheese and served in a white bowl on the table.
Vodka Sauce with Meat Pasta Recipe
Homemade vodka sauce with meat is an easy dinner meal you will come back to time again for its delicious flavor and the variety of different ways you can use it to create meals your family loves.
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Penne alla vodka with meat cooked in a skillet topped with one basil leaf.
One Pot Lasagna Soup
Looking for a delicious and easy dinner recipe? One Pot Lasagna Soup makes a simple solution!! Forget the hassle of layering and baking traditional lasagna. By cooking everything in a single pot, you will enjoy the same flavors with half the effort. It's a great way to save time, minimize cleanup, and still create a tasty and satisfying meal.
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White bowl full of one pot lasagna soup with spoon in it.
Summer Alfredo Pasta Recipe
This summer alfredo pasta recipe is one of the easiest you'll ever make. It's light and delicious, and requires no roux!
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A plate full of summer alfredo pasta recipe.
Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta
Spicy Italian sausage pasta is loaded with tons of flavor and a kick of heat thanks to spicy Italian sausage, and two kinds of chili peppers. It's a hearty, flavorful dish that everyone will love.
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A bowl of spicy Italian sausage pasta on the table with a spoon in the bowl.
Bistro Shrimp Pasta
Enjoy this Cheesecake Factory copycat shrimp pasta recipe at home. Juicy, crispy shrimp served up on top of pasta in a lemon basil cream sauce with vegetables.
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Bowl of shrimp bistro pasta served up on the table.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Cook up a creamy bowl of buffalo chicken pasta using the Instant Pot in a matter of minutes. This easy recipe requires only 10 minutes of hands-on time to prepare making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
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Plate of buffalo chicken pasta on a plate topped with cheese crumbles and green onion.
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken is an easy weeknight meal to serve up for busy weekdays. It only takes a few minutes to prep and then the rest of the work is done by the Instant Pot.
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Plate of instant pot chicken parmesan pasta with a fork picking up some pasta.
Bang bang chicken pasta
Tender chicken in a rich, creamy, spicy sauce, this Bang Bang Chicken Pasta has it all. When craving something warm and delicious with a kick, then this bang bang chicken recipe is your go to!
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Cajun Shrimp Pasta - Creole Heaven
Cajun shrimp pasta has an explosion of flavor that can't be beat. This spicy shrimp pasta recipe results in a dish that combines perfectly-cooked shrimp and tender pasta in a creamy, spicy Cajun sauce that will have your taste buds singing! They don't call it Creole heaven for nothing.
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Pizza Spaghetti Casserole (Fazoli's Copycat)
This delectably meaty, cheesy Pizza Spaghetti Casserole recipe is a copycat Fazoli’s pizza-baked spaghetti loaded with your favorite pizza toppings.
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Beef Lombardi
Beef Lombardi Casserole are filled with a wonderful meaty layer, creamy, cheesy pasta layer with some cheese on top! Definitely different!  Always delicious!  
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Beef Lombardi
Steak and Shrimp Pasta
This steak and shrimp pasta is loaded with flavor in every bite. You'll love the tender shrimp and steak in this delicious surf and turf pasta.
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A bowl full of steak and shrimp pasta.
Easy Spaghetti Pie
Take your classic spaghetti dish up a notch with this easy spaghetti pie recipe. It's meaty, cheesy, and super savory- perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
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A fork holding a bite of cheesy spaghetti pie casserole with layers of ground meat, cheese, and other ingredients.
Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a shrimp and pasta lover's dream. Covered in a flavorful sauce, this dish is light and hearty at the same time. A meal unto itself, It will not disappoint!
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Plate of garlic shrimp pasta garnished with fresh parsley.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta includes sun dried tomatoes in a delightfully creamy garlic parmesan sauce and a secret ingredient.
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Easy Cheesy Tuna Casserole
No doubt about it, this Cheesy Tuna or Salmon Pasta Casserole without soup is a classic. Flaky canned tuna or salmon, noodles, sour cream in a rich homemade sauce and topped with crackers, breadcrumbs or potato chips for a crunch, it's the ultimate in casseroles! 
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A bowl of cheesy tuna casserole on the table.
Meat Lovers Pizza Pasta Casserole
Pizza Pasta Casserole is meat lover's dream come true! Loaded with pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon, this casserole is hearty and filling. Follow this pizza pasta casserole recipe and see just how easy it is to make. The whole family will love it!
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Meat Lovers Pizza Pasta Casserole
Best Greek Pasta Salad
This Greek pasta salad is super easy to make, a delicious medley of flavors and textures, and is great to make as a side dish or even a light lunch or dinner.
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Greek pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon lifting some out.
Creamy Parmesan Ham Pasta
This Creamy Parmesan Ham Pasta dish is divine. It's the rich, smooth, cheesy sauce that does it. I just can't get enough. Choose your favorite vegetables and pasta and you're on your way to making the best pasta dish ever!
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Creamy Parmesan Ham Pasta
Alfredo Meatballs
These alfredo meatballs are loaded with flavor and bathed in a delicious alfredo sauce. It's a hearty, tasty dinner everyone loves.
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A bowl full of alfredo meatballs on spaghetti.
Loaded Awesome Pasta Alfredo
This Loaded Awesome Pasta Alfredo recipe is my favorite. It is so good. Ham, shrimp, chicken, bacon or sausage, all work beautifully. The sauce is divine.
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Loaded Pasta Alfredo
Rigatoni Carbonara
Rigatoni carbonara is an easy and tasty dinner idea. Chicken, your favorite vegetables, and pasta in a sauce that takes a moment to make!
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Creamy Sherry Chicken Pasta
Creamy Sherry Chicken Pasta is totally delicious! Pour this nutty, creamy, rich sauce over chicken, pasta and assorted veggies and you've got a dish fit for royalty! The creamiest, most versatile sauce ever!    
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Creamy Sherry Chicken Pasta
Awesome Alfredo Sauce
Awesome Alfredo Sauce is fast, easy and delicious. Made with just a few ingredients, this sauce is easier to make than you think. A beautiful homemade sauce is always so much better than store- bought!
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Awesome Alfredo Sauce
Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells
This copycat Olive Garden stuffed shells recipe has everything we love about Olive Garden giant stuffed shells. In fact, it might be better!
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Copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells on a plate.
The Best Baked Stuffed Shells
This is The Best Baked Stuffed Shells recipe you will ever come across. Ground meat, ricotta cheese, mushrooms baked in tomato sauce and covered in cheese!  Dinner doesn't get better than that!
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The Best Baked Stuffed Shells
Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup
This ramen chicken noodle soup recipe is full of Asian-inspired flavor. This Asian chicken ramen noodle soup recipe is a fusion of Asian and American.
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Overhead shot of ramen noodle soup in bowl
Black Bean Noodles (Black Bean Garlic Beef Noodles)
Black Bean Noodles or Black Bean Garlic Beef Noodles is an easy recipe with your favorite vegetables, noodles and how to make the best black bean garlic sauce.
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Black Bean Garlic Beef Noodles
Pork Noodles
Pork Noodles are so good. It is all about the sauce. We use whatever vegetables and noodles we have on hand and this dish never disappoints.
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Pork Noodles
Japanese Inspired Noodles with Beef
This Japanese Inspired Noodles with Beef dish works well with udon or ramen noodles or plain old rice. The sauce is what makes this dish fabulous.  Different and delicious!
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Japanese Inspired Noodles with Beef
Shrimp Yakisoba
Shrimp yakisoba is a sweet, tangy, spicy dish full of vegetables, noodles, shrimp, and sauce. It's delicious, complex, and easy to make.
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A bowl of shrimp yakisoba.
School Cafeteria Spaghetti
This school cafeteria spaghetti recipe will have you recalling the flavor of childhood. This simple recipe tastes like lunch period!
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plate full of School Cafeteria Spaghetti.
Fried Spaghetti
This fried spaghetti recipe is quick, easy, and light. It's a great pasta dish for any day of the week. It even reheats well!
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Fried spaghetti twisted around a fork.
Spaghetti Verde
This spaghetti verde pasta is loaded with the delicious flavors of salsa verde and served with spaghetti noodles.
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A bowl full of spaghetti verde pasta.
Mexican Chicken Spaghetti
Mexican chicken spaghetti is loaded with tender, white meat chicken, spaghetti, cheese, and of course, a ton of Mexican flavor.
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A bowl full of mexican chicken spaghetti.
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is scrumptious and easy to make. Essentially, it's a dump-and-go recipe. Chock full of chicken, cheese, and other fabulous ingredients, this dish is hearty and filling.
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A plate of cheesy spaghetti with chicken garnished with herbs.
Meaty Noodle Casserole
Meaty Noodle Casserole is the best ever ground beef or hamburger casserole with egg noodles, your favorite vegetables, cheese and cream of mushroom soup!
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Meaty Noodle Casserole

Makes Christmas Pasta Recipes Part of Your Holiday Table

If you're tired of the same old same old, then give these Christmas pasta recipes a try. Any dish is a holiday dish if you serve it for your Christmas meal, so whip up a few of these and try an all-pasta Christmas dinner. You can also simply add one or two of them to your traditional dishes for a twist. In either case, everyone is going to love them.

Collage of four delicious recipes. The title "Christmas Pasta Recipes" is in the center of the collage.

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