Updated Oct. 17, 2023 for National Pasta Day.
Oct. 17, 2023, is National Pasta Day, but really, any day is pasta day for us. Here are 10 of our favorite pasta recipes from The Dallas Morning News archives:
Cacio e Pepe from Lucia
This recipe from Lucia in Dallas relies on a very starchy pasta cooking water to make the creamy pasta sauce. At Lucia, the pasta water is reused throughout the night, so it is already starchy when the staff makes the pasta sauce. Home cooks can get the same results by cooking the spaghetti in a small amount of water, as detailed in the recipe.
Strapponi with Porcini Mushrooms from Pasta Grannies
Known as a forager’s supper, this dish hails from the steeply wooded parts of Italy that are a mushroom hunter’s heaven. Strapponi are hand-torn, ragged pieces of pasta.
Cavatelli with Parsley-Walnut Pesto from Leslie Brenner
Feel free to substitute pine nuts or pecans for the walnuts, or fresh basil leaves for the parsley; the recipe is very forgiving.
Poblano Pepper Pasta from Carolina Maldonado of Lockhart Smokehouse
Roasted Poblano and jalapeño peppers, cilantro and spices enliven a creamy, cheesy sauce for this pasta dish.
Spaghetti with Sun Gold Tomatoes, Pickled Jalapeño, Ricotta Salata and Basil from chef Julian Barsotti
This 10-minute recipe is easy enough for weeknights, yet worthy of company.
Lamb Bolognese from Leslie Brenner
This bolognese is splendid on the fettuccine or pappardelle from a box, too. You can make the sauce a day or two ahead of serving, or put it on the table as soon as it’s done.
Orecchiette With Sausage, Rapini and Chile from Sachet
At Sachet restaurant in Dallas, broccoli rabe’s earthy bite is the perfect foil for sweet, fennel-kissed sausage with orecchiette pasta. The restaurant shared its recipe for this classic Calabrian dish — a quick fix for weeknight suppers or entertaining
Cavalieri alla Nerano (pasta with Nerano-style zucchini sauce) from La Stella Cucina Verace
This mind-blowing pasta dish features zucchini three ways: sautéed, puréed and crisp-fried.
