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That’s a fantastic and creative list of spaghetti recipes. Here are 22 unique and delicious spaghetti recipes, ranging from classic twists to pantry raids and innovative ideas, including your “Panko Pesto” and “Pantry Puttanesca.”
1. Classic Basil Pesto with Toasted Panko
A twist on the Genovese staple. Toasted panko breadcrumbs add a fantastic crunch instead of pine nuts, making it nut-free and budget-friendly.
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Key Ingredients: Fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, panko breadcrumbs.
2. Pantry Puttanesca
The ultimate “no-fuss” pasta. This bold, salty, and spicy sauce comes entirely from pantry staples.
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Key Ingredients: Canned tomatoes, canned olives, capers, anchovy fillets, garlic, red pepper flakes.
3. Cacio e Pepe (Cheese & Pepper)
A Roman masterpiece that proves simplicity is king. Perfect technique is everything.
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Key Ingredients: Pecorino Romano, freshly cracked black pepper, pasta water.
4. Aglio e Olio (Garlic & Oil)
The ultimate late-night snack. Garlic is slowly infused in olive oil with a kick of red pepper flakes.
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Key Ingredients: Garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley.
5. Lemon Cream Sauce with Zest
Bright, creamy, and luxurious without being too heavy. Fresh lemon zest is the star.
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Key Ingredients: Heavy cream, lemon juice & zest, Parmesan, butter.
6. Spaghetti alla Nerano (Fried Zucchini)
A famous recipe from a small town near Naples. Thinly sliced zucchini are fried until golden and melded into a simple sauce.
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Key Ingredients: Zucchini, provolone or Parmesan, basil.
7. Carbonara
The classic Roman pasta. Raw eggs are gently cooked by the heat of the pasta to create a silky, cheesy sauce with crispy guanciale.
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Key Ingredients: Guanciale (or pancetta/bacon), Pecorino Romano, egg yolks, black pepper.
8. Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
A restaurant favorite that’s incredibly easy at home. The sauce is a garlicky, buttery, white wine dream.
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Key Ingredients: Shrimp, garlic, butter, white wine, lemon juice, parsley.
9. Spaghetti with Meatballs
The all-American Italian classic. Serve with tender meatballs and a rich, slow-simmered tomato sauce.
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Key Ingredients: Ground beef/pork mix, breadcrumbs, egg, canned tomatoes, onion, garlic.
10. Spaghetti with Clam Sauce (Bianco)
A taste of the sea. This “white” version highlights the briny flavor of fresh clams without tomatoes.
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Key Ingredients: Fresh clams (or high-quality canned), garlic, white wine, olive oil, parsley.
11. Brown Butter & Sage
Earthy, nutty, and elegant. Browned butter takes on a incredible depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with crispy sage leaves.
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Key Ingredients: Unsalted butter, fresh sage leaves, Parmesan.
12. Quick Tomato & Ricotta
No-cook sauce! Sweet, creamy ricotta is stirred into hot pasta with a splash of pasta water and a dollop of tomato paste for instant flavor.
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Key Ingredients: Ricotta cheese, tomato paste, garlic, basil.
13. Spaghetti with Sausage & Kale
A hearty, one-pan weeknight winner. The rendered fat from Italian sausage makes an incredible flavor base.
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Key Ingredients: Italian sausage, kale (or broccoli rabe), garlic, red pepper flakes.
14. “Everything Bagel” Spaghetti
A fun, savory, and utterly unique dish. Toasted everything bagel seasoning becomes the pasta’s coating.
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Key Ingredients: Everything bagel seasoning, cream cheese or sour cream, chives.
15. Greek-Inspired Spaghetti with Feta & Olives
A Mediterranean flavor bomb. Salty feta cheese melts into a quick tomato sauce studded with kalamata olives and oregano.
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Key Ingredients: Feta cheese, kalamata olives, canned tomatoes, dried oregano.
16. Spanish-Style Spaghetti with Chorizo
Smoked paprika and spicy chorizo bring bold Spanish flavors to this simple, fiery red sauce.
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Key Ingredients: Spanish chorizo (cured or raw), smoked paprika, canned tomatoes.
17. Thai Peanut Noodles
A fusion favorite. Spaghetti is a great stand-in for Asian noodles in this creamy, sweet, and spicy peanut sauce.
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Key Ingredients: Peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, sriracha, ginger, garlic.
18. Spaghetti with Lentil Bolognese
A rich, “meaty,” and deeply satisfying vegetarian sauce that simmers for hours like its traditional counterpart.
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Key Ingredients: Brown or green lentils, celery, carrot, onion, tomato paste, red wine.
19. Spaghetti with Burst Cherry Tomatoes & Basil
A celebration of summer. Sweet cherry tomatoes are cooked until they just burst open, creating a fresh, vibrant sauce.
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Key Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic.
20. Tuna Lemon Pepper
A pantry power player. High-quality canned tuna is flaked into a light, lemon-forward sauce with lots of black pepper.
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Key Ingredients: Canned olive oil-packed tuna, lemon zest & juice, capers, black pepper.
21. Garbage Plate Spaghetti
A “clean out the fridge” special. Sauté any leftover veggies (zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms) with garlic and olive oil for a zero-waste meal.
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Key Ingredients: Any leftover vegetables, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan.
22. Browned Ground Beef & Onion
A super simple, old-school Italian-American classic. Slowly cooked onions and beef create a deeply savory, minimalist sauce.
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Key Ingredients: Ground beef, yellow onions, butter or oil, salt, pepper.
Pro Tip for All Recipes: Save your pasta water! The starchy, salty water is the key to emulsifying your sauces and making them silky and cohesive. Always add a splash or two when tossing your spaghetti with the sauce. Enjoy your culinary adventure
