Discover 10 exquisite winter pasta recipes that combine Italian tradition with seasonal comfort. From the luxurious Butternut Squash and Sage Brown Butter Fettuccine to hearty Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle, these dishes are perfect for cold weather dining. Our collection features creamy Wild Mushroom Rigatoni, comforting Four-Cheese Baked Ziti, and a warming Winter Vegetable Pasta Bake. For lighter options, explore our Winter Orzo Salad with roasted vegetables and Mediterranean Winter Pasta Salad. Don’t miss the soul-warming Pasta e Fagioli, spicy Italian Sausage and Kale Orecchiette, and Roasted Garlic and Broccoli Rabe Linguine. Each recipe includes detailed instructions and carefully selected ingredients to create restaurant-quality pasta dishes in your home kitchen. Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions throughout the winter season.
1. Butternut Squash and Sage Brown Butter Pasta
Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins | Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash, cubed
- 1 lb fettuccine
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 15 fresh sage leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Roast Squash (30 mins)
- Make Brown Butter Sauce (10 mins)
- Melt butter until golden brown and nutty
- Crisp sage leaves in butter
- Combine (5 mins)
- Toss cooked fettuccine with squash
- Add brown butter and Parmesan
- Season and top with crispy sage
- 💡 Pro Tip: Cut squash into even cubes for uniform cooking
2. Creamy Wild Mushroom Rigatoni
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb rigatoni
- 1 lb mixed wild mushrooms
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- Fresh thyme
- Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Prep Mushrooms (10 mins)
- Make Sauce (15 mins)
- Sear mushrooms until golden
- Add garlic, wine, and cream
- Simmer until thickened
- Finish (5 mins)
- Toss with al dente rigatoni
- Add pasta water to reach desired consistency
- 💡 Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd mushrooms while searing
Pasta Bakes
3. Four-Cheese Baked Ziti
Prep Time: 25 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins | Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 1/2 cup Parmesan
- 1/2 cup fontina
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Prep Components (15 mins)
- Mix ricotta with egg and seasonings
- Cook pasta 2 mins less than package time
- Warm marinara sauce
- Layer (10 mins)
- Alternate pasta, cheese mix, and sauce
- Top with remaining cheeses
- Bake (30-35 mins)
- Cover and bake at 375°F
- Uncover for final 10 mins until golden
- 💡 Pro Tip: Let rest 10 mins before serving
4. Winter Vegetable Pasta Bake
Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins | Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne
- 2 cups roasted root vegetables (parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes)
- Béchamel sauce
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- Fresh herbs
Instructions
- Roast Vegetables (30 mins)
- Make Sauce (10 mins)
- Prepare quick béchamel
- Season with nutmeg
- Assemble & Bake (30 mins)
- Mix pasta, vegetables, and sauce
- Top with breadcrumbs and cheese
- Bake until golden
Pasta Salads
5. Winter Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables
Prep Time: 25 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb orzo
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Roasted butternut squash
- Dried cranberries
- Toasted pecans
- Apple cider vinaigrette
Instructions
- Roast & Prep (30 mins)
- Make Dressing (5 mins)
- Whisk apple cider vinaigrette
- Season well
- Combine (5 mins)
- Toss all ingredients
- Add dried cranberries
6. Mediterranean Winter Pasta Salad
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini
- Marinated artichokes
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Kalamata olives
- Feta cheese
- Red wine vinaigrette
Instructions
- Prep Components (20 mins)
- Combine & Chill
- Toss all ingredients
- Let flavors meld in fridge
Hearty Winter Pastas
7. Spicy Italian Sausage and Kale Orecchiette
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb orecchiette
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 bunch kale, chopped
- Red pepper flakes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Brown sausage
- Cook pasta
- Sauté kale with garlic
- Combine all ingredients
- Finish with olive oil and pepper flakes
8. Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle
Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 3 hours | Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb pappardelle
- 2 lbs short ribs
- Mirepoix
- Red wine
- Tomatoes
- Fresh herbs
Instructions
- Braise short ribs in wine and aromatics
- Shred meat when tender
- Reduce sauce
- Cook pasta
- Combine and garnish with herbs
9. Pasta e Fagioli
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins | Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb ditalini pasta
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh Parmesan for serving
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened (about 5 minutes)
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant (1 minute)
- Add tomatoes, beans, broth, Parmesan rind, and herbs. Simmer for 20 minutes
- Add pasta and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes)
- Season to taste, garnish with parsley and fresh Parmesan
10. Roasted Garlic and Broccoli Rabe Linguine
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 35 mins | Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb linguine
- 2 heads roasted garlic
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe
- Olive oil
- Red pepper flakes
- Pine nuts
Instructions
- Roast garlic
- Blanch broccoli rabe
- Cook pasta
- Sauté broccoli rabe with garlic
- Toss together and top with pine nuts
