10 Best Pasta Dishes for a New Year’s Eve Dinner: A Delicious Countdown

New Year's Eve is just around the corner, and I've been mulling over what dishes to serve to ring in the new year. I've come to realize that few things beat the comfort and deliciousness of pasta. From creamy sauces to zesty toppings, pasta dishes can be the highlight of any festive gathering.

So, I decided to curate a list of the "10 Best Pasta Dishes for a New Year’s Eve Dinner: A Delicious Countdown" to help you create the perfect menu. These recipes are not just about flavor; they're about making your evening cozy, joyful, and downright delicious. Let's dive into these mouth-watering dishes that are sure to impress your guests.

1. Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

This Italian favorite is a hit every time. It's rich, creamy, and surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 oz pancetta, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and Parmesan cheese.
3. In a large skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Remove the skillet from heat and toss in the spaghetti. Quickly add the egg mixture, stirring constantly to create a creamy sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

2. Lobster Ravioli with Lemon Butter Sauce

Perfect for a special occasion, this dish combines the indulgence of lobster with a zesty lemon butter sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lobster ravioli
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the lobster ravioli according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in lemon zest, juice, and heavy cream. Cook for 2 minutes.
4. Toss the cooked ravioli in the skillet until well coated.
5. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot.

3. Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This vibrant and flavorful dish is a breeze to whip up and adds a beautiful color to your New Year’s Eve table.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, basil pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes.
3. Toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
4. Sprinkle with pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.

4. Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Shrimp scampi over linguine is a quick and elegant option that's sure to impress.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz linguine
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and red pepper flakes
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Boil linguine according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Pour in white wine and lemon juice. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
5. Toss in the cooked linguine and mix well.
6. Season with salt, red pepper flakes, and garnish with fresh parsley.

5. Chicken Alfredo

Creamy, cheesy, and incredibly comforting, Chicken Alfredo is a crowd-pleaser every time.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fettuccine
• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, cook the chicken over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the garlic. Cook until fragrant.
4. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
5. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce thickens.
6. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked fettuccine.
7. Toss to combine, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley.

6. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

These pasta shells are filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, baked to perfection with marinara sauce.

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 egg
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh basil, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, egg, salt, and pepper.
4. Stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture.
5. Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells on top.
6. Cover with remaining marinara sauce.
7. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

7. Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a hearty, cheesy pasta dish that's perfect for feeding a crowd on New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh basil, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ziti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with garlic until browned. Drain any excess fat.
4. Stir in marinara sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
6. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
8. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

8. Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto

This creamy risotto brings a touch of elegance to your New Year’s Eve dinner, featuring the earthy flavors of butternut squash and sage.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups butternut squash, diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp butter
• Fresh sage leaves
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat the vegetable broth and keep it warm.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Add the diced butternut squash and cook until slightly tender.
4. Stir in the Arborio rice and cook until lightly toasted.
5. Pour in the white wine and cook until absorbed.
6. Gradually add the warm broth, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly until absorbed before adding more.
7. Once the rice is creamy and tender, stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.
8. Garnish with fresh sage leaves and serve hot.

9. Mushroom and Truffle Oil Pasta

For a luxurious and earthy dish, this mushroom pasta flavored with truffle oil is a must-try.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz tagliatelle or fettuccine
• 2 cups mixed mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp truffle oil
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook the tagliatelle according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add mushrooms and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Pour in white wine and cook until mostly evaporated.
5. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
6. Add the cooked tagliatelle and Parmesan cheese, tossing to coat.
7. Drizzle with truffle oil and season with salt and pepper.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

10. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Simple yet packed with flavor, this garlic and olive oil pasta is an Italian classic that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until garlic is golden.
3. Toss in the cooked spaghetti, ensuring it’s well coated with the garlic oil mixture.
4. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh parsley.
5. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Conclusion

Bringing these delicious pasta dishes to your New Year’s Eve dinner table is a surefire way to impress your guests. Each recipe offers unique flavors and a comfortable warmth, making your celebration both special and memorable. Here's to starting the new year with a satisfied palate and happy hearts!