7 Best Winter Pasta Recipes to Warm Your Soul This Season

Winter is the perfect time to dive into comforting, warming dishes that not only fill your belly but also warm your soul. There's just something magical about a hot plate of pasta on a chilly evening that can make everything seem right in the world.

If you're like me and start craving hearty meals as the temperatures drop, you'll love these recipes. From creamy and cheesy concoctions to hearty veggie-packed bowls, these 7 best winter pasta recipes to warm your soul this season are sure to become your go-to dishes. Let's get cooking!

1. Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fettuccine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 16 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant.
3. Add the mushrooms and cook until they're tender and have released their moisture.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard, and cook until the sauce thickens.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Toss the cooked fettuccine in the sauce.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

2. Spicy Sausage Rigatoni

Ingredients:

• 14 oz rigatoni
• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned.
3. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until the onion is soft.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary.
6. Toss the cooked rigatoni in the sauce.
7. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

3. Butternut Squash Alfredo

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 12 oz linguine
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Nutmeg (optional)
• Fresh sage, chopped

Instructions:

1. Boil the butternut squash in a pot of salted water until tender. Drain and blend until smooth.
2. Cook the linguine according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté the garlic until fragrant.
4. Add the butternut squash puree and milk, stirring until smooth and heated through.
5. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if desired.
6. Toss the pasta in the sauce.
7. Garnish with fresh sage before serving.

4. Beef Ragu Pappardelle

Ingredients:

• 14 oz pappardelle
• 1 lb beef chuck, cut into pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the beef on all sides.
2. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic, cooking until the vegetables are soft.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, red wine, beef broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2-3 hours until the meat is tender.
4. Remove the bay leaf and shred the beef with a fork.
5. Cook the pappardelle according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
6. Toss the pasta in the ragu sauce.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

5. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

• 18 large pasta shells
• 1 container ricotta cheese (15 oz)
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions. Drain and cool.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, egg, salt, and pepper.
3. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
4. Stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture and place them in a baking dish.
5. Pour marinara sauce over the stuffed shells.
6. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

6. Pesto Chicken Penne

Ingredients:

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pine nuts and fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and basil pesto. Mix well.
3. Add cherry tomatoes and gently toss.
4. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
5. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and fresh basil.

7. Cheesy Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
4. Combine the pasta with the cheese mixture and half of the marinara sauce.
5. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining marinara sauce and the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Conclusion

These recipes are perfect for those cold winter nights when you need something warm and comforting. Give them a try, and let me know which one becomes your favorite!