20 Delicious Ways To Celebrate National Pasta Day

Pasta is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods — there are so many ways to enjoy it! In fact, did you know that there are more than 600 different pasta shapes? So in honor of National Pasta Day on Oct. 17, here are 20 pasta recipes you can enjoy any and every day of the week.

I grew up with having pasta at least once a week, and that hasn’t changed much in my adult life. No matter how you enjoy your pasta, it’s one of those staple dishes that is always good in a pinch. Pasta is good hot, cold, spicy, sweet, in a cream sauce, in a tomato sauce, with no sauce, with meat, with veggies — you get the picture. There are so many different ways to cook and enjoy pasta that it’s amazing we don’t have it every single night (so many carbs, yo). Of course, if you happen to be gluten-free, you can substitute the doughy pasta for the veggie alternative or gluten-free noodles!

And aside from tasting delicious, pasta is also a dish you can cook in bulk — which makes it perfect for the upcoming holiday season. You’ll be the star of every holiday meal if you whip up any of these pasta recipes.

1. Pumpkin and Duck Ravioli in a Browned Butter Sauce

If this pasta dish doesn't just scream "fall," I don't know what does. I'm drooling just looking at it. The Crepes of Wrath has the recipe.

2. Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta

Few things are better than pasta with a couple of big, juicy shrimp tossed inside. And even better — the recipe from Averie Cooks only takes about 15 minutes!

3. Avocado BLT Pasta Salad

Pretty much anything can be improved with bacon and/or avocado — and this pasta salad recipe from Closet Cooking has both.

4. Spiralized Zucchini Pesto Pasta with Peas and Pancetta

Don't think I forgot about all you gluten-free dears! It's not pasta in a traditional sense — since the noodles are made from veggies and not dough — but hopefully it will still help you with your pasta craving. Against All Grain has the recipe.

5. Homemade Pappardelle and Classic Bolognese Sauce

You can't go wrong with a classic. A Better Happier St. Sebastian shows you how to make the homemade pasta and traditional bolognese sauce.

6. Roasted Brussels Sprout and Bacon Baked Pasta

Anything with Brussels sprouts has to be considered semi-healthy, right? Cookie Monster Cooking gives you the run down on this easy, baked dish.

7. Cocoa Pasta with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Ricotta

Now hear me out about cocoa pasta — it's really popular in Italy, and is just now catching on in the States. You'll really impress your friends and family by tackling this dish from A Cozy Kitchen.

8. Bruschetta Pasta Salad

Substitute crusty bread for shell pasta to create a bruschetta pasta salad. The recipe from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs would be great for fall BBQs or holiday potlucks.

9. Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta

If you can't get enough spinach artichoke dip, A Spicy Perspective shows you how to integrate it into a delicious pasta dish.

10. Eggplant Parmesan Pasta Bake

This dish is easy to make and a bit healthier than your average baked pasta dish — thanks eggplant! The Brewer and The Baker has the recipe.

11. Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken in a Creamy Rosemary Lemon Sauce

If you're craving chicken noodle soup without the soup, this recipe from Adventures in Cooking should be your jam. Funnily enough, orecchiette noodles are shaped like little bowls anyway — perfect for capturing all the lemony sauce.

12. Spring Asparagus and Mushroom Pasta

Get your daily share of vegetables and enjoy a heaping bowl of delicious pasta — in this case, homemade ribbon pasta. A Better Happier St. Sebastian has the recipe.

13. Creamy Sweet Corn Pasta with Clams

You can use the last of your summer sweet corn and fresh clams for this recipe from A Cozy Kitchen. Fennel flowers make for a great garnish!

14. Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad

Maybe you've had a ton of Chinese chicken salads in your life time, but have you ever had a Chinese chicken pasta salad? Averie Cooks has the unique recipe.

15. Squash & Roasted Cauliflower Pasta with Rosemary Cream Sauce

The creamy sauce and veggies makes this pasta dish from Climbing Grier Mountain a hearty meal for fall.

16. Creamy Pesto Caprese Pasta Casserole

Put your tomato and basil harvest to good use in a warm, gooey pasta casserole that is perfect for the cool days of fall and winter. Closet Cooking has the recipe.

17. Creamy Brie, Bacon, and Pea Pasta

I like to think of this recipe from The Brewer and The Baker as a sort of deconstructed, meatless pot pie. Of course, you could always toss in some chunks of chicken for more of a pub food taste.

18. Mediterranean Farfalle Pasta Salad

This might be more of a summertime dish, but the Mediterranean flavors are pretty good in any season. Cookie Monster Cooking has the recipe.

19. Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

This is another simple classic that everyone can enjoy. Damn Delicious says you can make it in just 30 minutes!

20. Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly Pasta

This recipe from I Am a Food Blog calls for spaghetti, pork belly, and a few spices — basically a piece of cake (or pasta)!

Looking for more food ideas? Check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: The Crepes of Wrath ; Averie Cooks ; Closet Cooking ; Against All Grain ; A Better Happier St. Sebastian ; Cookie Monster Cooking ; A Cozy Kitchen ; A Pretty Life in the Suburbs ; A Spicy Perspective ; The Brewer and The Baker ; Adventures in Cooking ; A Better Happier St. Sebastian ; A Cozy Kitchen ; Averie Cooks ; Climbing Grier Mountain ; Closet Cooking ; The Brewer and The Baker ; Cookie Monster Cooking ; Damn Delicious ; I Am a Food Blog