35 Fall Pasta Recipes
When the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, it’s time to swap light summer pastas for heartier, more indulgent dishes that celebrate autumn’s best flavors. These 35 fall pasta recipes feature roasted squash, sage, mushrooms, apples, and warming spices that’ll make your kitchen smell like October. From creamy sauces to rustic baked pastas, you’ll find plenty of reasons to keep pasta on the dinner table all season long.
1. Butternut Squash Ravioli
Source: jaroflemons.com
Pillowy ravioli filled with sweet roasted butternut squash and ricotta, finished with brown butter and crispy sage leaves. The combination of nutty brown butter with hints of cinnamon is pure autumn comfort.
2. Mushroom and Thyme Pasta
Source: sainsburysmagazine.co.uk
Earthy cremini and shiitake mushrooms sautéed with fresh thyme create a rich, woodsy sauce that clings to every strand. A splash of cream and Parmesan makes it restaurant-quality at home.
3. Pumpkin Cream Sauce Penne
Source: bonappetit.com
Silky pumpkin puree blended with heavy cream, garlic, and a touch of sage creates a luxurious sauce that’s savory, not sweet. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds for extra crunch.
4. Apple and Sausage Pasta
Source: iowagirleats.com
Italian sausage browned until crispy, then combined with thinly sliced apples that soften into the sauce for a sweet-savory balance. The acidity of apples cuts through the richness beautifully.
5. Roasted Garlic and Kale Linguine
Source: orchidsandsweettea.com
Whole heads of garlic roasted until golden and sweet are mashed into a silky sauce with hearty kale and red pepper flakes. It’s simple, garlicky, and absolutely craveable.
6. Baked Ziti with Fall Vegetables
Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com
Layers of ziti, roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and a creamy tomato sauce, all topped with a golden cheese crust. This one-dish wonder is perfect for weeknight dinners.
7. Wild Mushroom Bolognese
Source: mindful.sodexo.com
A vegetarian take on the classic, using finely chopped mixed mushrooms that mimic the texture of ground meat and develop deep umami flavors. Walnut pieces add earthiness and bite.
8. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Pasta
Source: jocooks.com
Gorgeous jewel-toned roasted beets pureed into a creamy sauce with tangy goat cheese and walnuts for crunch. The earthiness of beets shines without overpowering the dish.
9. Brown Butter and Sage Gnocchi
Source: lenaskitchenblog.com
Pillowy potato gnocchi swimming in nutty brown butter infused with crispy sage leaves and a whisper of nutmeg. Simple elegance that tastes like fall in every bite.
10. Spiced Butternut Squash Lasagna
Source: thepioneerwoman.com
Layers of creamy squash mixed with ricotta, béchamel sauce, and warm spices like cinnamon and clove create a sophisticated vegetarian lasagna. A touch of nutmeg ties everything together.
11. Caramelized Onion and Walnut Penne
Source: epicurious.com
Sweet, jammy caramelized onions tossed with toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and a splash of balsamic vinegar for complexity. This cozy combination feels like autumn comfort food.
12. Roasted Acorn Squash Macaroni
Source: veggiecraft.com
Creamy mac and cheese with roasted acorn squash that adds natural sweetness and beautiful golden color to the sauce. A gratin topping of panko and herbs makes it irresistible.
13. Chorizo and Charred Tomato Pasta
Source: taste.com.au
Spicy chorizo releases its oils as it cooks, then gets tossed with tomatoes that blister under high heat until their skins char and flavors concentrate. Finish with fresh cilantro.
14. Pecans and Fresh Figs Fettuccine
Source: valleyfig.com
Roasted pecans and fresh or dried figs create a sweet and nutty sauce that sounds fancy but takes minutes to make. A drizzle of aged balsamic adds sophistication.
15. Creamy Celeriac and Thyme Pappardelle
Source: kitchengarden.co.uk
Celery root pureed with cream and vegetable stock makes an unexpectedly delicate sauce that’s earthy without being heavy. Wide pappardelle ribbons show off the silky texture.
16. Pulled Pork Ragu with Pappardelle
Source: insidetherustickitchen.com
Slow-cooked pulled pork braised in tomatoes and red wine creates a deeply flavored ragu that’s perfect for cooler weather. The meat breaks down into tender strands.
17. Ricotta and Pear Ravioli
Source: mindfood.com
Fresh pears bring subtle sweetness and delicate flavor to creamy ricotta filling, balanced with a hint of black pepper and nutmeg. Serve with light brown butter.
18. Lentil Bolognese with Spinach
Source: mayihavethatrecipe.com
Red lentils cooked down until they become a rich, meat-like sauce, with spinach stirred in for green nutrition and earthiness. This vegetarian version is heartier than you’d expect.
19. Roasted Carrot and Cumin Pasta
Source: lifeisbutadish.com
Sweet roasted carrots pureed with warm cumin spice create an unexpected but delicious sauce that’s both cozy and aromatic. Toasted seeds on top add texture and visual interest.
20. Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Linguine
Source: creative-culinary.com
Crispy bacon pieces combined with halved Brussels sprouts that char in the bacon fat until golden and tender, then tossed with garlic and a squeeze of lemon. Simple and deeply satisfying.
21. Cream of Mushroom Truffle Penne
Source: sweetteaandthyme.com
A decadent sauce of sautéed mushrooms finished with cream, Gruyère, and a drizzle of truffle oil elevates this to special-occasion territory. The aroma alone is intoxicating.
22. Sweet Potato and Sage Cannelloni
Source: rinewstoday.com
Tubes of pasta stuffed with roasted sweet potato, ricotta, and crispy sage, then baked in a light tomato sauce with a béchamel layer. It’s elegant enough for guests.
23. Beef Stew Pasta Bake
Source: supergoldenbakes.com
Your favorite beef stew ingredients—tender meat, root vegetables, red wine—combined with pasta and baked until bubbly and brown on top. It’s a cozy one-pot that feels like home.
24. Roasted Red Pepper and Hazelnuts
Source: putonyourcakepants.com
Charred red peppers pureed with roasted hazelnuts create a nutty, slightly smoky sauce that’s naturally gluten-free if you use GF pasta. Finish with fresh basil.
25. Creamy Herb Ricotta Gemelli
Source: rachaelhartleynutrition.com
Soft ricotta mixed with an abundance of fresh fall herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley becomes a delicate sauce that clings to twisted gemelli pasta. No tomato needed.
26. Butternut Squash and Pancetta Orzo
Source: hellofresh.co.uk
Crispy pancetta renders its fat as a base, then diced butternut squash roasts in it until caramelized, finally tossed with chewy orzo and Parmesan. It’s autumn in every bite.
27. Spinach Walnut Pesto Pasta
Source: nutritionfacts.org
Fall greens like spinach and arugula blended with toasted walnuts, garlic, and olive oil create a vibrant pesto that’s earthier than the traditional basil version. Toss with warm pasta.
28. Beef and Red Wine Rigatoni
Source: beeflovingtexans.com
Braised beef chunks simmered in a full-bodied red wine sauce with tomatoes and herbs create a restaurant-quality ragu that’s worth the slow cooking time. Serve with hearty rigatoni.
29. Creamy Apple and Cider Sauce
Source: allpurposeflourchild.com
Fresh apple cider reduced with cream, Dijon mustard, and thyme creates a tangy-sweet sauce that pairs beautifully with roasted chicken and pappardelle. Autumn in a sauce.
30. Roasted Fennel and Sausage Rigatoni
Source: foodandwine.com
Italian sausage browned until crispy is combined with roasted fennel that becomes soft and subtly sweet, creating a sophisticated pairing that’s less obvious than mushroom and sausage.
31. Kabocha Squash and Chestnut
Source: wildgreensandsardines.com
Roasted kabocha squash puree mixed with roasted chestnuts creates a luxurious, naturally sweet sauce that tastes like autumn itself. A touch of sage brings it all together.
32. Tomato Braised Short Ribs Pappardelle
Source: playswellwithbutter.com
Fall-off-the-bone short ribs slow-braised in tomato sauce create a rich, meaty ragu that’s perfect atop wide pappardelle ribbons. This is special-occasion pasta at its finest.
33. Eggplant and Walnut Caponata
Source: thekitchn.com
Roasted eggplant with caramelized onions, tomatoes, and toasted walnuts creates a chunky, complex pasta sauce with sweet and savory notes. It’s Sicilian meets autumn comfort.
34. Creamy Parsnip and Rosemary
Source: itsavegworldafterall.com
Roasted parsnips pureed into a pale, creamy sauce infused with fresh rosemary and garlic become a surprisingly elegant and flavor-packed dish. Nutmeg ties everything together.
35. Slow Cooker Beef Ragù
Source: recipetineats.com
Ground beef simmered all day in tomato paste, red wine, and herbs in the slow cooker makes a deeply flavored ragù that tastes even better the next day. Set it and forget it.
