5 Pasta Recipes To Give You That Rustic Warmth This Winter

When you’re looking for a recipe that calls you home, nothing envelopes you in that rustic sense of warmth and tradition like pasta. Pasta is testament to one’s own style, flavors and culture that is purely unique to those who make it. With winter around the corner, what better time to make that rich comfort food? Here are 5 pasta recipes to give you that rustic warmth this winter.

This recipe is perfect for when you’re craving that taste of Italy.

1. Alla Carbonara

This recipe holds a special place in my heart when it comes to Italian tradition and style. And while this recipe isn’t exactly what may come to mind when it comes to Italian food, this recipe is a true display of tradition and innovation. Want to give yourself the taste of Italy this winter? Try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• 1 package spaghetti
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 slices of bacon, cut into strips
• 6 eggs
• ½ cup pecorino romano, grated

Directions

Begin by taking a large pot and fill with water. Be sure to salt it! As salty as the sea. Cook your spaghetti according to the directions on the package. While that is cooking, take another pot and heat your olive oil, heating over medium high heat. Cook your bacon until lightly browned. This should take around 5 to 7 minutes. Add in your pepper and remove from heat. Separate your eggs and be sure to keep your yolks intact! Put the whites in a small bowl and the yolks in another. Whisk your egg whites until light and frothy. Add in your pecorino romano. Add some pasta water to the bacon and let simmer before removing it from heat. Add in your pasta to the bacon mixture and toss well. Add in your whisked eggs and cheese. Be sure to lightly toss the pasta lightly and quickly so the eggs don’t scramble. Add in your egg yolk. Season with your salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect for when you’re craving something light and fresh.

2. Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Are you craving something a little more fishy out of your pasta this winter? No problem! Shrimp scampi adds that perfect light meat of shrimp while balancing it out with the deep richness of the pasta. When you’re looking for something a little lighter out of your pasta this winter, this recipe is a must try for you. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 ¼ pounds shrimp prawns, shells with tails on or off
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 small pinch red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup parsley, chopped

Directions

Heat your olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add in your shrimp and season with your salt and pepper. Lightly saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Cook until pink. Stir in your remaining butter, parsley and lemon juice. Serve over pasta and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect when you’re looking for hearty warmth.

3. Sausage and Marala Pappardelle Pasta

While this recipe may be difficult to pronounce, this recipe is an absolute must try for any pasta lover. The sausage adds that perfect sense of sweet crunch to the pasta that sends a warm hug throughout your entire body. And the freshness of the cherry tomatoes help cut through some of that richness, leaving you with a light, fresh and hearty pasta. 

Ingredients

• 1 package of pappardelle pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 4 links of sausage of your choice ( note, any I personally like chorizo with this recipe to add that extra kick)
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pinch of red pepper flakes
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup cream
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch parmesan cheese

Directions

Begin by bringing a large pot to a rolling boil. Salt your water and follow the instructions on the package to cook your pasta. While that is cooking, take a small skillet over medium high heat. Add in your peppers, onions and let cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until they have softened. Season with your salt and add in your sausage and garlic. Cook for an additional 3 minutes. Add in your cream, marsala, tomatoes, rosemary and cook for 3 minutes. Or until the sauce has begun to thicken. Gently add your pasta into the mixture, folding it lightly. Remove from heat and lightly sprinkle with your parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is a great sense of nostalgia when you’re looking to warm yourself this winter.

4. Cheeseburger Macaroni

When you’re looking for the sweet comfort of pasta but don’t necessarily crave Italian food, this recipe is a perfect happy medium. This recipe brings back memories of my mom in the kitchen, prepping a quick and easy weekday meal. If you want a little nostalgia for your winter supper, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 pound lean beef
• 2 cups beef broth
• ½ onion, chopped
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 2 ½ cups macaroni 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups medium cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Proceed to add your olive oil and ground beef. Break into chunks, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add in your onion and cook for an additional 5 minutes until it has thoroughly softened. Next, add your broth, water ketchup, garlic powder, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine. Add in your macaroni and bring to a rolling boil then reduce and let cook for 10 minutes. In another pan, melt your butter over medium high heat and add your flour and milk. Add into your sauce mixture.  Whisk lightly for 1 to 2 minutes until your sauce has begun to thicken. Cool until sauce has thickened for about 4 to 5 minutes. Add cheese and noodle mixture, stir to combine. Serve and enjoy.

This recipe is the perfect balance of class and creaminess.

5. Lobster Mac And Cheese

Do you crave the ultimate balance of decadent and comfort? Look no more! Lobster mac and cheese is the ultimate blend of elegance and home cooking that will keep you wanting more. The sweet delicate meat of the lobster coupled with the rich creaminess of the mac and cheese blends together perfectly. When you want to class up your pasta gam, try out some lobster mac and cheese. 

Ingredients

Cheese Sauce

• 6 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup flour
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
• 3 ½ cups milk
• 3 cups fontina cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
• 8 punches of mascarpone cheese

Breadcrumb Topping

• 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 pinch lemon zest

Pasta

• 1 pound pasta
• 1 pound cooked lobster meat
• 1 dash parsley

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package in salted water. Drain and set to the side. While your pasta is cooking, melt your butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add your flour and cayenne pepper. Cook over medium low heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk until your flour has become a light brown. Add in your milk and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Lower the heat and let reduce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. While your cheese sauce is cooking, make your breadcrumb topping. Melt 2 tbsp of butter in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Add in your garlic and breadcrumbs and raise the heat to high. Lightly toast for 1 minute before stirring in your lemon zest and salt. Remove from the heat and let cool. Drain your pasta and add your sauce off the top, stir thoroughly to combine. The pasta should be hot enough that your cheese will just melt. Add in your lobster meat and set pan on low until thoroughly heated through. Remove from heat. Serve and enjoy. 

These pasta recipes are but a few that will wrap you in that perfect sense of warmth this winter. Whether you’re craving something classy or the nostalgia of home, there is a pasta recipe for everyone on this list.