Looking for a pasta dinner recipe to serve at a dinner party? Our impressive pasta recipes are easy to make but are ideal for Italian themed dinner party, a special lunch or even a date. Try our delicious posh pasta dinner recipes to really impress without too much hassle.
Crab pappardelle arrabbiata
Make this fuss-free impressive pasta dish with fresh crabmeat and homemade confit chilli oil from 26 Grains in Covent Garden.
Macadamia pesto pappardelle
Ramp up your classic pine nut pesto with toasted macadamias and toss through long ribbons of pappardelle. Make this for an easy yet impressive weekend pasta recipe.
Lamb ragu pappardelle
Check out chef Louis Korovilas’s melt-in-the-mouth pappardelle with indulgent lamb ragu. This easy yet impressive recipe comes from Italian restaurant Bancone in Covent Garden. We have a full dinner party menu from Bancone here…
Vincisgrassi (pasta baked with parma ham)
Vincisgrassi, a type of baked pasta, comes from the region of Le Marche in Italy. It’s attributed to both General Windischgrätz (who fought Napoleon at Ancona), and to princisgrassi (meaning fat for the prince). In either case it’s very rich – some versions being even richer with the addition of sweetbreads and a pasta dough made with vin santo or marsala.
Baked lobster fideo pasta
Try this baked lobster fideo from David Gingell of Western’s Laundry, one of London’s hottest new restaurants. This recipe not only looks impressive, it’s packed with flavour too. It may take a little bit of effort but it’s definitely worth it. Try our full Western’s Laundry menu here…
Slow and low goat ragu with orecchiette
Check out this rich and flavoursome melt-in-the-mouth goat ragu served with al dente orecchiette pasta and a topping of nutty parmesan. This may take a little time but you’re sure to impress your friends and family at your next dinner party.
Cauliflower and fontina cannelloni
This recipe for cauliflower and fontina cannelloni comes from the chefs at Cantino Corvino, London. It’s a delicious, comforting pasta dish that’s great for a vegetarian dinner party (try our other recipes here).
Prawn orecchiette with roasted-shell olive oil
Check out our easy orecchiette recipe with large juicy prawns and punchy chilli. Impress your friends with this simple yet flavour packed pasta recipe this weekend.
Duck livers with caramelised onions, red wine vinegar sauce and pappardelle
This pasta recipe has bold flavours from duck livers and sweet caramelised onions. Duck livers make a simple, rustic sauce, perfect for a wintery dinner.
Linguine with samphire and prawns
The best recipe for samphire. This easy dish is made with linguine and pairs the sea vegetable samphire with king prawns in a super-quick pasta sauce that looks really impressive. Looking for linguine recipes? Try one of our favourites here…
Spaghetti with chorizo and rosemary pangritata
Check out this quick and easy spaghetti recipe with crispy chorizo and crunchy pangritata. Pangritata, sometimes called poor man’s parmesan, is a mix of fried breadcrumbs and herbs used add flavour and texture to pasta dishes.
Seafood fideuà
Fideuà is a Spanish dish similar to paella that uses short strands of pasta instead of rice. If you can’t find fideuà, break angel hair pasta into short pieces.
Pheasant ragu for pasta
A great introduction to pheasant: and makes a special sauce for pasta. This pheasant ragu goes well with tagliatelle for an impressive dinner party dish for friends.
Open spinach and ricotta ravioli
This classic blend of flavours is a favourite for a reason. Making it an open ravioli means that it’s quick and easy too, while it looks really impressive for a dinner party. Use dried pasta if you can’t find fresh, and cook according to packet instructions.
Posh porcini lasagne
Our posh porcini lasagne recipe is easy to make, vegetarian and feeds a crowd, perfect for family dinners or easy entertaining. Try our other vegetarian lasagne recipes here…
Angel hair pasta with lobster
Impress at your dinner party with lobster. Lobster tails are a good value way to buy lobster, though if you have access to whole lobster add the claw meat to the recipe as well.
Spaghetti alle vongole
Vongole or clams make a classic Italian pasta dinner tossed with linguine and herbs. The clams are cooked in dry white wine, which combined with the natural clam juice make a lovely rich sauce for the pasta. Serve as a smart main for 2 or a starter for 4.
Saffron mussels with orzo & tomatoes
This recipe for saffron mussels with orzo & tomatoes is really easy – it’s a one-pot – and takes under and hour but it looks fantastic and is packed full of delicious flavours. It’s a great new way to make the most of mussels and tomatoes.
Beef shin macaroni
This epic slow-cooked beef dish comes from legendary London steak house, Hawksmoor. Beef shin is cooked in red wine and stock until meltingly tender then macaroni and cheese is added and baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Make one of our macaroni cheese recipes from our collection here…
