3 Gourmet Pasta Recipes for Unforgettable Family Dinner

When it comes to family dinners, pasta dishes are a perennial favorite that never disappoints. Its versatility makes it a surefire hit, pleasing even the pickiest eaters and easily adapting to various dietary needs and preferences. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight meal or preparing a special Sunday dinner, a nicely cooked pasta can transform any evening into a memorable occasion.

What I love most about pasta is its incredible variety. With hundreds of different types, each paired with unique sauces and ingredients, pasta offers endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. In our pursuit of crafting personalized menus, pasta always tops the list as it allows us to cater to our clients' diverse tastes and preferences.

Here, we present three unforgettable pasta recipes for family dinner that have delighted our past clients and earned rave reviews. Perfect for special occasions or simply as a treat to surprise your loved ones, these recipes combine the finest ingredients with sophisticated flavors, ensuring an unforgettable private dining experience.

1.⁠ ⁠Bucatini with Butternut Squash, Ricotta, and Sage

This dish features hand-rolled bucatini pasta in a luxurious sauce made from roasted butternut squash, brown butter, and fried sage, finished with toasted walnuts for a delightful crunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bucatini pasta

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter

• 8-10 fresh sage leaves

• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the butternut squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, until tender and caramelized.

2. While the squash is roasting, cook the bucatini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and cook until crispy, then remove and set aside.

4. Add the roasted butternut squash to the skillet and mash slightly with a fork. Stir in the ricotta cheese and cook until the sauce is creamy and heated through.

5. Toss the cooked bucatini in the sauce, coating evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve the pasta topped with crispy sage leaves and toasted walnuts. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

2.⁠ ⁠Mushroom Cappaletti Pasta 

Cappelletti pasta filled with a rich mushroom duxelle, paired with roasted lobster mushrooms and a creamy mushroom sauce, finished with fresh parsley.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cappelletti pasta

• 1 pound mixed mushrooms (such as cremini, shiitake, and button), finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 shallot, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup dry white wine

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Mushroom Duxelle:

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and sauté until translucent.

2. Add the chopped mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and become dry and golden.

3. Stir in the white wine and cook until evaporated. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.

For the Roasted Lobster Mushrooms:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the lobster mushrooms with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread on a baking sheet.

2. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until tender and slightly crispy.

For the Mushroom Cream Sauce:

1. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the remaining chopped mushrooms and cook until tender.

2. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, cooking until the sauce thickens slightly.

Instructions:

1. Fill the cappelletti pasta with the cooled mushroom duxelle and seal the edges.

2. Cook the filled cappelletti in a pot of salted boiling water until they float to the surface, about 3-4 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, gently toss the cooked cappelletti with the mushroom cream sauce and roasted lobster mushrooms.

4. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

3. Sunchoke Agnolotti with Sea Urchin Butter and Black Truffle

Agnolotti pasta filled with a creamy roasted sunchoke purée, paired with a decadent sea urchin butter sauce and garnished with shaved black truffle.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound agnolotti pasta

• 1 pound sunchokes, peeled and cubed

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup sea urchin (uni)

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• Black truffle, for shaving

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh chives, chopped, for garnish

For the Sunchoke Purée:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the sunchokes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them on a baking sheet.

2. Roast for 25-30 minutes, until tender and caramelized. Transfer to a food processor and blend with ricotta cheese until smooth.

For the Sea Urchin Butter Sauce:

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the sea urchin and stir gently until combined.

2. Stir in the heavy cream and cook until the sauce is smooth and heated through.

Instructions:

1. Fill the agnolotti pasta with the sunchoke purée and seal the edges.

2. Cook the filled agnolotti in a pot of salted boiling water until they float to the surface, about 3-4 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, gently toss the cooked agnolotti with the sea urchin butter sauce.

4. Serve immediately, garnished with shaved black truffle and fresh chives.

THE VENDADOR TABLE

Craving a gourmet family dinner experience? Let us bring the restaurant to you for a night of culinary indulgence in the comfort of your home. Savor valuable time with your guests and allow us to carefully handle every element of your dinner party. Be a guest at your own party and never lift a finger as our Michelin-trained private chefs make for effortless entertaining.