Beneath the virtual smorgasbord of satisfying videos on TikTok, there is a community of dedicated foodies who create content that is both educational and downright entertaining. A shock to literally no one is that the hashtag #Pasta has accumulated a whopping 15.8 billion views on TikTok† Viewers are in luck, because thanks to the thriving noodle society on the app, there’s never a shortage of gooey, buttery pasta dishes to recreate at home when you’re in the mood to spice things up in the kitchen.
Think back to April 2020 when supermodel Gigi Hadid posted a self study for spicy vodka paste on her Instagram story, then started a viral trend that would boom on just about every social media platform, especially TikTok (which became the most downloaded app in the world in Q1 2020 with 315 million downloads only during that period).
Then there was the baked feta pasta from Jan. 2021 which quickly gained popularity and was even transformed into a goat cheese version (recipe below). Beyond social media fame, pasta is simply a staple for its relatively quick cooking time and sheer versatility — meaning if you wanted to, you could have fettuccine on Mondays and ravioli on Tuesdays without getting tired, because hey, they taste different.
When you’re done with the same old spaghetti for dinner twice a week, look no further because here are eight TikTok pasta recipes from #PastaTok proven to take your overnight noodles to the next level.
Creamy Lemon Pasta
For anyone who likes a little citrus zest, this creamy lemon spread is a dream come true. User @cookingwithbello describes his recipe for the dish in his September 2021 TikTok video, which has now been viewed 1.7 million times. The recipe consists mainly of linguine, lemon, whipped cream and fresh garlic cloves for a light, yet flavorful plate of pure bliss. Buon Appetito†
Not your mom’s buttered noodles
As a quick late-night meal (or TBH, just a regular daytime lunch), buttered noodles are and always will be the move. This childhood favorite with a twist is probably the most effortless of them all to whip up as the only extra ingredient here is good old chicken stock – as recommended by the user @britscookin† Add some parsley and fresh Parmesan cheese to taste and you’re done.
A Jar of Tuscan Pasta
If you’re craving something a little more filling, this Tuscan one-pot pasta from @halfbakedharvest is packed with chicken, veggies (hello, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes), and the creamiest sauce made with butter and cream to tie it all together. The best part? You can cook everything in one pan, so there is minimal kitchen clutter.
Penne alla vodka
At least one form of spicy vodka paste had to be on this list and this tutorial from @matthewinthekitchen is one for the books (ahem, your Favorites tab). Rich in garlic, shallots and red chili pepper flakes, this tomato cream paste can also be infused with vodka to perfectly balance the flavor.
Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
This version of the TikTok famous baked feta pasta is worth a try, especially if you’re not a big fan of feta cheese. User @feelgoodfoodie just swapped the block of feta for goat cheese, which has a lighter flavor and fluffier texture. PS, commenters even suggested trying this mozzarella recipe – a concept.
Giant Spinach Pesto Fusili
This giant spinach pesto fusili is more on the adventurous side, but what is pasta even if it’s not one of the more fun foods to eat? vegan cook @chefpriyanka says in her March 12 TikTok video, “This is no ordinary pasta, so this is no ordinary sauce.” Accurate, because the fusili is mega-sized and the spinach-jalapeño-pesto sauce officially makes this pasta dish greener than your average.
Spaghetti baked in the oven
Another one-pot wonder is this oven-baked spaghetti from @fooddolls that mimics a traditional spaghetti on a stovetop in just one pan. Place your uncooked pasta, herbs and sauce in an ovenproof dish before mixing in water and placing in the oven to cook. Make sure to finish with a generous amount of cheese and bake for a few more minutes until you have a golden, melted layer on top.
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Amp up the flavor with this creamy Cajun chicken spread that’s pepper-heavy and takes center stage on chili flakes. User @moribyan starts marinating chicken cutlets in an ultra flavorful chili powder before serving a nice sauce. Then she tosses mushrooms, red peppers and green peppers in a hot pan, mixed with whipped cream† cheese and herbs before adding the pasta. Considering how fraught this dish is, surprisingly all it takes is half an hour to prepare this naughty boy.
