The Most Yummy Pasta in the USA: A Carb Lover’s Dream

Let’s be honest—few things in life bring more comfort than a steaming bowl of pasta. Whether it’s drenched in a garlicky olive oil sauce, cloaked in rich Alfredo, or baked under layers of gooey cheese, pasta is the ultimate soul food. And in the USA, where cultural fusion meets culinary creativity, pasta dishes have evolved far beyond the classics. From Italian-American staples to bold, modern twists, there’s no shortage of drool-worthy pasta from coast to coast.

So, if you’re craving carbs (and let’s be real, when aren’t we?), here’s a look at some of the most yummy pasta you can find in the USA—because life’s too short for bland noodles.

1. Maccheroni alla Vodka – Carbone (New York City, NY)

A-list celebrities flock to Carbone, but it’s not just the retro-chic vibes drawing them in—it’s the Maccheroni alla Vodka. This dish is a masterpiece. The sauce is creamy, spicy, and just a little sweet, clinging to perfectly al dente rigatoni. It’s rich, indulgent, and has just the right hit of vodka to cut the fat. Carbone has turned a humble red sauce into high art.

2. Lobster Spaghetti – RPM Italian (Chicago, IL)

Luxury meets comfort with this stunning dish from RPM Italian. The Lobster Spaghetti is buttery, briny, and balanced by a bright tomato sauce with chili and garlic. Generous chunks of fresh lobster are nestled in every bite, making this a high-end twist on a classic that somehow still feels cozy. It’s the kind of pasta you’d book a flight for.

3. Cacio e Pepe – Felix Trattoria (Los Angeles, CA)

Few dishes prove the power of simplicity like Cacio e Pepe. At Felix Trattoria in Venice, chef Evan Funke nails it with hand-rolled tonnarelli, a Roman pasta that’s somewhere between spaghetti and linguine. The sauce? Just Pecorino Romano, black pepper, and pasta water—but when it’s done this well, it’s transcendent. Creamy, peppery, and loaded with umami, this is minimalist pasta perfection.

4. Sunday Gravy – Rao’s (Las Vegas, NV and NYC)

Rao’s is legendary for its old-school Italian-American fare, and the Sunday Gravy might be the most iconic of them all. This slow-simmered tomato sauce is studded with meatballs, sausages, and pork ribs, served over pasta like rigatoni or ziti. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying. Every bite tastes like Nonna’s been working in the kitchen all day just for you.

5. Truffle Tagliatelle – Osteria Mozza (Los Angeles, CA)

Earthy black truffle, fresh egg pasta, and a light touch of cream come together in this luxurious dish. Osteria Mozza’s Truffle Tagliatelle is elegant yet comforting, letting the truffle shine without overpowering the dish. It’s aromatic, silky, and absolutely addictive. If you love the finer things in life, this one’s calling your name.

6. Spaghetti with Crab – Bestia (Los Angeles, CA)

Bestia, one of LA’s most beloved restaurants, puts out bold flavors and creative pasta. The Spaghetti with Dungeness Crab is a standout: garlic, Calabrian chili, lemon zest, and crab meat make for a spicy, zesty, seafood-forward plate. It’s bright, briny, and has just the right amount of heat. A flavor bomb from beginning to end.

7. Lasagna Verde – Cotogna (San Francisco, CA)

Forget everything you thought you knew about lasagna. Cotogna’s Lasagna Verde is a refined version that features spinach pasta layered with a delicate béchamel, slow-braised meat sauce, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. It’s comforting without being heavy, and the spinach pasta adds an earthy dimension that makes it feel fresh and wholesome (sort of).

8. Spaghetti Carbonara – Roscioli (Coming to NYC in 2025)

While technically a Roman transplant, Roscioli is setting up shop in NYC—and pasta lovers should rejoice. Their Carbonara is a masterclass in authenticity: guanciale (cured pork jowl), Pecorino, egg yolk, and black pepper—no cream. It’s creamy without being cloying, salty, and peppery in perfect balance. It’s the real deal, and it’s worth the hype.

9. Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe – Lilia (Brooklyn, NY)

Chef Missy Robbins is a pasta genius, and Lilia is her playground. The Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe is her take on a classic Southern Italian combo, featuring chewy little pasta “ears,” spicy sausage, and bitter greens. It’s balanced with chili flakes, garlic, and olive oil for a bold, rustic dish that hits every note.

10. Bucatini all’Amatriciana – Monteverde (Chicago, IL)

Monteverde has earned a rep as one of the best pasta joints in the Midwest, and dishes like their Bucatini all’Amatriciana show why. Guanciale, tomato, chili, and Pecorino pack a flavor punch, while the bucatini—basically spaghetti with a hole down the middle—adds extra chew and sauce-clinging power. It’s spicy, savory, and soul-satisfying.

11. Short Rib Radiatori – Flour + Water (San Francisco, CA)

Radiatori are pasta shaped like little radiators, and they’re perfect for grabbing onto rich sauces. Flour + Water serves theirs with fall-apart tender short rib ragu, deeply savory and kissed with red wine and herbs. The whole thing tastes like a hug on a plate.

12. Gnocchi Sorrentina – Via Carota (New York City, NY)

Light, pillowy gnocchi baked in a bubbling tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella—what’s not to love? Gnocchi Sorrentina at Via Carota is comfort food at its absolute finest. It’s soft, cheesy, tangy, and deeply satisfying. Best enjoyed with crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

13. Squid Ink Pasta – Marea (New York City, NY)

If you want to shake things up, go black. Marea’s Squid Ink Fusilli is a seafood lover’s dream: briny, oceanic, and packed with flavor thanks to red wine-braised octopus and bone marrow. It’s dramatic, elegant, and totally unforgettable.

14. Baked Ziti – Rubirosa (New York City, NY)

A true comfort classic, Baked Ziti at Rubirosa is the real deal. Layers of pasta, ricotta, marinara, and gooey mozzarella make for a dish that’s everything cheesy dreams are made of. It’s casual, hearty, and exactly what you want on a chilly night in the city.

15. Pesto Trofie – Eataly (Multiple Locations)

Eataly may be a chain, but don’t overlook its pasta game. Their Trofie al Pesto—a Northern Italian classic—is fresh, herbaceous, and nutty. The Genovese-style pesto clings to the twisty trofie noodles, which are delightfully chewy. It’s bright, green, and tastes like summer in a bowl.

Final Thoughts: Pasta Is Personal

The USA may be far from Italy, but its pasta scene is anything but lacking. From sleek urban eateries to cozy family-style joints, American chefs are honoring tradition, pushing boundaries, and serving up some seriously yummy bowls of pasta. Whether you’re a die-hard red sauce devotee or an adventurous eater chasing squid ink and truffle, there’s a perfect plate waiting for you somewhere.

So go ahead—twirl that fork, mop up that sauce, and give in to the carb coma. You’ve earned it.

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