3 Pasta Dishes That Are Going Viral Right Now
Posted: 16 September 2025
From creamy spirals to spicy dishes
These three viral pasta dishes are easy, delicious, and perfect for weeknight cooking.
Gigi Hadid's Spicy Vodka Pasta
Ingredients:
- 400g shell pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Cook the shell pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing it to deepen in color.
- Carefully add the vodka to the skillet, letting it cook for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Pour in the heavy cream and red pepper flakes, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in the butter and grated Parmesan cheese, allowing the butter to melt and the cheese to incorporate into the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Viral Mac & Cheese (Tini’s Viral Recipe)
Ingredients:
- 400g elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions:
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually add the whole milk to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring to combine.
- If using, transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs, and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
Garlic Butter Pasta
Ingredients:
- 400g spaghetti
- 100g unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic butter. If the pasta seems dry, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
These three viral pasta dishes prove that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.
Grab your frying pan, boil that pasta, and get cooking...
